9 month old, cows milk

[Caspianberg]

Ds is approaching 9 months. He is still breastfed 5-8 times in 24hrs. Eats 3 meals per day

I have been trying to get him drinking water at each meal but he takes just a sip, and spits most out. Is it ok to give him cows milk as a small drink with meals at this age? I see it’s fine in meals, so is the same?

As far as i can remember, up til 1 their main drink should be breast milk or formula, as it has the balance of nutrients they need most. I would keep trying with the water and not bother with cows milk til you're weaning.

If you're still giving breastmilk as the main drink then a I can't see an issue giving the odd drink of cows milk alongside a meal

Mine had the odd cup of cow's milk at that age and I was BFing. I was always told it was fine as long as it wasn't there main drink.

I would add though that he doesn't have to drink anything with his meals. I wouldn't get too stressed about him not drinking the water, although he might like the novelty of a straw?

You’re not supposed to give a drink of cows milk until they turn 1. Up until then it’s either breast milk or formula. If baby is having 5-8 feeds a day I don’t see why they would need a cup of cows milk? Just carry on giving sips of water. My baby is the same age and is rubbish at drinking out of a sippy cup but will take the odd sip. We just try every meal and he has breastfeeds outside of meals.

ok thanks. I was told they should be drinking 2-8oz of water between 6-12 months on top of breastfeeds.

I don’t think he’s dehydrated, he still feeds loads overnight and daytime! But I was hoping he might take a bit of another liquid as he has refused bottles so far. I could give formula again to try in beaker or cup, I just figured if cows milk is fine on say weetabix, surely it’s the same if he drinks 1-2 oz.

He’s currently having ready made formula on porridge. I was going to phase this out for cows milk though over the next few weeks when current lot runs out

@Emmacb82 - it’s more so I can try leaving him with dh a few hours. At nearly 9 months, the longest I have been is 90mins! Now he eats food, I figured if dh can feed him a meal and some water/ cows milk from cup, maybe I can get a few hours break occasionally

Cow's milk doesn't have enough nutrients to be the main drink. The odd drink of cows milk alongside a main drink of breastmilk is not going to do harm

ok thanks. I was told they should be drinking 2-8oz of water between 6-12 months on top of breastfeeds

Not sure who's told you that OP. It doesn't mention it on Kellymom or the NHS website. He will get all of his fluids from you, there really is no need to worry although like I said if you did want him to drink more water you could try a straw or a different cup?

Cow's milk doesn't have enough nutrients to be the main drink. The odd drink of cows milk alongside a main drink of breastmilk is not going to do harm

Exactly demented

My dcs got on best with the tommee tippee first cup for water. They did only take sips to start with but eventually took more

I’m not in the Uk, this was local paediatrician when I last went for his vaccinations.

I will try the suggestions of a straw though, as hadn’t really thought he was old enough to try.

At 9 months I'd probably offer formula instead of cows milk alongside a meal if necessary. It's fortified whereas normal milk is not. But in a couple of months cows milk would be fine. I think a multivitamin is recommended when you decrease formula/breastfeeding. I'd also keep offering water, I found it took mine a while to get used to drinking water. One was more keen than the other.

I'd say you're fine to give cows milk as a drink along with food and Breast milk.

The concern is if it was completely replacing BM, which it clearly isn't.

The Kellymom info is here OP. I'd honestly ignore what your Paed has said on this one. I've been given some very strange and sometimes dangerous advice on BFing from HCPs in te past. If the Paed mentions it again, ask fir a link to the researchthere won't be one in all probabilit

They should be on breast milk or formula until they're 1. I used to give my baby water with meals at 9 months when I was weaning but his main drink at that point was formula

And cow's milk is fine on cooking and on cereals from 6 months too OP. No need to use formula in food once they've hit 6 months

If hes still BFing from you as his main drink, then a cup of cows milk each meal time wont hurt.

The rule for cows milk is to stop parents/carers giving cows milk as the MAIN food. As long as BF/FF is still the main source, its ok.

One last thing. If the Paed is concerned about the level of fluids your LO is getting, it could have been much better advice to suggest you added in another BF.

ok thanks. I was told they should be drinking 2-8oz of water between 6-12 months on top of breastfeeds.

That is a lot! My DS probably manages 2oz a day at most - he just doesn't seem to enjoy water

There was no concerns, they just asked what solids he was on and then mentioned the water thing.

Ds has as many breastfeeds a day as he likes, I don’t limit. He also still wakes often and feeds half the night, so I very much doubt he’s dehydrated.

Il try giving him 1-2oz cows milk in a cup or beaker at breakfast every other day to start with and see then. If he seems fine after a week or so il stick with it, if not I will continue buying mini formula a while longer. It’s just so expensive here ( about x3 price uk). But he’s only getting through one individual carton every 2 days added to porridge or meals so it’s not the end of the world a few more weeks

It must be hard not getting a break. If it’s only one drink it’s not going to make much of a difference but it’s important that you can have some time to yourself too. I’m switching over to bottles at the moment as will be going back to work soon so I only really breastfeed in the morning and overnight if need be. Not that I can go anywhere 🤣