Cows Milk at 9 months

AteahSamantha - posted on 07/26/2012

Exactly where did you get your information? When I was pregnant I participated in parenting programs and continued until my son was six months . I was surrounded by parent educators and even got to talk to pediatricians and not one person said anything about babies not being able to digest milk at nine months . I was told to wait UNTIL nine months because THEN there bodies CAN digest milk , you just start them on homo . I was also told that that transistional formula you can buy before you start them on milk is useless & just a gimmick BY a pediatrician .

Rosie - posted on 04/27/2010

actually cows milk IS bad. it can cause the little intestines to bleed, because they can't digest it. not only is it irresponsible for you to not want to hear what doctors say, it's pretty mean to want to make your child sick without any regard for doctors advice. of course it doesn't hurt them in all situations, but come on, why would you want to even attempt to do anything that can hurt them?

Andrea - posted on 07/26/2012

Couldn't help myself from posting again...have since had my second child (who is 18 months in the meantime and my first one is now 3) both kids got cow milk @ 9 months and maybe a touch earlier. Neither had any interest in gross formula (yes I've tried it)!! Was printed in a handout I got from the hospital put out by the city of Ottawa where I live. So maybe there is no right or wrong answer to cow milk before 12 months? Both kids have an iron stomach no issues. Ween them into it and if you see there are issues, stop!! Pretty simple!!!

Andrea - posted on 06/01/2010

I was curious about the same thing. My son's Ped also doesn't recommend cow milk til 12 months but my breast milk is drying up and he refuses formula. I have researched a lot about formula and I would rather take my chances on cow milk than feeding him a 6 month + formula where the second ingredient is corn syrup. I tried Similac the only once without corn syrup and he really didn't want any part. He's now just turned 9 months and he's been having his breast milk topped up with cow milk for a few weeks. I make sure he has 3 square meals a day containing plenty of iron and vitamins. He gets his cereal once a day and twice a stew home made with meat and veggies. Fruit is added in part to all three meals. Same as a previous post, was a bit constipated at first and now is just fine. It's so easy to judge and say feed your child formula or breast milk and nothing else. Obviously these people have never tried to force something down their childs throat that they didn't want. I'd rather give a bit of cow milk than starve him. My child will not swallow formula. And I don't agree in sugar as a second ingredient in anything I give him, might as well be feeding him a twinky!! Go with your gut... mom instinct is a good one, don't let these wanna be experts make you feel bad...

*Lisa* - posted on 06/18/2010

Wow. I'm surprised that so many people go with their 'gut instincts' instead of what doctors who have studied years of medicine recommend. I understand starting maybe a month early but any more than that is just too risky in my opinion! Sure it was fine for some, but what about the kids who HAVE suffered because someone said to their mothers 'don't worry what the doctor says, go with your gut instinct'. I personally would not want to put someone else's child at risk like that simply because my child was fine. I'll go with the doc's recommendations.

Emee - posted on 06/18/2010

we shouldnt be a cheap skate to our babies. we should give them the best and whats good for them.

[deleted account]

I do SORTA understand your anology, Kati! LOL! I think ALL recommendations and guidelines need to be given serious consideration. I think that if anyone is going against them to an extreme, they better have good reason! Introducing a child to cow's milk at 9 months is VERY different then slowly introducing it in the couple weeks before their first birthday! I just don't understand why anyone, without good medical reason would want to potentially jeopardize their child.......development in the first years is SO crucial!

Oh wait....this isn't a debat community is it? ;)

Rosie - posted on 06/18/2010

i'm pretty lax on other recommendations-starting solids before 6 months, cereal in bottle giving an infant water etc. i don't think it's the worst thing in the world or whatever for those situations. i've pretty much come to the conclusions that these dates are all guidelines, not set in stone.
this one for some reason gets to me. i just don't see how people want to risk intestinal bleeding, and not giving their children the fat, and nutrients that their little brains and bodies need. i think the difference for me is that if they were to go cows milk, it would be constantly coming in to that childs body. with the other recommendations i mentioned before a sip of water here and there isn't as constant as when you give them milk. same with solid food, and cereal in bottle-they aren't all the time things. i don't know, i feel like i'm probably not making sense-AGAIN, lol!

[deleted account]

I agree, Lisa! To those women who start cow's milk before 12 months, I want to know WHY? Enlighten me with something other then, " my mom gave me milk at 7 months and I'm fine..."! IMO, that not a good enough excuse. WHAT is the harm in waiting? Honestly?

[deleted account]

Oh, it's you again! LOL! I really don't care what she does, Cindy....it was just a question....

Michelle - posted on 06/18/2010

I think it really does depend on the childs needs and I don't think giving a 9 month old cows milk is really going to do any harm. Perhaps just wean him/her off formula slowing by introducing 1 bottle of cow milk a day and slowly increasing it.

Cindy - posted on 06/18/2010

:)

Cindy - posted on 06/18/2010

Dana, I don't think she's trying to find other people who have done it earlier than recommended....She's just wanting to get anyones opinion. Also, you don't always gotta go by the book, you know what I mean. Everybody has different opinions. Everybody's baby is different. Honestly I think by 9 months cows milk won't kill the baby. In fact around 9 months is when alot of parents start weaning their baby off of formula and give the baby milk every now and then and then eventually fully switch to cows milk. And yes I know the baby is on breastmilk in this case, but if her breasts are drying up then after the breastmilk is all gone she can't just not give the baby anything to drink between then and 12 months for fear of breaking the "rules". So I say do it :) :)

Rosie - posted on 06/01/2010

http://www.babycenter.com/0_cows-milk-wh...

