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Weaning

Find weaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Weaning forum. Use our child development calendar for more information.

Original poster

Oh Bum have ran out of formula would it be very bad to give my 11 month old whole cows milk?

29 replies

LedodgyChristmasjumper · 04/12/2008 17:04

Won't be able to get to the shop until later. He's fully weaned and a big boy if that makes a difference?

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 04/12/2008 17:07

I'd try a bit and see how he gets on.

IllegallyBrunette · 04/12/2008 17:07

Well ds was 10mths when I moved him onto cows milk, so I would say it is fine, but thats just my opinion.

2pt4kids · 04/12/2008 17:08

its not going to hurt for one day

Original poster
LedodgyChristmasjumper · 04/12/2008 17:08

Cool thanks I'll try it. I reckon he has enough iron in his food anyway and it's only a month. I hope he does like it as it will save us a bomb!

OP posts:
claireybaubles · 04/12/2008 17:08

Fine as a once or twice off, even for a day or two it wouldn't hurt imo.

DS (also 11 months) has been having cows milk once a day for a couple of weeks now alongside bm

Original poster
LedodgyChristmasjumper · 04/12/2008 17:09

Do you reckon if he likes it I can swap permenantly now or not?

OP posts:
Mercy · 04/12/2008 17:10

Years ago cow's milk was often diluted in such circumstances.

I would say it's fine as a one off (I assume he's had milk with cereal and in sauces)

It's just not meant to used as their main milk drink.

Original poster
LedodgyChristmasjumper · 04/12/2008 17:10

permanently even.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 04/12/2008 17:10

i'd switch him if he likes it, tbh.

Original poster
LedodgyChristmasjumper · 04/12/2008 17:12

Yeah I think you are right. I hope he likes it as moneywise it will make a huge difference. Also why buk the trend of third baby syndrome he's already tried biscuits and chocolate buttons and the other two didn't touch them until they were around 2.

OP posts:
Mercy · 04/12/2008 17:13

I didn't give mine cow's milk until they were about 15 months but that's only because there is a family history of asthma/hay fever/eczema.

expatinscotland · 04/12/2008 17:14

if he tolerates it well, i don't see why not.

the girls weren't ready until they were about 14 months, but DS is a much bigger baby who is already rolling and grabbing and doing stuff they weren't doing till much later, so i know where you're coming from.

WalkinginWaynettaWonderland · 04/12/2008 17:15

I personally always find it very strange that babies go to sleep when they are 11 months and 30 days old 'unable' to have cows milk, and when they wake up the following day lo and behold, cows milk a go-go!

shootRudolphinthehip · 04/12/2008 17:19

My huge DS was on cows milk at 11 mths as formula was costing a bloody fortune the way that he went through it. By 11 months their 'nutrition' is coming from food and not milk so as long as he is getting plenty of fat and calcium in his diet then I think it's ok to make the swap (actually my HV, who is a smasher, said it was ok).

Original poster
LedodgyChristmasjumper · 04/12/2008 17:23

Yeah he eats like a horse and is very tall etc. He's wearing clothes now that my just year old ds was wearing this time last year!

OP posts:
Original poster
LedodgyChristmasjumper · 04/12/2008 17:24

*just 3 year old ds1!

OP posts:
Mercy · 04/12/2008 17:27

Weaning guidelines are there for a reason though.

Say, as an example, the speed limit is 30 mph but most people drive a bit faster than that, so there has to be a cut off point otherwise everyone would go at their own perceived safety limit with the potential for numerous accidents.

Original poster
LedodgyChristmasjumper · 04/12/2008 17:29

Yeah that's true Mercy. It stops people giving it at ridiculous ages but 11 months I think is on the border. I've just read online that you can start giving copws milk as they approach 12 months so I think it's a close call.

OP posts:
ClausImWorthIt · 04/12/2008 17:50

Well when my DS1 was born the advice then was that cows milk could be introduced at 6 months!

When DS2 came along (he's 13 now) the guidelines had changed - but I didn't take any notice as we hadn't had any issues with DS1.

(And yes, before you all flame me, I know that there are reasons why they changed the guidelines!)

As long as he doesn't have any obvious sensitivities to dairy then it's not going to harm him.

KristinaM · 04/12/2008 17:53

i woudl do it and not worry. after all formula is based on cows milk anyway isnt it?

Mercy · 04/12/2008 17:54

I think he'll be fine, I completly understand your pov

As I said, mine were at risk of asthma etc but I think even for one or 2 days I would have given them cow's milk if I'd run out of formula.

Seona1973 · 04/12/2008 18:04

it's not just the dairy thing that is the issue though (in a younger baby) it is the lack of iron and vitamins that can cause problems e.g. Iron deficiency anaemia. At 11 months they should be getting most of their nutrition from solids so i wouldn't think giving cows milk would cause any problems.

nowwearefour · 04/12/2008 18:06

i would just do it. save the expense of buying more formula. plenty of people i know have done it. maybe give multivitamins if you are concerned about that aspect - depends if he is a good eater or not i guess.

SilkStockings · 04/12/2008 18:24

I'd imagine it's fine, especially if a good eater. Better than nothing for sure. I might go for a glass myself.

Tinkjon · 04/12/2008 18:27

I switched DS onto it when I ran out of formula at about 11 months and 2 weeks. If it was very close to 11 months (ie, only just a few days) I'd probably just buy one more tin of formula and switch after that, but if he was closer to 12 months I wouldn't worry at all and switch him permanently then. Either way, certainly no harm for a day or so. especially if your DS is having vitamin drops as the government recommend these days.