When do i stop giving my daughter formula?

Katie - posted on 04/26/2010

My son switched from formula to whole milk on his 1st birthday. We did it cold turkey. The first day was a little tough, but when he got thirsty it was the only thing I would give him.

Kate - posted on 04/26/2010

My daughter is 13 months old and has 1 bottle a day before bed time with toddler formula. She is a fussy eater and so I have always thought its best to give a toddler formula until their eating becomes a little bit more normal. I did the same with my 3 year old and stopped her bottle around 16 months. I personally just felt better about continuing on the bottle for her nutritional needs. Whatever you choose, I'm sure it will be the right thing for you and your child! Good luck!

Dorsha - posted on 04/25/2010

I have been giving my son milk for like two months now. He is 13 months. He gets milk and formula, but never mixed. The dr told me to only give him a little bit of regular milk a day. No more than 16 ounces.

Julie - posted on 04/25/2010

The American Pediatric Association (for North America - not just US) recommends continueing formula/breast feeding until 15-18mths of age - BUT you can substitute HOMOGENIZED cows milk after 1 yr of age for some of the feedings - for example cows milk during the day and formula before bed (or whatever works for you) it is to get your child used to the taste/texture of milk as it is often alot thicker and more fatty then what they are used to having...

Kerry - posted on 04/24/2010

we just had our 12 month visit, and the doctor told me to just start whole milk cold turkey.. i decided to mix half formula, half milk till i run out of formula. he is doing fine with this so far.

Brittany - posted on 04/22/2010

my daughter decided the week before she turned one she didnt like the bottle anymore, i tried putting her formula in her sippy but she would spit it out. I put regular Vit D milk in her sippy and she drank it all! Guess babies get tired of formula. You dont have to mix it unless it upsets your childs stomach or your child doesnt like regular milk.

Colleen - posted on 04/21/2010

Our son turned one on March 10th, and our pediatrician within that week told us to immediately take him off bottles and to wean him off formula. Coincidentally, I had just purchased 2 new cans of our formula, so she did say that we could mix the formula in with his whole milk. We had him weaned off his bottle within two days and using his sippy cup exclusively. We discovered that he prefers his milk warm, and not freezing, just out of the fridge cold. I was thrilled at how quickly the transition was. It was a bit touch and go for the first two days, but no problems after that.

Stefania - posted on 04/20/2010

I gave my 13 month old lil girl cows milk on her 1st b-day & she loved it. Since she still had almost a full can of Enfamil left I mixed it in the morning & gave her straight milk at night. If she doesnt take good to the milk right away mix it & add less & less formula each time until its just straight milk. Hope this helped.

Lindsay - posted on 04/20/2010

My daughter has been off formula since a few weeks before she turned 1 , she takes a bottle before bed and before naps, but other than that she gets milk and juice switched all day in a sippy cup.

Susan - posted on 04/20/2010

You can go to Whole Milk now. There is no need for formula since she is probably eating baby food and regular finger foods. Check with your doctor but most children prefer whole milk because of its taste is better. If you are worried about food or dairy allergies, try giving her 3 oz. whole milk and see if she has any reaction. Whole milk has lots of fat which your child needs for good brain development until age 2. We use organic whole milk. I decided that I didn't want any antibiotics or steroids so that was my choice. Good luck. I hope this helps. After 2 years, she can go to a 2% or 1% milkfat milk.

Michelle - posted on 04/20/2010

I stopped at 1 years old and started on Cows milk he is 13mth now and love it

Heidi - posted on 04/20/2010

Hey there, my doctors here, have told me to introduce it slowly, of course not every child is the same, so they will react in different ways!
As they get older the steps the formula comes in, contains less nutrients, minerals etc, as they adjust it to suit the childs food intake, a newborn baby requires a lot as it is the babies only food source, whereas as your child gets older, they have food to give them those nutrients.
My daughter is just over 1 as well, and she is on her step 2 formula still for her morning and evening bottles, during the day she has toddler formula which we are slowly introducing to her! I am not planning on taking her bottles away myself, she will drop them when she is ready.... You know your baby better than anyone, take your time, and it wont do the child any harm to remain on formula as long as she is also eating.
As for mixing formula with regular milk, there are toddler formulas in which you can do this with, but generally you don't do it with the step 2....you can I guess, but we just gradually switched from step 2 to toddler, then gradually from toddler to plain milk... Your bub may not handle it well at first, so try introducing it slowly...

