I know it's technically not ok, but is it really?

[turqouise]

My son is nine months old and has been exclusively breastfed since day one. He feeds to sleep for his nap and for bed time. He is being served three decent sized meals a day packed with fruit and veg, how much he eats varies (a fair chunk usually covers my floor!) but he is feeding himself for the main part and then I spoon feed a yoghurt, or a fruit pouch or something on occasion too.

He no longer breastfeeds apart from when he wants to go to sleep, if he isn't on the cusp of falling asleep he flails around too much, is too nosey at what else is going on and often bites and I'm having to stop every feed. I have tried to introduce a cup of formula to no avail. He will happily glug down a cup of milk with his meals though!

I know I know, everything online says breastmilk or formula until twelve months, buuut if he is having atleast two breastfeeds a day, and three meals is it that bad to have a few cups of milk as well? I have read about 'nursing manners' but he is just too interested in everything including testing out his new teeth and if I'm not getting any breastmilk down him in the day anyway, because the feeds are a nightmare surely he's better with a few cups of milk?

He has Arlas big milk with the added vitamins as it's what my older child has. If that makes it a teeny bit better...

I’d say in addition to bf is fine but not instead of.

I don’t know the “right” answer to this question, but my son started drinking cow’s milk during the day at 9 months. He was in nursery as I had to go back to work by that point, but he still had morning and night feeds and I didn’t stop breastfeeding until 14 months. He wasn’t a brilliant eater either so it sounds like you’re doing well!

My HV told me to start giving cows milk around that time!

I think it has to do with the protein content of cow milk amongst other things. It is too high and should be diluted a bit before 12 months.
From the CDC website : https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/foods-and-drinks/cows-milk-and-milk-alternatives.html

At 12 months old (but not before), your child can be introduced to cow’s milk. Before your child is 12 months old, cow’s milk may put him or her at risk for intestinal bleeding. It also has too many proteins and minerals for your baby’s kidneys to handle and does not have the right amount of nutrients your baby needs

You need a follow on milk I think. My baby wa FF on soya formula and around this time would have the toddler soya sometimes. I'd definitely speak to hv though as I don't know about bf babies