Question about cows milk.

[Ouisie]

I have a 8 1/2 month old who eats very well. I have breastfed him until now but since I stopped the feeds at night and went to 3 a day, my milk supply is dropping. What does everyone think/know about giving cow's milk in a cup instead of his lunchtime feed - I'm too lazy to faff about with formula. There is no family history of allergy and he is really healthy and reaching all his milestones. I went to the baby health clinic today and the nurse said I basically had to use formula until he is one - surely this is just a con on the part of the formula companies?

I gave ds cowsmilk from 9months, just few sips in a cup with meals, I don't see the harm in it. (He also had formula throughout the day too for breakfast and before bed etc)
He had cows milk on his weetabix/readybrek from 6 months - whats the difference?!

I agree - although the nurse also said I shouldn't have been giving him cows milk on his cereal etc until 8 months! Whoops.... My DD who is 3 seems to be fine and I did exactly the same with her.

I agree - although the nurse also said I shouldn't have been giving him cows milk on his cereal etc until 8 months! Whoops.... My DD who is 3 seems to be fine and I did exactly the same with her.

Ouisie, I don't think this is just about the formula companies trying to make money. Formula milk is fortified with iron - the follow on milks particularly have a lot of iron, and cow's milk doesn't have much iron. Neither does breast milk. It probably depends upon your child's diet - if he is already having a very varied diet with red meat and leafy green veg, then it might be OK to just give cow's milk, but if not you should probably use formula to make sure he gets enough iron.
You can apparently use cow's milk in cooking, however.
NB I am not a nutritionist, just going by what I have read/ discussed with my own HV.
You can use cartons of ready made up formula, although it is more expensive that way.

It is the iron factor, yes. There is increased risk of allergy too the earlier milk etc is introduced, and whilst your baby may seem healthy, as the Mum of two lactose intols / one gluten intol, let's just say I'd skip it LOL!

But iron is the main issue, for the same reason SOME HV's recommend iron supplemntation to BF babies after six months, if exclusively BF, as maternal iron stocks drop then

Well DS does eat pretty well: meat, lentils, spinach etc and I cook it all (so you'd think I wouldn't be so lazy about formula!). Anyway I guess I should see how the breast feeding goes.

if diet is good and no history of allergy any time after 6 months is okay.