Stacey - posted on 04/19/2010

i stop giving her formula during the day and just gave her cows milk but i still give her formula before she goes to bed as that way i know she still getting wat she need as she not a big eater and she will still sleep though the night without waking up hungry

Ivy - posted on 04/19/2010

I asked my doctor the same thing as a lot women stop giving their babies breast milk and formula. He told me that there is no reason to stop before 2 years old as babies get vitamins and minerals from formula. I asked as I thought about switching to formula but my daughter hated it and I missed breast feeding her so we went back to that. Anyways, he said cow's milk only gives calcium and children under 2 need more than that. It is up to you what you choose to do, but there are more health benefits to continuing with formula or breast milk opposed to cow's milk.

Melanie - posted on 04/19/2010

When I went in for my son's 12-month check-up, my pediatrician said to just use up whatever formula I had left and switch over to 2% milk. Unless a baby is under-weight, there is no need for whole milk, as the 2% has all of the same good stuff, just less fat. She also didn't say there was any need for weaning over. Once the formula was gone, I took the milk straight from the fridge, poured it in his sippycup and watched as he gulped away. He loves it! The most important thing I would say to remember is that now that they're not drinking their meals, it's so much more important to make sure they're getting enough solids throughout the day. My doc said 3 meals a day of whatever we are eating and 2 healthy snacks in between. Or more if they want more...

Felicity - posted on 04/19/2010

You can also give them toddler formula aswell and milk together is another way to get a taste of cow milk to them

Felicity - posted on 04/19/2010

most of the time it is trial and error just try her and if she likes it then give her more. sometimes I give my little one three cups during the day and she like a formula one at night so individual children like different things. My oldest liked cows milk straight away so had no problems.

Tara - posted on 04/18/2010

I stopped giving both my kids formula around 10 months, I didn't mix it with formula and regular milk I just would give a bottle or cup of regular milk every now and then and then just completely stopped the formula all together after a week or two. Every child is different. Both my girls switched to whole milk with no problems. But you have to make sure you are comfortable with the choice you choose as well. If all else fails just ask your doctor what they would suggest =]

Ashleigh - posted on 04/18/2010

I pediatrician said that it is perfectly fine/normal for kids to continue drinking formula up to 15 months old. She also suggested that I mix the formula with whole mix. I use about 3 ounces formula and fill the rest of the bottle with the milk (as much as I want). This has worked great. Recently I switched to the EnfaGROW formula. Its for kids over 1 year. It ensures that they are getting enough iron and DHA that they may be missing by drinking just milk. I was worried about switching off formula completley..I didn't want him to lose out on the iron it supplied. So, if you are worried then get the Enfagrow stuff and rest easy knowing that most babies don't stop drinking formula right at 1 year.

Cathy J - posted on 04/18/2010

U can start to give them cows milk a week or 2 before their 1st birthday. If your child seems to have any allergies u may want to try soy milk.. Try vanillia. U can also start juice in a sippy cup now too. This will help with the weening process from the bottle.

Angie - posted on 04/17/2010

Oh and... just an addendum... my daughter likes the formula, but has found that she LOVES the cows milk... it has been an easy transition.

Angie - posted on 04/17/2010

when we started giving our daughter whole milk, we started with one feeding of cow milk a day for a few days, then 2 a day, then 3. We started this when she turned 1 year old. She is 13 months now and she only gets one bottle a day (which is at bedtime) and it contains formula and the rest of her feedings are from sippy cups with whole milk. When we run out of formula we will switch her over completely - no more formula and no more bottle. We never mixed the formula with the milk though. My doctor said it wasn't necessary. And actually the only reason we haven't switch her over already is because we caught formula on sale (VERY cheap) and got several cans and so we are just trying to use up what we have. :o) Hope this helps!

Amy - posted on 04/17/2010

Hi my son is 13months over the last 2/3 months i've given him the odd whole milk. Now i have finished his last formula milk off he will be having cows milk from now on, he likes it just as much as his formula x

Erin - posted on 04/16/2010

as far as the bottle is concerned...ease it back...but remember your baby isn't going to gradute with a bottle in her mouth so just relax and do what feels right for you both!!

