5 month old and cow's milk. Should they have NONE at all?

[JuliaAndJohn]

I have started weaning my ds. He is exclusively breastfed and I am trying to introduce solids too. This morning I gave him half a weetabix mushed with cow's milk. He loved it. Can someone tell me if cow's milk (not as a main drink) can be bad for them? Should babies this age have NO cow's milk at all? I want baby to eat the same as my other two who are 2 and 3. I'm too busy to fuss about with small amounts of formula and baby jars.... and I don't express, just feed on demand.

Doesn't weetabix contain gluten which is also not advised before 6 months !

oh - both other sons started weaning at 4 months on HV advice. Now just going with the flow as he is always hungry. He is 21 weeks. Guidelines seem to change with the wind. I know WHO now say 6 mos., I say as long as is sensible, follow baby. ho hum

ok.... i've got it wrong. what are the dairy ad gluten risks?

J and J don't necessarily disagree with you re goign with the child, but early introduction of gluten and dairy are known to trigger allergies, asthma and eczema, hence the advice to avoid those specifically before 6 months regardless of whether you choose to follow WHO weaning guidelines.

I think it's to do with risks of developing allergies, as lactose and gluten allergies are both quite common, and there has been some resaerch that suggest that sometimes early weaning can exacerbate this.

... so he had his weetabix and milk this morning. Would I expect a reaction (if there was going to be one) by now? What might that reaction be?

Thanks all!

I would be very surprised if he had any sort of reaction now, J&J. Early weaning and introduction of gluten and dairy are however thought to be potential triggers of allergies etc later in life.

Weetabix are also a bit salty for ones that young.

Really, if you're trying to reduce your workload, it's easier to just keep breastfeeding, and at 6 months, just give him whatever the other ones are having.