I read somewhere about starting babies out on soy milk instead of whole cow's milk. Right now my son is 8 and a 1/2 months old and is solely breast fed. I want to be able to give him some milk in a cup but didn't know if I should start with cow's milk or soy. I am not completely done nursing him but he doesn't always want to nurse during the day if we are out around other people, so I was thinking of starting him on milk. Any advice would be great. thanks

Krystal - posted on 03/10/2009

i too have been told by my pedi to wait until a year old to introduce cows milk. of course i know some doctors have different opinions on when to start. try pumping and putting it into a sippy cup - whether it is a soft spout, hard spout, or even one of the flexible plastic kid straws (my daughter took to that at only 7 months). if he doesn't take a bottle now i wouldn't recommend giving him one - just skip to the cup.  just remember that when you do decide to start on milk to treat it as a "new" food - introduce only that new item for several days to check for allergies/adverse reactions.

as far as him not wanting to nurse around other people don't worry about. he will eat when he's hungry. that being said dont be surprised if he cluster feeds - feeding every hour or so in the evenings when you're home. if you think he's thirsty put some water in a cup for him.

good luck!

Shanna - posted on 03/10/2009

I'm thinking it varies from place to place. You would probably be best off asking your own doctor. I also called a few other doctor's offices in my area and they all say you can start them on whole milk anytime after 9 months. As long as they are easting a variety of foods

Rhiannon - posted on 03/10/2009

You should wait closer to a year before starting milk however, I was told that it can be given occasionally from 9 months on. Soy milk is easier to digest but if you give him soy m ilk make sure it has vitamins added. I would suugest Silk with Omega-3. This is what my son drinks, he's almost 5. We started him at 15 months on soy milk and then at 2 1/2 started drinking cow milk at daycare, it caused him to vomit and have diarrhea. We found out he is partially Lactose Intolerant, he can have any dairy except milk.

Another drawback to cows milk is that it can be horribly constipating for little kids.

Laura - posted on 03/10/2009

Not until he is a year. You can pump or give formula in a cup. Once they are one year old you can given him milk.

Heather - posted on 03/10/2009

If baby is breastfed then there really isn't a need for any other kind of milk, even after they turn 1. At his age he still needs the nutrients that breastmilk provide(even if he's eating solids) so if you're finding he has a hard time nursing while out or around others you might want to excuse yourself with him for a few minutes so that he can get a nursing session in. Again, that depends on how long you are out and whatnot.

Sometimes we go out(my son is almost 9 months) and he'll be far too distracted to nurse. Unless we're going to be out all afternoon or something then I'll just let him skip the session. Of course he makes up for it when we get home by nursing all evening.

Shanna - posted on 03/10/2009

I just called my doctor back and he told me anywhere from 9-12 months or homo milk. he said to do it very gradually and try it out first thing in the morning for about a week then replace one feeding at a time

Kerri - posted on 03/10/2009

I've also been told wait until a year.  I'll be likely starting my daughter on soy then, as she's had a sensitivity to cow's milk through my breast milk.  It's also suggested to offer water - gets them used to not needing 'juice' and sweet stuff!  That might be an alternative when out & about in a sippy cup. (or pump & offer your own)

Good luck.

Shanna - posted on 03/10/2009

My doctor said I could almost start my 8 month old on Homo milk. I wouls like to start her on it as well as she is totally wrecking my nipples right now lol. I know lots of people say no homo milk until 1 year but I have also heard anywhere from 8 months to 1 year.

Lulu - posted on 03/10/2009

Yes stay away from soy and cows milk till the baby is at least 1! You can put breastmilk or formula in a bottle or sippy cup. Check babycenter.com too; they have great resources.

Liane - posted on 03/10/2009

For my kids (who are not 8 and 6) cow's milk was a big "no-no" until they attained the age of at least one year. Soy milk was not very popular back then so I'm not sure about it vs. cow's milk. However, if you want to get baby used to a cup just pump/express your milk and put it in the cup! Also, check with your pediatrician as I'm sure new information is available on the safety and timeliness of introducing cow's or soy milk to your baby's diet :)

Jennifer - posted on 03/10/2009

either one is totally inappropriate until a year and can be harmful to their health.  pump and put it in a bottle.

Melissa - posted on 03/10/2009

I had the same question posted a few weeks ago. Someone told me that soy is just as hard as cows milk. Someone else told me that breastmilk is like whole milk and to not even give cows or soy milk until they are 1 year. My daughter doesn't like to nurse when we are out or around other people either. She is very easily distracted. I have been pumping and putting it in a cup for now. I am going to ask the doctor about soy milk. Kellymom.com has good info too.