cow's milk at 10-11 months ok?

[Lewis's Mummy]

Hi. DS2 is now almost 9 months and I have to start 'transitioning' him to child care in April - he'll be 11 months by then. He was exclusively breastfed til almost 7 months when he started taking some solids. He has always refused a bottle of any sort and doesn't drink from a baby cup, preferring a big boy cup like his brother... I'm fine with that, except that for child care he may still need something other than water... he does enjoy his solids on most occasions, although prefers to self-feed so it's tricky to work out how much is actually going down his throat as opposed to the floor or high chair! He still breastfeeds about 6 times a day, which includes 2 quick feeds overnight at the moment. Do you think I can send a little cow's milk for him when he starts at child care? I have always hated expressing and can't see the point in starting that now... We've tried a little formula to see if he'll take that from a cup, but that's a definite no too. He just loves his booby milk and finger foods! So is cow's milk ok? I know the supposed 'magic' age is 12 months, but will a month or 2 make much difference?

[MantaRay]

I really wouldn't give a child cows' milk as a drink under 12 months. It is not recommended because the proteins etc are too much for their little digestive systems. Small amounts on cereal etc, and even more processed dairy like yoghurt and cheese are ok, but the dairy milk itself as a drink is too much. In my experience babies from 7 months or so can easily go without a milk drink during the day at day care - water and solids is enough for that period of time and if they need more milk they will make up for it before and after the time at day care. He might not be eating much now but if he needs the food/drink while you are not there he will take what he needs. I, and many other mums find that at 11 months it is easy to continue breastfeeding while working even without expressing.

[ubba82]

Like MR said, i wouldnt give it to him as a drink. Water will be sufficient and will quench his thirst better than anything else.

[feeb]

As others have said water and solids will be sufficient.

DS1 was 11 months old when I returned to work (he was home with DH on weekends when I worked) I was worried about him as he hardly drank any water, but I just made sure DH gave him puree fruit, cheese, yougurt and custard to make up fluids.

He is now an awesome water drinker and still BF and wont drink much cows milk at 2 and 1/2.

[Frangipani]

I started back at work 2 weeks ago- DS2 was 11.5months. Though he is not going to day care yet (waiting for a position still)- so my Mum i looking after him the 3days i work. We actually started giving DS2 a small amount of cows milk on its own around 11months (i didn't know those reasonings MantaRay gave) and we had no issues (but we might've got lucky). My DS2 doesn't have an issue with the occasional formula either- though he did at first with a different brand- just wouldn't drink it. I too hated expressing so went with formula so i could have a few nights out and have some 'me time'.

Anyway...my mum gives him some formula before his day sleep/s - usually in a sippy cup too- seems to drink it a little better. I don't think he really needs that day milk though- and even the amount is getting less and less each few days. Once this tin is gone that is it. I only got this last tin formula cause they were on special a couple of months ago. I think if i hadn't have pick it up then i too would've probably just done cows milk...if my mum felt he needed it (i trust her judgement). Though as i said i wasn't sure of those reasons why your not suppose to...so i'm probably not got the best advise. Just thought i'd share my experience.

[Fleur]

As said before - a little bit on cereral, or as yoghurt etc would be ok, I wouldn't be giving it in large amounts (bottles or sippycups) just yet.

Maybe try just water & see how he goes - he might do things differently there. Pie has 3 totally different needs & ways of behaving depending on whether she is at FDC, LDC or home.

Also, have you tried cow's milk yet? I'm just thinking, if he won't take formula, he might not drink straight cow's milk either, we had to wean Pie at the age of 14mths by mixing it with EBM until she got used to the taste. So that would make it a non-issue anyhoo....

[Lewis's Mummy]

Thanks guys. I'll leave him just with water and see how they go with that. MR, it's the making up for it bit I'm dreading getting up more than the 2 or 3 times a night I do now is not something I'm looking forward to. That on top of the extra stress of just being back at work and trying to keep things at home going together with all the stuff I'll have to give up again like playgroup and kindergym... makes me wonder why the heck I'm going back... and I'm only going back part time, but work didn't make that easy last time, so can't see how it will have changed much this time around Anyhow DS2 is hardly fading away, so guess we'll see how it goes and cross each bridge as it comes up.

[Tammie]

I too have heard all the above reasonings for not giving cows milk before 12 mths... But I did it anyway.I do think it partially comes down to your own child.

My son started cows milk at about 10-11 mths. By that stage he was only having 2 bottles per day and additional calcium through cheese and yoghurt etc.

I made the decision to give him cow milk because he had not shown any sensitivities to other foods, no allergies had been apparent and he had not had any concerns processing other food (by this time E was eating solid meals and only drinking water during the day). In this case I thought I would try it, but I was very careful to keep an eye on him at first and his poking etc. The one really positive reaction he had was no more spewing like he did on formulas - that was a great day for me!

Nb: I had bf for only 3 mths when I stopped for personal reasons. At this time I switched to formula.