Cow's Milk

From what I understand, at 1 year they are supposed start on Cow's Milk...right? Since my girls were 28 week preemies do I use their actual or adjusted age? Do you quit formula cold turkey, or slowing introduce it? Why is 1 the magic number?

Sorry for all the questions...TIA!!

 

I am not quite at this point yet, but I have read similar posts. And I think it really varies, some people quit cold turkey, some people mix formula and milk for awhile, some people continue formula. Also some people quit formula before 12mnths and some continue on, depdending on what you think is in the best interests of your children. Sorry, I am no help, just thought I would share what I hare heard!

 

Since your two are premmies, you might want to call your ped.

But at their 9mth check-up my ped told me I could start introducing whole milk at 11mths. He said a lot of moms do an ouce of milk in the bottle at first, and then increase it until it's all milk. That's probably what I'll do.


I'm so excited just thinking of a time when I don't have to buy formula!!

 

Kyrstyn- I think you should absolutely adjust for their prematurity.. I am and mine were only 4 and 1/2 weeks early!! I kind of figure since the "guideline" is ONE YEAR OLD.. that is what it means and it's there for a reason.. If mine were born at 35 1/2 weeks.. then that's a whole MONTH that they'll need to be on it past their actual age.. and I'm following it. It just wouldn't seem right to make them lose that!! They need formula til they're truly one year old adjusted.

One more month of formula here and I'm okay with it cuz it makes me feel better knowing they're getting the nutrition they really need til they're a year old and to be honest; I'd like to keep giving them one formula bottle for a few more months too, kind of an insurance policy for us

Ultimately, it's up to you and your Ped, but I always adjust even tho my Ped doesn't. It just makes sense to me to do so and if mine were 28 weekers I would adjust without a doubt

Congrats on your 28 weekers turning a year! Wow, right?

 

They say the reason why you wait till 12 months is for allergies to cows milk they are more likely in younger babies I guess we weaned our guys off the formula over a few day but we had already used the cow milk on their cereal and stuff before twelve months. I would talk to the doctor about the being premmie but I think as long as they are healthy now they should be ok!

 

Kyrstyn - if you want to adjust for the girls being early then I would, but if you think they are ready then I say go for it. You could start putting a little in with the formula too, that sounds like a good idea.

I am so excited about the thought of no more stinky formula, I wish I could switch my girls now!!

 

Our pedi told us to wait until after their 12 month appointment to start switching. My girls were only 6 weeks early though, so your pedi might tell you to wait longer. I tried cold turkey, but my pukey-baby because much more pukey (after she started getting better); and my non-pukey baby, started to puke too. So we slowly mixed formula and milk in increasing ratios. They were finally on all milk by 15 months.

 

If I can remember correctly I think I gave whole milk in a sippy at meals and formula in a bottle morning and evenings and gradually phased out the formula in the bottle with cows milk and once 100% whole milk phased out the bottle.
I would check with pedi about adjusted age for starting whole milk. I would think that if they have done well with yogurt and cheese they would be fine with milk as well, but not sure about needing the extra stuff in formula for a bit longer????

 

Actually allergies to cows milk isn't the big reason to not introduce cows milk early. Most formula is Cow milk based and most babies have yogurt and cheese before they are one. Anyhow, the reason that Cows milk is not suggested before one year of age is simply because it is not a "complete" food for your baby.

 

Yeah the whole cows milk thing is confusing to me. Seriously, if you dont have any history of allergies and they are doing ok with other dairy and milk products such as yogurt and cheese then whats the big deal.
They can eat foods with milk in it or cooked with milk but not drink milk?!?!

The biggest thing I have considered is that more than 16oz in a day can deplete their iron. So I am thinking starting with 2-3oz to replace 1 nursing session along with a snack isnt going to hurt anything. They eat iron enriched foods like spinach (blech!).

Its one of those things that every doc says something different on which always leads me to think how much of it is just their own beliefs....