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Parenting

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Original poster

14 month old won’t drink cows milk. What to give him at bedtime?

17 replies

Bleubleu · 23/04/2019 13:41

We are trying wean our little boy off formula and onto cows milk ( been on formula since birth due to severe medical complications with myself after giving birth).

He will drink cows milk in the morning and through the day but goes into a full on melt down at bedtime if he doesn’t have his formula. It’s a long time from his tea to bed time (nursery have tea at 4pm). He has a snack at home but still wants the bottle.

Any ideas on how to swap over/any alternatives/ What other people do in this situation/ is he still able to have formula at this age? I’m aware there’s a 1-2 year growing up milk but he won’t drink this either. Only the 6-12 month formula.

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celtiethree · 23/04/2019 13:59

I won’t do any harm to carry on with formula - the only thing I’d be concerned about is teeth if they are falling asleep with the bottle.

I’d start diluting the formula over a number of weeks but make sure I’m compensating in food intake for the loss of nutrition. Eventually it should just be water !

NuffSaidSam · 23/04/2019 14:02

Just go cold turkey.

He will drink the cows milk if there is no other option.

Or he won't, but that's fine too he can just have an extra snack instead. Maybe yoghurt or a smoothie or some porridge or a mashed banana.

I assume you've tried the cows milk both warm and cold and from a bottle and cup?

Original poster

Bleubleu · 23/04/2019 14:27

Hi,

Thanks for your replies. He’s great with a sippy cup throughout the day but won’t take his milk from it at bed time. We sit with him and make sure he’s finished his milk before he goes to bed as I have been concerned about his teeth. Tried both warm and cold but he’s very fussy with it.

My main concern was over nutrition but he has plenty of dairy through out the day so hoping he will be ok. He’s our first so we aren’t very glued up on what I’d ok/what isn’t.

Will try the watering down method and see how that goes.

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99calmbeforethestorm · 23/04/2019 15:19

Does he need it? At that age they need 350mg of calcium a day.

Teddybear45 · 23/04/2019 15:36

Why not put the cows milk in the bottle?

Lolololololol · 23/04/2019 15:40

Hi, my son is the same, but he will drink the follow on milk. I've tried him with soy "growing up milk" and he actually seems to be enjoying it. It has all the vitamins and minerals in that he needs, but it's only £1.45 for a big carton, (I buy the alpro one) perhaps try him with this? X

bluebluezoo · 23/04/2019 15:46

Why are you trying to wean him off formula?

It’s more balanced in terms of human nutrition needs than cows milk. If your main concern is nutrition formula is far better than cows milk. If he needs milk, give the formula.

Both of mine had night time formula until they dropped the night time bottle at two.

dementedpixie · 23/04/2019 15:50

They don't need formula at that age as their nutrition should be from food not milk. The 350mg of calcium can be obtained through dairy products (cheese, yogurt, milk in cereal) and they need not even drink milk at all. Formula after the age of 1 is a marketing con designed to line the pockets of the formula manufacturers (I say that as someone who formula fed 2 children)

EvilDog · 23/04/2019 15:50

Don’t water down formula! It will hurt his little belly.

Try half and half formula/cows milk then gradually reduce the formula 1pz at a time until it’s all cows milk.

dementedpixie · 23/04/2019 15:52

You could try gradually mixing more and more cows milk into the formula

bluebluezoo · 23/04/2019 15:55

They don't need formula at that age as their nutrition should be from food not milk

Yes, but i don’t get why o/p is trying to replace formula with milk as if it’s better nutritionally.

Just stick with the formula until he stops with the bedtime bottles.

If the question is how to wean him off his bedtime bottle altogether that’s a different issue.

TaxiGood · 23/04/2019 15:59

You sound like s great mom OP, very caring and very on top of things. At the risk of sounding condescending, I want to tell you that this is one of those things that seems like a big deal now but actually doesn’t really matter. So don’t torture yourself — if it’s really hard now it’s OK to give up and try again later. A more months of baby formula won’t kill him. On other hand, he’s going to have to give it to sometime, and if you think now is the time that’s very reasonable too. I would suggest, however, that if you’re going to go cold turkey anyway you should cut out the milk at night altogether. It sounds like your DS is getting plenty of good nutrition throughout the day so really it’s just a comfort habit that has developed out of baby eating habits. It’s totally normal, but he’s not a baby anymore. In fact it won’t be too long before you’re potty training and then you definitely won’t want him to drink anything close to bedtime.

When I’ve found a routine that works with kids/babies I always hate mixing it up, esp if it involves the most important thing in the world sleep. But in most cases my anxiety ends up being worse than the change itself. When I had my first DS I just felt SO much pressure to do everything perfectly for my baby. Like you I was unable to BF and I carried a lot of guilt about that so I felt even worse. This may not be what you are going through at all so forgive me if I’m projecting. I just remember those days so well! And with such fondness, honestly. Babies are so delicious. You are clearly doing a fantastic job and so try not to sweat every little detail. It’s all OK. Sorry if this post is incoherent, I have to get to a meeting so no time to edit. Hopefully you get the point!

Original poster

Bleubleu · 23/04/2019 16:37

Thanks for your help everyone.

I was also under the impression that formula after the age of 1 is a marketing con. I don’t know where I’ve got this from and maybe I’m wrong but just had that idea in my head.

We’d never water down the formula, have tried mixing it with cows milk and reducing oz of formula every couple of days but he’s not stupid and notices straight away.

@Taxi- thanks for your support. It’s so hard knowing what is right and wrong. I have been the same with routine, any change and I’m always worried what the consequences will be but I’ve learnt to go with the flow a lot more as he’s got older!

I guess it’ll all sort itself in time when he’s ready for change.

OP posts:

museumum · 23/04/2019 16:41

They don't 'need' formula at his age, it is marketing that claims otherwise. But equally, there is no harm in continuing with it if it's keeping him happy so long as you brush his teeth after.
Personally, I wouldn't sweat it yet.

bluebluezoo · 23/04/2019 16:57

I was also under the impression that formula after the age of 1 is a marketing con

It’s the follow up and toddler milks that are a marketing con. Birth-6m formula is fine for as long as needed, it’s just legally they can’t advertise this, only the follow up versions.

Unless you have issues affording formula and are choosing cows milk because it’s cheaper, there’s no point swapping formula for cows milk if you don’t want to.

Original poster

Bleubleu · 23/04/2019 17:17

Thanks for your advice.

No issues affording anything. Just wanted some direction in what is the best thing to do. It’s good to get others opinions and youve all been helpful.

OP posts:

LollySox · 23/04/2019 23:04

My little girl is exactly the same. She won't drink cows milk (beyond a few sips) no allergy or anything she just doesn't fancy it (but wasn't super keen on formula either). So she just has water but we make sure she has calcium from yoghurts, cheese and milky cereal. As she won't have milk before bed we give her a small supper of porridge made with milk and this works a treat as she sleeps 12-12.5 hours every night now. Hope this helps!

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