Confused about formula and cows milk

[SecrectFarleysNibbler]

This follows on from post about cow and gate vouchers really.

I am really confused about when you stop formula and start on cows milk? They sell 1-2 yr formula but people seem to be giving cows milk - what's the score?

Cows milk is fine as a main drink from 12 months. The other stuff was brought in to con parents into spending money on formula that's not needed.

cows milk is fine from 1 year. If you are worried about vitamins then use supplements (will still work out cheaper than buying formula)

From 1 year old it's ok to give normal full fat cows milk as their main drink. If you want to buy formula which has added vitamins etc you can use follow on milk. I think it might have fewer calories than formula for younger babies, because it won't be their main source of nutrition by then.

Thanks guys - am I right in thinking its okay for them to have cows milk after six months as an addition tot he formula/ Ie for cereal?

Yep. It's fine in cooking and things like cereal from weaning.

yes they can have cows milk in cereal, in food and in cooking from 6 months as long as the main drink remains formula/breastmilk. From 1 year they can have full fat cows milk as their main drink

Absolutely fine to give them things like rice pudding and cauliflour cheese made with full fat cow's milk from 6 months and cow's milk as a main drink from 12 months. If your baby has a balanced diet they won't miss out on any vitamins or iron, they will be fine. In fact there is some evidence that the added iron in follow on milk can be harmful see here.

There is some info on giving cow's milk from 12 months here .

Agree with the comments above about the formula for babies over one just being a con.