Erin - posted on 04/16/2010

we started transitioning around 12 mos...adding like two oz of milk to 5 oz or so of formula three or four times a day. It seemed a bit rough going at first but now, this week at 13 mos, we're totally on local, organic cows milk. He seems to like it. There is no right age for any of this stuff tho...so, try it & see how it goes...trust your daughter and yourself :)

Tammy - posted on 04/16/2010

We started the change about 2 weeks before Brysons 1st birthday, but we knew this because we went throught this with our first son. It takes time because you want her to get use to the milk slowly because it can reek some habit on her system. You have the right concept on the change... we were told that if our child takes 8oz of formula you would replace 2oz of it with whole milk and do it for a week. The following week you would replace 3oz of the 8oz with whole milk. Keep replacing 1 oz every week until the last 2oz are formula then you can make the total change. Doing it this way can show if your child may have a lactose problem or not and it give the child use to the taste of it. Keep an eye on her poop. If it becomes too watery, she make have an intolerance to the milk. The poop will change a little, but it should not be liquid. Also remember, formula had all the vitamins and you are taking that away, so you want to replace it in her meals. Talk to your doctor because they might want to have your baby on iron drops which is normal. Hope this helps.

Sheri - posted on 04/16/2010

i have a 3 yr and a 1 yr old (march 25th) and with both of them it was hard but you just gottta grit yr teeth and do it, we mixed their formula half in half with whole milk for about 4 weeks before their birthdays and then the day they turned one we just did it. it took a few days of adjusting and crying but it worked and they both drink whole milk just fine, thank goodness, concidering hte fact they were both one soy formula due to milk intolerance. it all worked out in the end though :)

Trudi - posted on 04/15/2010

They can start having cows milk when they are 12 months old. I wouldn't mix it with formula, just try her with a little bit at first to make sure she has no allergies, if she seems fine with it just give her that. If not stick to formula, I think you will find you can give them formula for a few years yet, it is a personal choice, but now she is one she can move to cows milk, they just dont reccommend giving them cows milk until this time.

Kelly - posted on 04/15/2010

The dr's say you should stop formula at 12 months, however it doesn't hurt. I started to mix 1/4 real milk with 3/4 formula, and over the process of 3 weeks weined her right into real mix. She had no problems. Exactly what you said in your question. Try 6 to 2 ratio and work your way to full. Good Luck

Allie - posted on 04/15/2010

doctors recomend giving it to them at eleven months but i think waiting till one year is best for your babies immune systwm and health good luck =]

Dee - posted on 04/15/2010

my bub stil lgets like 5-6 bottles a day!!! she is 13 months almost. she loves her bottles especially when she is sick or teething. she is on the toddler formula ages 1-3 - i think i will just keep her on that till at least 2..... but change the milk into a sippy cup

Nicky - posted on 04/15/2010

I would recommend asking your doctor before stopping the formula, some are recommended to stay on especially if they are really active for the extra calories, so theres no right or wrong answer to this, just what works for you. But ask the doc ;)

Amy - posted on 04/15/2010

My little one is down to just two breastfeeds a day, but refuses to take formula or cow's milk from a bottle or cup. We add it to her food and give her lots of cheese and yoghurt instead. Ped said not to worry about it, as we are the only mammals that switch to another mammal milk after weaning. Good luck!

Allison - posted on 04/15/2010

Our doctor said to quit formula at a year, but my little guy cries for his formula still, so we mix his bottles half and half. He seems healthy and happy with it.

Sara - posted on 04/15/2010

my daughter is just over 1 and started mixing formular with full fat cows milk i started by doing 6 oz of formular and 2 or 3 oz of cows milk do that for a few days and keep takin away an oz each time x

Amanda - posted on 04/14/2010

My daughter is 12 months old and her pediatrician said there's no prize to switch to whole milk the fastest...but one year old or a couple months after is about the right time. I was told to do 1/4 milk and 3/4 formula and slowly add more milk to the mix as she begins to adjust. Hope this helps! :)

Hayley - posted on 04/14/2010

Hi, I asked the paedeatrician about that, My son wasn't eating many solids so he said to continue with a toddler formula as it had all the necessary nutrients and vitamins that he would be missing,, but since then he has started eating more red meat and other foods, so I have been mixing 2/3 full cream milk and 1/3 boiled water with 2 scoops of formula just until his solids are taken properly, then I will just switch over. But generally there isn't a problem to switch them to cows milk once they turn 1 as long as they are eating properly. That's what he said anyway. Hope that helps

Juliana - posted on 04/14/2010

what we did was one scoop of formula and water according to whatever formula you feed her, and mix it with whole milk. and warmed it up a bit too. did that for a few days and then started feeding him straight whole milk! he's doing great now. next step is sippy cup! :) good luck!

