When to start on Whole Milk?

Ashley - posted on 01/29/2011

i started my daughter mixing it @ 10 1/2 months & she drank it straight by 11 months...she was just giving me troubles with drinking formula & it wasn't worth fighting with her to get her to drink it so i started giving her cows whole milk & she did great with it. most say 12 months but i didn't think a month early would do any damage & i think she was telling me she was ready for the switch. so i would say go by ur child...if they seem ready & its not rediculously early then go for it!

Callie - posted on 01/28/2011

Our pedi told us that getting milk in food is fine. I made her oatmeal and eggs with milk at 10 months. And as long as she is nursing 3 times a day she doesn't need cow's milk. My daughter is 14 months and nurses anywhere from 3-6 times in a 24 hr period. No need to give her a bottle either- its just another habit to break.

Ashley - posted on 01/28/2011

I would say you can mix it into her cereal and whatnot. Since my daughter has been on table tood (since about 9 1/2 months) she has been getting whole milk in things like her eggs and mac & cheese or whatnot, but not for actual bottles or sippy cup feedings til about a year old. I stopped pumping and bottle feeding last week and started supplementing in some whole milk. My doctor told me a couple weeks before her 1st birthday isnt too big of a deal. She is still getting what breastmilk I have frozen since I have plenty to last until her birthday! But she is now starting on the whole milk mixing it for now until she gets used to the taste. But as for oatmeal, i wouldn't worry about pumping strictly for that and just use the whole milk as long as it isn't upsetting her tummy! Good Luck!

Loren - posted on 01/28/2011

Thanks everyone for your advice. I will definately wait until she is a year old. I guess I just have to make the time to pump for her evening and morning cereal.

Candace - posted on 01/28/2011

I've been told not to start until a year old

Jennifer - posted on 01/28/2011

i wouldn't start until 12 months, minimum. cows milk isn't nutritionally complete and adding cows milk would mean she's taking in less breastmilk. once she gets to be a year, as long as she's nursing at least 3 times a day, she doesn't need cows milk at all.

Ricky - posted on 01/28/2011

The normal age is 12 months but each baby is different. My son was a big healthy baby and I was allowed to introduce a little bit into cereal at 6 months. And as a drink at 10 months I believe

Bonnie - posted on 01/28/2011

Most doctors recommend to wait until they are 12 months. I switched both my boys at 11 months. My doctor said their weight was good enough. It may be okay to start switching now. I recommend asking your doctor for reassurance if you are unsure.

Jennifer - posted on 01/28/2011

Also, I wanted to add that there is no reason that you would NEED to start whole milk at that age either as long as your daughter is still breastfeeding several times per day. Human milk is still the optimal milk for your daughter as long as she is still willing to nurse and you are still willing to continue to nurse her.

Jennifer - posted on 01/28/2011

I think most doctors will tell you not to start on straight milk until after 12 months of age. But it wouldn't hurt to ask your LO's doctor to see what s/he says. It's normal for breastfeeds to decrease in frequency over time as your LO adds more solids to her diet. :o)

Melina - posted on 01/28/2011

ask your Dr every child is different..I'd also ask for the signs of allergies