what age can i give my baby cows milk?

Cherry - posted on 03/21/2012

Doctor said that cow milk is fine for 12 months old and onward baby. But me, start giving cow whole milk to my 6 mos old baby. Per Doctor instruction my baby is suppose to have at least 3 bottle of 8 oz formula everyday aside of eating solid foods one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Yes, just to follow the instruction of having 24 oz of formula everyday since baby still in her/his brain development. So what I did, I give 24 oz of formula and if my baby still hungry and want for more, I give cow milk for the rest. Mostly I give cow milk the night before going bed and in the morning when I'm lazy to wake up early and make a formula.

We have doctor appointment once or twice a month and the doctor said that she don't have a problem. My baby is growing very good according to her doctor.

I get my 8 hours sleep at night without any disturb...

Kylie - posted on 04/26/2009

All the nutrition information I have been given says do not give dairy products to children under 12 months. Any baby formula you choose is better for your 6 month old because it contains all the beneficial nutrients your little one needs at this early stage. Cows milk is very low in iron and is hard for children under one to digest.

Mel - posted on 04/26/2009

dont leave her til 12 months. if shes at an ok weight then its fine to change her over just wean her and make sure you check for reactions. between 6-12 months is ok. good luck

Whitney - posted on 04/25/2009

The reason they say no cow's milk before 12 months is because they have a greater chance of developing an allergy to it and they can become anemic because cow's milk does not have iron in it. If she is still taking formula or breastfeeding fine, then I would say not to change anything with that. You could give her other foods , but if she is drinking it fine then I would stick to that.

Jo - posted on 04/25/2009

ok, doctors recommend 12 months. I have seen the other posts but i'm more on the side of safety. Ya i'm sure there are tons of babies who had cows milk before that and are fine but.... the problem is that the pasturization (sp) process. If you some rare chance that there is a salmanilla (sp) bacteria introduced to your baby who's under a year the health issues are scary. Please Please Please speak to your babies doctor before doing the cows milk. What's six more months. if it's the cost of the formula there are programs that help with that.

Adrienne - posted on 04/25/2009

I have a 10 year old and a 6 month old. My ten year old was switched to whole milk at 9 months although I was told to wait until the 12 month mark like everyone else. With my youngest the doctor actually said she could have milk in a sippy cup starting around 7 months but to still keep her on the formula.

Ann - posted on 04/25/2009

before 3 months is a no go, most people will tell you not before 12 months, however, both my children were reflux babies, my first was on breast until 4 months then formula, but none of them worked so the family health nurse told me to try cows milk at 7 months. You just water it down to start and slowly add less water more milk so their stomachs can adjust to it. My daughter (2nd) could no longer have breast at 3 months and was also on formula. The only formula that worked for her they discontinued when she was 4 1/2 months so I started her on cows milk then. I start off with 1/4 milk and 3/4 water and slowly reduce the amount of water used.

They both were fine, there is nothing wrong with either of them and actually they thrived. However, in saying this you do not do this until you have started them on solids as they need more nutrients in their diets as the are not getting it from the formula anymore.

A good solid to start with is farex, rice cereal. Mash some banana or potato and pumpkin. Weetbix is another good one but make sure you give them variety and start off in small amounts so their tummies can get used to it.

Ultimately though, its your choice, you are the only one that knows whats best for your baby all you can do is try and see what works.

Sabrina - posted on 04/25/2009

Wait until she is a year old, right now she still need formula, for all the nutrients it has to offer her growing body.

Jamie - posted on 04/25/2009

i started to mix cows milk with my daughters and sons formula at 6 months and they were fine.

Lisa - posted on 04/25/2009

My son was a good eater like your little one. He was on cereal at three months. I was feeding him like every hour on formula, that was when I decided to start giving him cereal. I slowly introduced him to solid foods and he stopped drinking formula at 9 months. I wasn't going to keep giving it to him because he wasn't drinking it anyways. As long as she is getting the nutrients she needs I would start introducing it to her. My son is almost 5 years old and he is healthy as an ox. I think every kid is different. My daughter stayed on formula until she was like at least 15 or 16 months old. She is now almost 8 and just as healthy.

Angela - posted on 04/25/2009

12 months old. I wouldn't do it before then. If you get on line and research it it will tell you as to why it isn't good to give them cow's milk before then.

Marie - posted on 04/25/2009

not until 12 mos.

Jodi - posted on 04/25/2009

My son is 8months old, and I have slowly started to introduce cow's milk.... I mix 2oz formula to 4oz cow's milk, and he is doing just fine

Brittany - posted on 04/25/2009

I just got out of the hospital from having my first. I read pamphlets in there that said not to feed children cows milk until 12 months.

Krisanne - posted on 04/25/2009

carry on with the milk you are using you are not surpose to give your duaghter cows milk until she is 1 years of age