the whole cows milk = 12 month thing.....help?

[dandycandyjellybean]

My ds is eating extremely well, and is 11 months. I have been trying to gradually introduce cows milk as an additional drink (he still has about 15 oz formula daily) but he really doesn't seem that keen. I have tried mixing it with formula too, but he still pulls a face and doesn't bother. The only thing I haven't tried is mixing it with formula and putting it in a bottle so far it has been in a sippy cup with his meals. He will eat some of my dh's cereal with it on and loves it. Any suggestions? Once he's a year old, how much cows milk is he supposed to have anyway? And does it make a difference how much other dairy stuff he has? Sorry if I seem ignorant, just haven't come accross this sort of info. Cheers in advance.

Hi cubby. As far as I'm aware (I've got two dds) cows milk can be given from a year old and I don't think I ever restricted mine - they could have as much or as little as they wanted but I often found that they may ask for more because cows milk isn't as filling as formula - cows milk is looked upon as simply a drink whereas formula is more of a meal. I weaned both my children onto cows milk by just putting an ounce of cows in with formula you've already made up and gradually increasing the amount of cows day by day. If your DS doesn't like it he soon will when he becomes thirsty! Especially if he likes cows on cereal! Also I would suggest you try putting cows/formula into a bottle and give him juice/water in a beaker - that way he'll drink the milk because he's used to a bottle and will also drink the water/juice because he'll like the idea of trying a beaker! Both my children were still on bottles at his age so don't see it as a problem atleast whilst you are trying to wean him onto cows.

As far as other dairy stuff is concerned - if he likes yoghurts they're a brilliant source of calcium etc - a Dr once told me there is more calcium in a yoghurt than in milk. Other ideas are milky puddings, porridge (made with cows), grated cheese etc

I don't know if any of this helps but good luck anyway!

20 fluid oz/day for children age 1-2, or equivalent in other milk products. That's a British pint. I think he "should" be having that now in formula, too.

Sorry, I meant he should still be having 20 fluid oz of formula, don't know about mixing them in a bottle but I would probably try it. 20 oz/1 pint is the goal, anyway.

erm well up to 12 months they need 600mls (20 oz or 1 pint) and after 12 months they need 350 mls or 2/3 pint, but should drink know more than 750 mls (24 oz).