AJP: I know, Iknow a lot of sources say it's all wackity dooo - but I have to say from the mountains of research I have done and the colloquial evidence cows milk is for cows babies not humans and it really can do nasty long term stuff...
Have a little google about the process of homogenisation and pasteuration and RAW milk and see what I mean... Hve a crying bub so scuse the rush...
Much of the confusion with dairy is that there are different issues - there is the issue of allergy, intolerance, and also the unsuitability of dairy due to it's completely different composition to human milk. WRT to allergy, the guidelines have recently changed and it is now recommended that foods that are linked to allergies be introduced earlier - at around 6 months - rather than later. So in terms of allergy, this does apply to dairy too, although certainly not cows' milk at that age - rather the more processed versions, especially yoghurt. However, this is complicated by the other issues which might suggest a delayed introduction. It's pretty confusing, and not something that even highly qualified dieticians all agree on.
I guess at the end of the day all you can do is to trust your instincts!
We have a host of allergies, hayfever, eczema, anaphylaxis etc in our family histories - the info the MCHN's and nutritionists gave us with my kids was yoghurt around 8 months. Not saying it is right or wrong - just what is given out.
As always Heaven, take it all in and make up your own mind
all dairy is fine. Cow's milk is fine, just not a main milk (which it wont be coz i know ur BFing). Cheese is good, tho DD didnt like cheese till about 4 weeks ago. Jalna is great too. any dairy is fine, just in small amounts till her tummy gets used to it. So a little grated cheese in her mashed potatoe etc.
yeah there's so much information out there, and as someone said, there seems to be a new recommendation every 10 years which doesn't help (particularly when all and sundry have conflicting advice for you!).
We're in the situation that DS has eczema, dermagraphia and occasional outbreaks of hives. DH is sensitive to milk protein and just does not tolerate dairy well at all. We've just had the skinpr!ck tests done for DS, and he came up fine for dairy. And I also have a condition called fructose malabsorption - so both parents with gut/dietary issues.
The two major bits of advice we've had:
from a dietician at the Royal Childrens - give him as much variety as possible (within the normal age guidelines) while he is getting breastmilk. Apparently studies are showing that for things like coeliac's, having BM while being challenged with some of the so-called "allergy" foods is showing up as quite protective. So with that in mind, we've given him full range of fruit, veggies, wheat etc.
from the allergy doc at the Royal Children's - start him on cow's milk at about 1 year (we'll have to just before)... but keep an eye on his skin, as a clear result on a skinpr!ck test does not rule out different types of irritation/sensitivity. (which makes sense, because my DH's reaction is not an allergy per se).
So obviously depends on your situation, family history, bub's health etc as to what you decide to do. But I thought you might be interested to see what advice we'd received. We gave DS bits of cheese, yoghurt etc from about 8-9 months (mainly cos I was a bit nervous to do so before that) but I've held off on large amounts of cow's milk. He's had traces of it in things.
Heaven, I know you are not talking about cows' milk, so it's a bit irrelevant for you. However for others, while the guidelines now say that dairy is ok from 6 months (wrt allergies at least), this does not include cows' milk. Once a baby has had more processed forms of dairy and seems to be ok, small quantities of cows' milk could possibly be introduced before 12 months - but ideally it is better to wait until 12 months.
I am so glad you posted that MR.
It does have to be remembered that we are one of the few countries that have such a huge preoccupation with dairy foods. We are also one of the handful of "industrialised" countries that have such a high incidence of asthma and other autoimmune conditions, allergies and cancer.
Everytthing in moderation is often used as a happy saying - but with dairy it just isn't as necessary as our culture believes and could possibly be harmful.
Some kids will be fine at first - but autoimmune conditions often don't surface until much later, as with asthma, diabetes etc.
It's just another way to look at it - and as with all areas of parenting a decision that only the parent can make. However, just because 'everyone' does it doesn't mean it is always the best way.
I know how conflicting all the info is - it's an absolute mindfield. You can only do what your intuition, knowledge and research leads you to as the best decision for you & yours...
We gave yoghurt from 6-7 months and she loved it although it did some funky stuff to her poo!
We started cheese and a little milk on her breakfast at 10-ish months, we did the cheese in mashed sweet potato and potato, some white sauce and pasta/rice, things like potato bake etc, and a slice or two to nibble on sometimes too, but I get a bit funny with giving her a lot of cheese as its so high in salt! She does LOVE toasted cheese sandwichs, and will eat half a sadnwich and then try to seagull mine!
She now drinks some straight cows milk from a sippy cup. Has since 11.5months. We don't push it though, its there if she wants it and sometimes she does, sometimes she doesn't. I like to give her the option.
Last edited by Indadhanu; September 4th, 2009 at 10:46 AM.
Limeslice - if she has a bit of a reaction to eggplant - just be careful wiht the other night cap veges. It is not unusual for a reaction to these vege to occur... Just in case you weren't aware.
) too Falguni!!!!
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks