Introducting Whole Milk or Soy Milk to infant

C. - posted on 12/07/2009

Quoting Pamela :

Don't introduce your child to whole milk too soon. Infants have a hard time digesting the proteins in whole milk and introducing it too soon can cause the problems with the bodying accepting it. Soy milk is not approved as a milk replacement by the USDA so make sure if you choose soy milk you make sure your child is still getting all the nutrients she needs

I just wanted to clarify that 12 months is the earliest recommendation for introducing whole milk.

Great post, by the way, Pamela!

Pamela - posted on 12/07/2009

Don't introduce your child to whole milk too soon. Infants have a hard time digesting the proteins in whole milk and introducing it too soon can cause the problems with the bodying accepting it. Soy milk is not approved as a milk replacement by the USDA so make sure if you choose soy milk you make sure your child is still getting all the nutrients she needs

C. - posted on 12/07/2009

My son was on a soy formula b/c he was allergic to milk-based formula and I gave him whole milk at one year old. He has had no reaction with the whole milk at all. And I have heard that you are not supposed to give soy milk to infants and toddlers b/c it doesn't have all the nutrients a young one needs. Young children, like infants and toddlers, need certain fats for the development of their brain and for their growth in general. Soy milk doesn't have the same fats in it, therefore doesn't work the same way. I would definitely be sure it's ok with your doctor before giving your child soy milk, just to be sure it won't affect your child's growth and development.

Meredith - posted on 12/07/2009

Just slowly decrease the amount of formula used in a bottle making up the difference with milk. So if she normally drinks a 6 oz bottle start by putting 5 oz formula and 1 oz milk, then 4/2, half and half, etc....It is really easy and you may see that you won't even have to go all the way like this..they usually start tolerating it pretty well and like it.

Keenan - posted on 12/07/2009

My son had to be put on the soy formula because he had acid reflux and couldnt tolerate any other milk. Now that he is a year old. I introduced him to the Silk Soy. He loves it. And it was an easy transistion. I give him the plain and the vanilla flavored one. Its actually a much healthier alternative to the whole milk.

Rebecca - posted on 12/07/2009

This is a good time to start the process...over the next week take out 2ozs of formula and add 2ozs of Whole milk to her bottle/cup,the following week take out 4ozs of formula and add 4ozs of Whole milk. And so on. If she is only on 4ozs of formula maybe keep her on the 2ozs of whole milk for longer then a week so she can get used to the flavor easier. Don't give in. Dont' heat the bottle once it is fully Whole milk. You can heat it slighlty right now but the more milk you add heat it less so she realizes the taste of it. My neighbor heated her oldest daughters milk when they changed her over and she is now 4yrs old and needs it heated everytime. If there are food allergies in your family then use Soy but check with your childs Dr if there isn't and you wish to use soy for another reason to insure she will get adiquate nutrients.

Good luck!