[deleted account]

Ashley....did you ask your doctor WHY he recommended it? Like some of the other ladies have pointed out there are VERY specific reasons why it's not recommended until 12 months and it's not JUST because of the vitamins. If you decide to give your child milk earlier than 12 months I would want to know why? IF you do, I certainly hope you have a good reason?! NO one is going to force you to follow a doctors instructions and I'm not saying they're infallible BUT typically these recommendations are in place for a reason. I'm just curious if you're on here trying to find people who have given their children milk earlier then the recommended age to try and justify yourself doing it? Make an informed decision.....

[deleted account]

My SIL started both my nieces early.....the first at 9 months and the second at 7 months! ABSOLUELY NOT for my daughter....

Candice - posted on 06/01/2010

my son is 9 and a half months and hes on cows milk. my doctor says its fine as long as you give then a baby vitamin as well. we bought enfamil poly vi sol drops :)

[deleted account]

No and I wouldn't. I'm not interested in risking my child's health. They may be fine, but they may end up w/ serious problems. When it comes to the well being of my children I prefer to err on the side of caution. Your kid though. Do what you want.



But you can't expect to post on a message board and not get responses from both sides. We are here to share OUR experiences. Not just tell people what they want to hear.

Melissa - posted on 06/01/2010

Andrea.. I don't think it is your place to say that everyone else is wanna be experts.. everyone is entitled to their own opinion and some pediatricians don't feel it is necessary and could be harmful to their stomach. BTW... you child gets sugar in your breastmilk!!

Any how Ashley... as some have already said the milk can be harmful to your child... I tried to start adding only 1oz to my sons bottle once a day for two days and he had the absolute worst stomachache ever!! He had diaper rash for over a week after that! He was 11months old when I tried this... neither my husband or I have allgeries but this completely upset his stomach! I would recommend waiting for as long as you can or starting with a smaller amount to begin with! They almost make next step formulas that are cheaper and are a little more like cow's milk... that's where I am now and he just turned a year today! Good luck just be very CAUTIOUS!

[deleted account]

no i haven't but i know people who have and also they used to it a long time ago, when my dad was a kid he was raised from pretty much birth on cow's milk. for some people its a problem and for others it's not. it'ss a chance you take if u introduce it early

Cindy - posted on 04/27/2010

I started him on it at 8 months, he is now 9 months. It has worked out just fine for him too. He has had absolutley no stomach problems, a little constipation at first but that went away quickly. He's prefectly fine. I know that alot of women will tell you it's such a horrible thing to start them on it before 12 months and all that and follow all the rules and such. But go with YOUR gut instinct....if You feel your child is ready then go right ahead! :)

Jodi - posted on 04/27/2010

Milk impedes the proper absorption of iron and iron is one thing that a baby can not afford to have cut down or cut out of the diet. Additionally, whole cow's milk protein and fat are more difficult for a baby to digest and absorb. These are the two reasons you should wait.

Having said that, I started my son on 1/2 milk when he was around 11 months and he was fine. I personally believe 12 months is a general guideline, and a little either side doesn't hurt. My son was a really good eater, and I had no hesitation. My daughter, on the other hand, continued on formula (a toddler one) until she was almost 2 because she was small, and often only ate very small meals, and I wanted to make sure she received all her nutrients. When a child is in the 3rd percentile, you can't afford to have them not gaining weight :)

Morgan - posted on 04/27/2010

My friends kid is still alive no bleeding or anything, and kids in the "old days" drank it and most of them are still alive so I dont think its that bad, I wouldent do it, but if your doctor says its ok to start 50/50 I wouldent be too scared to try that :)

Good luck hun

Ashley - posted on 04/27/2010

Actally my ped. says to start half and half so thats why I was asking,... i dont think it means i want to make my child sick i think thats why i posted it to get what people have experencied OK KATI BROWN!

Iridescent - posted on 04/27/2010

That is foolish and harmful.

Jessica - posted on 04/27/2010

The reason you're not supposed to give your child dairy before a year is because their stomachs don't have the necassary bacteria for it to be properly digested.

Ashley - posted on 04/27/2010

Thanks thats helps a lot! i wanted to hear it from real people that gave it to their child and i didnt want to hear what doctors recommend

Abbie - posted on 04/27/2010

No and I think its not right to offer it prior to a year of age, you are short changing your child by not giving them the extra vitamins that they need that they dont' get in cows milk!

Morgan - posted on 04/27/2010

My Daughter is only 3 months and I plan on not giving her cows milk before a year

but my best friend feeds her 9 month old cows milk and she said her doctor said its ok?

Karen - posted on 04/27/2010

Yes I have.I couldn't afford the formula or I didn't want to afford the formula.My kids were fine. I had to get used to how bad the poo poo smelled.Other than that there was no difference.I didn't follow all the instructions given by my DR. I mean if my child was crying too too often at night I fed them cereal early.My children became quiet and slept better!!! I knew from the stiffness of their poo poo weather I was making it too thick or not.All five of my children grew up healthy and strong.I already had them on pureed meats, veggies and fruits by the age of 5-6 months anyway.They've been on cereal since 2-3 months.You can always try and switch back if you like.

Ashley - posted on 04/27/2010

Thats what i was thinking my first child is now a year nad 8 monts and she never ate baby food and she drank her formula but my 8 month old eats baby food 3 times a day and drinks formula i was just curious

Alison - posted on 04/27/2010

Basically, from what I understand, the reason that cows milk is not recommended at 9 months is because your child benefits from the extra vitamins in the formula. At 12 months, they should be eating a complete diet and should no longer need those supplements. So the cow's milk is not bad per se.