Ellen - posted on 04/14/2010

I weened my daughter from formula to cows milk 2oz at a time until all milk. She did good! That was advise from the peditrician at her 12month appt. She said whole milk or 2% for the first year. Then 1% or skim after that.

Lineo Mahula - posted on 04/14/2010

Baby is now ready to take cows milk. Mine is 13 months now & is refusing formula & has started on the soy milk and is enjoying it so much. He has been using sipper cup since two months, my Dr says its fine as long as he is also taking dairy products such as yoghurt.

Leanne - posted on 04/14/2010

I nurse my daughter once a day (she's weening herself) and give her milk all other times. She doesn't have a problem with the whole milk. With my older son who drank formula from 4 months on, I mixed the formula w/ milk and gradually reduced the formula till it was just milk and he did just fine with the change. I hope that helps and good luck with the switch it will save you big bucks in the end!

Cara - posted on 04/14/2010

i stoped giving my son formula at 8 months because it was making him sick so he was on cows milk at 8 months but most DR's will say to give her milk at 12 months

Amy - posted on 04/14/2010

At my daughter's 1 yr appt, oOur pediatrician told us to go easy on the milk/dairy and our daughter should be getting most, if not all, her nutrition from her food. He told us if we weren't sure she was getting everything she needs, we could use toddler formula. She's 13 1/2 months and only gets a bottle at 6am when she first wakes up (n then goes back to bed). On the rare occasion she gets formula during the day, she gets it in a sippy cup. You don't have to mix formula with milk. Maybe just substitute a cup of milk for a bottle each day n wean out the formula? Hope this helps some

Jacquelyn - posted on 04/14/2010

My personal experiance is; I mixed a few oz of formula with cold milk so he could get used to the taste and cold. He hated cold anything before that and he really likes milk now and the switch to just milk didn't take long maybe 4-5 days I just kept adding more milk less formula. I'd try maybe 2oz of strait milk see if she likes it you might not have to mix. I hope it's that easy for you because I know it's cheaper!

Mel - posted on 04/13/2010

I started giving my daughter full cream cows milk at 9 months. I breastfed her up to that point. I tried her on formula, but she refused it. As soon as she tried regular milk, that's all she wanted. My mother did the same with me and my sisters. I'm 31. I think we can learn ALOT from our mothers. I guess that depends on your mother situation! Good luck!

Nicky - posted on 04/13/2010

I am still mxing her formula and homo milk together. sometimes its half half other times 1 part formula to 3 parts milk. I see alot of you guys have taken them off the bottle. my baby girl still like her bottle and has one before bed (or i should say she falls asleep with it still) is this wrong? how would I get her to fall asleep without it?

Meghan - posted on 04/13/2010

i breast feed for 11 months, and then switched to formula 1) bc I ran out of milk and 2) bc I wanted him to get used to a cup. Once he was used to it (about 2-3 weeks) I tried like half and half. So I would make 4 ounces formula with 4 ounces of milk. He had not objections, so I started making less formula. Then I would fill the cup with milk and just put a scoop of formula in, until the can was empty. He was completely on milk by his first birthday. I was surprised at how fast it went. I don't think that is typical, but its worth a shot!

Michelle - posted on 04/13/2010

im still brestfeeding my son , alng with cerials and porridge

Jen - posted on 04/13/2010

You should give her whole milk. Give half formula and half whole milk for a few days than go to straight whole milk. They need that until age 2 for brain delelopment

Holly - posted on 04/13/2010

My daughter had a milk protein sensitivity, so we started the switch to Organic whole milk around 11 months. I did 3/4 formula and 1/4 milk in each bottle the first week, 1/2 + 1/2 the second week, 1/4 foruma + 3/4 milk the 3rd week, and all milk the 4th week. She had no problems. My Ped said that even babies without milk issues can get diarrea (sp?) from whole milk, so to do the transition slowly and don't be alarmed if your daughter gets that reaction at first. Good Luck!