Whole Milk

My pedi says we can start giving the kids a few ounces of whole milk every day (they are 10 mos.) but everything I've read, including from the American Academy of Pediatrics, says to wait a year.

When did you introduce whole milk to your children?

Thanks, Lyn

 

My pedi says we can start giving the kids a few ounces of whole milk every day (they are 10 mos.) but everything I've read, including from the American Academy of Pediatrics, says to wait a year.

When did you introduce whole milk to your children?

Thanks, Lyn

 

All pedis. say different things. Ours does start at 9 months and we did start then with our oldest DD. But since the twins were preemies we are waiting unil next month when they are 1. But I am planning to ask at their RSV shot visit next week if I can start then, which will be 2 weeks before their actual appt. My oldest DD has had no problems with beginning at 9 months. Persoanlly I think it's ok to do, but you need to do what you feel good with.

 

If it is just to get them used to it, I wouldn't have a problem, but I wouldn't replace formula with it at this time. That said, mine didn't have a drop of milk until we switched over at 11 1/2 months.

 

I mix a little in with their cereal in the mornings to try to get them used to it - I'm hoping it will make it easier when we switch. Our Pedi told us at 9 mos it was okay to start with small amounts - even rec. putting it in a sippee cup to help get them started on that too! Good Luck!

 

I was really hoping to do it early just for the sheer cost savings, but a couple things stopped me. One, it's shown to increase risk of diabetes. I would really hate to increase that. Then, I asked our ped. She said it isn't the end of the world to start now, but since they are preemies she highly recommended waiting to 1 year. She said she would only recommend it if they were refusing formula. She said the added nutrients are especially important for the preemies.

I do know there was a thread a while back, and it sounded like a lot of moms here have switched earlier. I'll bet it's OK, but I figured better safe than sorry.

 

Mine were preemies and our ped said breastmilk until 1 year adjusted. I will wait until then to start introducing cow's milk, I guess.

 

my ds started refusing a bottle around 8 months. After trying everything to get him to drink formula, the dr. said go ahead and try milk. we did--he loved it and he's been drinking it ever since. I definitely think it's a guideline to wait until a year...but there are always special circumstances. It's not like something magical happends at 12 months 1 day that makes them digest it better or something. Gradually introducing it seems like the best way to make that transition.

Reyna

 

My pedi told me that I could start switching the girls over at 10 months, but I just didn't feel comfortable with that. They were doing fine on formula and I didn't want to rush things--these are my last babies so I have been taking my time with everything. I didn't switch them until just before their first birthday. Like another post said, do what you feel comfortable with.