What to do?

[Kazmar]

When Annabelle turned 12 months I started her on cows milk as thats what I was 'told' to do

Now I dont buy cows milk and dont intend to. We drink soy milk.....

Will Lucy be ok to have that now? She's still bfing

[Tinks]

I'd say that would be fine.

[Kazmar]

Just did a little research, dont think soy is the best option. Might look at rice milk etc. What Im worried about her missing out on the goodness cows milk can offer....

[Arimeh]

Just did a little research, dont think soy is the best option. Might look at rice milk etc. What Im worried about her missing out on the goodness cows milk can offer....

Errr.. forgive my ignorance, but what can cows milk provide her with that your breastmilk can't?

[allycat06]

Rice or oat milk fortified with calcium are better than soy or cows milk. I personally don't think soy is all it's cracked up to me. But don't feel like you *have* to put her on something, just your breastmilk is still fine. DS starting having rice milk at night time from 14 months as I went back to work and expressing was becoming too hard.

[Arcadia]

Are you weaning? If not then why offer anything? Dd is almost 2 and has only had other milk on cereal...otherwise it's all breastmilk (not that I have any anymore since being pg).

[Epacris]

I have never given my kids milk as a drink at all. When they weaned off the breast (DS at 14 months, DD at 22 months) they just drank water and got all the nutrients they need from their food, including a splash of milk here and there on their cereal and yogurt/cheese, etc.

[MantaRay]

I defintely wouldn't give soy milk. If you are worried about calcium, dairy foods like yoghurt and cheese are good, and there are many non-dairy sources of calcium also. Other than calcium I can't see any reason to give other milk to a breastfed bub.

[Kazmar]

Ahhh thanks ladies You have put my mind at ease. No matter how much learning I do, I still question it all as it's not what I have been 'told' to do

Mel- LOL

[angelaartsstudent]

Both P and I are truly lactose intollerant (as diagnosed by blood test) and we drink Soy...Palmer has soy and has had no probs.

My dietician at the women's hospital said that Rice Milk is basically sugary (natural sugars, not added sugar) water and shouldn't be used for children or adults really as it doesn't have enough nutrients.

I've been on soy since I was 12-ish, when I was diagnosed, and have had no probs...Palmer has commercial soy, for the added calcium, but I make my own very often. But it is all personal choice. If you don't feel comfortable with it, don't do it.

[angelaartsstudent]

PS: P doesn't have bottles of milk anymore, and when she went on soy, she was having 1 bottle a day. She now only has milk on cereal but we do use soy/lactose free yohgurt.

[SarahMc]

If your going to go to the effort of buying rice milk etc why not just buy cows milk?

[Kazmar]

I dont think cows milk should be consumed by a baby, let alone a human. I now realise she doesn't need another milk while she has me

I just wish I knew what I know now, back when I had Annabelle!

Aw well I have learnt