Milk after 1

[Eri21]

Hi, my LO just turned one and I know that theoretically he should be on the cows milk and which has also been reminded me again by my HV.
However I don’t consume milk as a drink at all because, essentially it’s not designed for human consumption but animal ( just my opinion!! ).
I do eat it tho - cheeses, yogurts, cottage cheese etc , but I can’t bring myself to drink it “ raw” and I don’t wanna give it to my LO too at the moment. He’s eating the dairy products daily that’s not a problem.
I’ve researched the alternatives like soya growing up milk which has added vitamins and has calcium and protein levels similar to cows milk and thought trying that along formula if he refuses.
Has anyone been in a similar situation and been kinda reluctant about straight into cows milk for just ethical reasons?

No but my kids have/had cmpa so they couldn’t have it. I’m sure you know at this age they need 350 mg of calcium a day, added vitamin D and iodine. Apparently the new M and S oat milk and the alpro growing up oat milk are the best for under 2s for iodine levels.

Yes I feel exactly the same. My 18 month old had two bottles of cow and gate toddler formula a day to ensure she gets the vitamins. She also has the odd cup of oat milk as that’s what we drink.

My friend has exactly the same view as you op as in cows milk is for cows calfs etc but has given all 3 of her kids cows milk until 5 then let them decide for themselves. They recommend it for a reason in my opinion

I don't drink milk at all. Still buy it for my son.

They don't actually need cows milk as a drink at all, as long as they're getting their calcium from other food sources. A lot of babies/toddlers don't like or can't digest cows milk.

I do also know people that use milk alternatives if their kids still want a bottle/drink of milk before bed etc. Oat milk seems to be a really popular one as it's a bit creamier

My DS has cmpa so he has the alpro growing up milk, so if you don’t want to give your DS cows milk I think it would be fine. I gave up dairy for 16 months when bf’ing and I eat it now but still feel funny about drinking milk which I know is silly as cheese is no different. But I would always prefer to have oat milk in my coffee!!
As an aside though, is formula not made from cows milk? I thought it was essentially cows milk powder with added vitamins?

Thank you!
Yes the Alpro grow up soya one was on my mind but I haven’t seen the oat one at least not in my local Asda. Definitely will try it next time I’m in shops.

Why are you uneasy about buying a bottle of cows milk vs a tin of powdered cows milk?

P.s I understand it more if you're breastfeeding. Or if you're vegan.

But if formula feeding and not vegan then I'm not sure I understand why raising your infant on powdered cows milk is a non-issue but buying a bottle of cravendale is? Why does the ethics apply to one but not the other? Genuine question!

@Kinko

Why are you uneasy about buying a bottle of cows milk vs a tin of powdered cows milk?

It’s just my weirdness I guess and personal opinion. There’s just something about milk that makes me all queasy. I guess it’s the liquid form I can’t get past, I can’t drink anything ( coffee,tea, smoothies ) if it’s made form cows milk.

Fair enough. Follow the advice for kids with a cows milk allergy then like alpro grow, or go for a toddler milk/formula.

I gave dds formula for years partly because I don’t buy cows milk I don’t drink it. Yet that gets a lot of hostility from hv as they should be drinking cows milk (even though formula is cows milk adapted for baby humans). I think it’s just part of the anti formula thing. I gave them formula until peer pressure meant they wanted cows milk.

What I mean is that there is no reason in itself to give children cows milk. If you are giving them formula I would continue with that.

@Eri21 - I agree and think cows milk has a weird taste. It’s definitely weird to drink another creatures lactation. That being said, I also eat cheese- I suppose because it’s processed it doesn’t seem like milk.

Is formula much sweeter than cows milk?

Just thinking because I know breast milk is really sweet but I’ve never tasted formula. I’m wondering if that’s partly where the recommendations for moving onto cows milk comes from. So that baby/toddler isn’t having a super sweet taste

You risk passing on your 'queasiness' to your child.

My husband is a vegetarian but will feed our children meat as he wants them to make their own minds up.

I loathe fish but feed it to my children as I don't want them to miss out and not 'like' fish just because I don't.

Giving milk to your child does not mean you have to drink it your self.

I don’t give DD (15mo) milk as a drink, cows or other types. It’s not something we drink as a family, she just gets her calcium in food. Never really crossed my mind to give it to her as a drink.

I can’t bring myself to drink it “ raw”

Are you aware that you and your DC are different people? 😆
you don't have to drink it.

And what kind of ethics is this if you're fine with eating cheese and yogurt? Very selective ethics indeed.

I gave dds formula for years partly because I don’t buy cows milk I don’t drink it.

What do you think formula is made from? 😂

@BonnieBlue88 - I think formula is cows milk adapted for baby humans as I said in my post above (of course there are non dairy formulas too).

Just to clarify in case you are confused- I didn’t drink the formula. I gave it to dds and saw no reason to switch to cows milk as (1) it’s nutritionally inferior and (2) I don’t drink cows milk so wouldn’t otherwise buy it. Now they are older and see their friends drinking cows milk I buy it. But the formula was better for them.

Ps formula is not sweet (not the uk brands anyway). It tastes pretty ming (tried it out of curiosity) but babies and toddlers are used to it.

We don't drink cows milk, kids have both had oatly barista after 1. It's a fab milk!

I think sometimes there is confusion about switching to cows milk after 1. At this point, babies can drink regular cows milk, but this isn't to say they should. If not desired. I see nothing wrong with continuing to give formula if that is what is preferred. If HVs are against this, does anyone know why? I'm interested. My kids have all been BF until two, so I've never had this dilemma. After that they just continued with dairy products such as yoghurt and cheese. They've never really had cows milk as a regular drink.