From formula to whole milk

Ginger - posted on 09/05/2011

If you're not heating it, then I definitely would, its easier for babies to digest warm milk, and since he's still kind of young his tummy may not be able to digest it.

Randi - posted on 09/02/2011

I'm a breastfeeding mother, but we don't do any milk at all. After my kids self wean, they only get water.

I'm still nursing my August baby - she will be 13 months on the 6th.

Jill - posted on 09/01/2011

I was told that they weren't ready for whole milk until about 12 months. For my daughter (who is now 22 months) I began with a mixture of half formula and half milk at first to help her get used to the change. The other key is if you are offering it in a sippy cup (which you really should) finding one they will actually use. I have found one they can see through (can have some color, but be able to see it is milk) and have a spout that is closer to the texture (like that rubber/plastic) of a bottle (not hard plastic). Also, try warming the milk a bit to knock the chill off. I won't be starting my son (who is 10 months) on it until 12 months, although he has grabbed his sister's milk and had a sip now and then.

Michelle - posted on 09/01/2011

I was told not to give whole milk until they turn 1, but you should try 2% milk its just like the formula

Annie - posted on 08/31/2011

Try giving him half milk and half water he may like that. I hope that helps you.

Alison - posted on 08/29/2011

Try mixing the milk with formula and gradually lessen the formula

Shawnte - posted on 08/09/2011

I agree, mixing the formula and milk seems to work well for my little man. He simply does not like the milk alone but will drink the mixture. As far as age, I think it depends on the child. The general recomendation i s12 months, but I think if the child is thriving and not having problems with other foods, then as long as the doctor says it is ok, then it is. We started trying little amounts of milk around 10months, he just didn't like it. Now that he is a year old we have been told to really push the milk. Good Luck!!

Shayna - posted on 07/28/2011

10 months does seem early to do the switch to milk. We started gradually at 12 months, mixing milk with her prepared formula until she was on just milk. However, we have had to back off and put her on half formula again because the milk constipated her so much. It's just not an easy thing for a lot of little ones to digest.

Lexi - posted on 07/22/2011

I have a BIG boy!! lol so instead of whole milk, i've been giving him 2%, i mix him an 8 oz bottle, but i put about 2-4 oz of water and formula mix and then the rest 2% and he seems to like it pretty good!! I thought i'd start switching him over early so that its not such a complete shock to his little system when i have to cut the formula out completely :)

Ocea - posted on 07/22/2011

I just started giving my son whole milk a couple of days ago. He will be 11 months on Monday. He has been exclusively BF, but we have slowed down to only nursing once or twice a day lately. So far he seems to like the whole milk. I've heard that you shouldn't give your baby whole milk until they are over a year, however, I have also heard that as long as your baby is doing well on solids and doesn't have a sensitive tummy then somewhere between 10-12 months is fine. Ultimately, it is up to you. You are the Mother!!! ;) Do what feels right for you!

Sherry - posted on 07/19/2011

here they say to start whole milk between 9 and 12 months... I was told a good way to switch is to give them like 75% formula and 25% milk for a couple days then do 50/50 then like 25% formula and 75% milk until he will take just milk

Good luck and I hope that helps!!

Kylee - posted on 07/16/2011

Yes i agree with Jennifer..when introducing whole milk to your baby you mix it in with the formula maybe 10-20% to begin and then slowly increase to no formula..thats the way i was told with my first child and it has worked a treat everytime..good luck :o)

Mary - posted on 07/05/2011

Just like any new food, you might need to try 20 times before a child will be familiar enough to drink it. But without a specific reason why whole milk isn't usually digested easily until after at least 12 months. It is also missing all of the additional iron and other vitamins that formula provides. You may want to try a toddler or next step formula instead of milk.

Jennifer - posted on 07/03/2011

you could try to mix the whole milk and formula, and then with every couple bottles, reduce the amount of formula. so for instance, first bottle, do like 4 oz whole milk, 4 oz formula. See how he does with that, and slowly decrease the formula, and increase the whole milk, and see how he does. but if he is spitting it up, instead of just not drinking it, the he may have a problem with lactose (its in milk), so you might have to try soy milk.

Naomi - posted on 07/03/2011

i also thought it was a year but my little girl girl has it on her cereal instead of formula dont know whether this would help if its with something else

Carly - posted on 06/27/2011

I wouldn't give whole milk as a drink on it's own, but I do use it for my daughter's breakfast cereal and for cooking. In Australia, cow's milk is not recommended as a drink until after 12 months. Was there a reason that this was recommended to you?

Tender - posted on 06/09/2011

is his formula feed warm ?? if so then he may be refusing it because it is cold.. our 10 month old drinks his formula cold and took to whole milk like it was nothing..

Jessica - posted on 06/09/2011

I was also told to wait until 1 year.

Valerie - posted on 06/07/2011

I haven't tried any whole milk with my son yet. I thought we were supposed to wait until they're a year old? I look forward to seeing what people have to say on this topic!