Do I have to swap formula for cow's milk at one?

[musicmaiden]

My 11mo DS is a bit of a flake when it comes to eating. Some days he will eat well but mostly he still isn't massively into food.

He currently has 3 cups (6oz per cup) of formula. He is obviously not ready to drop the volume further as he loves his milk and would probably have more if offered.

Now as he approaches 1 year old I suppose soon he should be transitioned to cow's, but I am a little reluctant as the formula has more vits and iron which I think he probably still needs given his solids intake is not great.

Can he stay on formula for a while longer, or should I start to mix in cow's when he turns one? I don't think I want anything to do with that growing up milk stuff as I suspect a big con there.

Thanks for all advice!

Of course not! If you and your ds are happy, stick with it. Cow's milk is ok with a full and balanced diet.

have you thought about trying a 'growing-up' formula for toddlers. These have more iron than regular infant formula. A baby is born with around 6 months worth of iron (to coincide with weaning) from maternal stores. After that, his iron must be sourced from his diet, this is hard to do with young kids, particularly sketchy eaters.

You can switch to cows at one, most people do, but you don't have too.

I'd switch him to cows and give a multivit & mineral (drops). It's much cheaper and less processed.

He'll eat better when he's ready, which will probably be soon. But, don't forget that a one tear old doesn't actually need all that much food.

I found it was better to have formula in the house, than the full-fat milk that over 1s should have, as it was more likely to go off quickly, and I hate full-fat in my tea.

So, feel free to keep on going with the formula if that's what you prefer...