MCHN advice about cow's milk for 12 month old

[Persephone1]

I don't think cow's milk is better at all.

It is possible however, that she meant that it's okay to give cow's milk after 12 months - before then it's not recommended. It doesn't mean you should give it (and I don't see why you would substitute BF with cow's milk), just that it's okay to give it then, ifkwim? I read something today that said that if FF your baby, you should use a non-cow's milk formula up to 12 months.

[Fig]

Persephone: she definatly meant stop bf and replace with cow's milk. She also said something about 'there are people out there who think its ok to bf till they are two, blah blah, but you need to put him on cow's milk'. That is almost verbatim what she said!!

Been there done that with MCHN advice before so I wasn't about to take it as gospel, just wanted to find out if there was actually any logic to what she was saying.

Shanti: I didn't know that about toddler formula having more sugar - good to know, thanks.

[onthefly]

She really seems to have her wires crossed or something It's very strange advice.

[Heaven]

Yeah those people out there who think it's ok to breastfeed until two are crazy

What a complete nutter!! That's what the WHO recommends and what she should be telling people!!

No idea why she would think that milk made for cows would be better than your perfect milk specifically made for your little one.

Keep up the good work!

[Sterla]

What strange (and frankly, quite bad) advice to give.

My DS is almost 20 months old, and he doesn't have cows milk as a drink - he doesn't need it. He has cows milk on cereal, and has had the a small amount to taste, but I don't offer it as a drink - it's booby or water all the way to drink here . Sounds like your DS knows what he wants anyway .

[MummaSue]

OMG , she sounds like my mother!! "when you gonna stop breast feeding that baby?" *sigh*

[Olive]

oh my can you look into whether or not yoou can talk to someone higher regarding this?? talk to you council etc.. its concerns me what shes telling mums

[onthefly]

Olive's suggestion is a good one - she's not following the official government guidelines in telling mothers that

[Snowy Love]

Persephone: she definatly meant stop bf and replace with cow's milk. She also said something about 'there are people out there who think its ok to bf till they are two, blah blah, but you need to put him on cow's milk'. That is almost verbatim what she said!!

Those people are called the World Health Organisation!

[*Ash*]

Those people are called the World Health Organisation!

Yes, exactly!

[jessicakate]

What horrible advice. Personally I believe that some of these MCHN's were put into these positions years ago and just left there to spread their old fashioned ideas, never receiving updated training and information. Also some people just like to make mum's who are doing a fab job, feel crappy and uncertain about themselves, although I can't see what they get out of being like that. surely anyone in the industry must know that WHO recommend bfing til age 2 and beyond. Sounds like you and your little boy know more than she does, and also don't forget that drinking a cup of cows milk doesn't give your child that same wonderful feeling as snuggling up to mummy for a little mummy milk (it's not just about the feeding aspect). Enjoy!

[Taurean]

OMG!

Keep on BF!!! If you or your DS are ready to BF then by all means, move onto cows milk but otherwise keep doing the fabulous thing that you're doing!! Cows milk is no where near as good as breast milk and toddlers formula just isn't necessary at all! I think you should change health care centres, she sounds like an old nutter!

[Early Kids]

I agree with Olive, that's terrible advice and she should be put back in her place!

Well done on 12 months breastfeeding

[~Hestia~]

Good on you for getting to 12 months BF!

I had the opposite issue with my MCHN at our 12 months check. I wanted advice on weaning for when we were ready and she kept trying to talk me out of it!