So does he need cow's milk at lunch time?

[~Kaz~]

This is probably going to sound like a silly question.

DS is going into long day care three days a week soon when I return to work. He's 12 months old next week. He usually has three feeds a day (morning, lunchtime and before bed). Sometimes he'll slip another one in there about 4-5pm. (Nights are another story and he often feeds 3 times overnight as well).

I've given it a lot of thought and decided not to try to express for the lunchtime feed he will miss when in care. Does he need (nutritionally) to have cow's milk at lunchtime? We have occasionally missed the lunchtime feed due to being busy, out, me forgetting, him not asking etc.

I think maybe this is my issue more than his. For some reason I really don't want to give him cows milk (but I don't want to/can't express for him either!).

If he does need to have cow's milk, how much should he have? And can I give him that unpasturised organic one or will that have bacteria that could be harmful for him?

[OceanPrincess]

Hey lovely,

As you know, DD stopped her day feeds when I went back to work in Jan. My mum/MIL (whomever was caring for her) started offering cow's milk instead - just the basic full cream milk we buy from the supermarket.

She loves her cow's milk now and drinks it frequently during the day. We offer it in a sippy cup (I wanted to make the distinction to her that it was NOT booby milk, which she has always had in a bottle) and we generally fill the cup about half full. Sometimes she'll guzzle down half of the half or more, sometimes a sip or two is enough.

We let her choose how much she wants - and we still offer water as well. I have a mini-Tupperware water bottle that is hers and she now understands water is in the bottle (not a Medela EBM bottle, the Tupper bottle) and milk is in a sippy cup - so she can tell us by pointing and making an "Uh!" noise which one she wants, milk or water.

And when I see her after a long day at work, she still wants booby, then and there. It has not interferred with her morning and night feeds at all.

As for what type of milk, the most important thing is that it is full fat, not a skinny or low fat variety. I'm not too sure about the organic side of things, sorry.

Good luck with all these decisions - I feel your pain hun

[AliBaby]

Hey Kaz, Feels like I havent chatted to you in ages! Miss you lots!

I havent given DD a bottle of cows milk yet either. DD's lunch time bottle is so hit and miss and often she only has half a bottle (100mL) at that feed.

He is at the age where you can introduce it but I am going to do it gradually (like on cereal) even though DD eats yoghurt, cheese,etc which all come from cows milk and he has had no reaction.

Why dont you see how he goes. If he is having plenty to eat there and drinking water, I cant see it mattering if he doesnt have a botle then xo

[Olive]

i wouldnt worry hun!!
he'll be fine without it, i felt/feel the same about cows milk, yes ive offered it to her but she doesnt like it at this point!

[~Kaz~]

Thanks girls.

OP - its good to hear that it hasn't changed your bf'ing. I am hoping/expecting the same from DS.

Ali - introducing on cereal is a great idea because that's just a small amount really. I am such a baby-brain. Might give that a go in the next week or so.

Olive - Yeah I really want to tell the childcare that I just want him offered water during the day but I don't want to do this if he really does need a milk drink between 8am and 5pm. I'll just play it by ear I guess.