How can a baby tolerate milk formula but not whole milk?

Question

My son is 11 months old and I started putting 1 once of whole milk in his formula. I was told to introduce it gradually. It made him really gassy and he spit up more (he has reflux/GERD). Doc says give soy milk at 1 year instead. Please HELP with any input. THANKS, Amanda

Answer 1

There is no need to switch to milk at one year. Formula is much better than cow's milk nutritionally and many doctors now say to stay on formula until at least 18 months and only to switch to cow's milk if a blood screening shows high levels of iron.
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/0/T000100.asp#T031014

You will also notice that most formulas have one that goes up to 24 months. The World Health Organization says that breastfeeding should continue until AT LEAST 2 years of age, why would formula be any different. Ideally babies should be on breastmilk or formula until they are weaned entirely to solids, at which point they would no longer require dairy. Don't get me wrong I love my milk, but I know it isn't required nor terribly healthy for adults. So until your son is getting nearly all his nutrition from real food you can keep him on formula.

Also milk formula is so far from milk it isn't really surprising that some babies have trouble with one and not the other.

As for soy... well personally I wouldn't, I don't think that soy in large quantities, particularly processed soy is healthy. Here is some info:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/0/T000100.asp#T031004
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soy#Soy_controversy
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/allerg/fs-if/allergen_soy-soja_e.html

However you need to figure out what is right for your son, I won't tell you that any one thing is guaranteed to work. It isn't. But if he is tolerating formula well, personally I wouldn't switch. I am going to continue to nurse my 10 month old for a long time to come.

Answer 2

Why are you forcing your son to drink something which is clearly making him sick? Remove him from cow's milk entirely and give him a properly balanced diet. There is absolutely nothing in cow's milk that he needs.

Humans are the only animal that drinks milk past infancy, and then it's not even from the correct species! Too many people are still trying to defend milk's supposed health benefits. Unfortunately, they are either using old information or information obtained from research funded by the dairy association. How many people would enjoy a glass of dog's milk or rat's milk? What makes cows special?

There are only two reasons which I've found to support humans drinking cow's milk. We have grown up hearing that it's good for us and we've grown accustomed to the taste and texture. There is absolutely no nutrition that can not be obtained elsewhere, minus the negatives. Calcium seems to be the major claim for milk. It can be found elsewhere in green vegetables, almonds, and many other sources. Where do you think the cows obtain the calcium to put into the milk? Where do other larger animals (elephants, horses, deer, whales, etc) get calcium? Why we continue to drink cow's milk laced with growth hormones, antibiotics, and who knows what else is beyond me.

Since I've given up drinking milk about 5 years ago my health has greatly improved. I suffer fewer allergy problems, asthma and breathing problems are greatly reduced, I'm sleeping better, and I have more energy.

In the '50s smoking was considered harmless but now we realize its dangers. One person at a time and eventually the truth will become widely known that cow's milk is only for baby cows. Milk is indeed the perfect food, but only for infants of the proper species.

Do some research online and decide for yourself.
http://www.strongbones.org/
http://www.notmilk.com/
http://www.nomilk.com/

Answer 3

milk formula is made with whey which is a derivitive of milk and does not have all the other ingredients that make people lactose intolerent. intolerance is not always permanent. natural occuring bacteria in cows milk can be hard on a babies tummy. since aan 11 month old maybe be fussy about taking in straight I would try some of the infant gas drops added to the bottle and see if that helps. sometimes the reflux is caused by the excess gas coming up and not really an upset stomach.

Answer 4

A cow's milk basically has too much protein that the baby cannot digest easily, it has too much fat, can cause allergies and has too much mineral content that the baby does not need. The mineral that it doesn't contain though is iron, which all babies need. Since the contents vary so much among cow's milk and other choices, it has to be gradually introduced so that the babies' body can get used to it. The babies' body has to learn how to properly take in the new food.

I have attached two links that have multitudes of information about baby feeding. It is so confusing at first - however you will be a fantastic mother that will help others in the future to come with your expertise! Good Luck with the son!

Answer 5

It sounds like the whole milk is either too rich for him or he may be latose-intolerant. The formula or soy milk is the best way to go in this case. If whole milk is too rich for him, he amy grow out of it later, but for now do as the doctor asked and he should be fine. You might ask the doctor if you can try goats milk. It is actually a little richer than cow's milk, but doesn't seem to unset the stomach quite as much as cow's milk does. Good luck.

Answer 6

some babies have a cow milk protein intolerance. they grow out of it, but it sounds like your little guy has a problem with it.
give him soy for now and try regular milk in a few months.

many babies have to have soy and then can have regular milk later on in life....

it's fine.

take car.e

Answer 7

My son just turned 1 and made the switch to whole milk, the first bottle gave him extreme diarea 2 times. after that it went away.
I did not mix it or anything, I do not belive in mixing it, I think that would make it to strong.

Answer 8

The proteins in formula are designed to be easier to digest for babies.

What’s the rush?

I kept my children on formula until about 19 months because I wanted to make sure that they were getting proper nutrition.

Answer 9

We had one child with a delicate stomach. Young children particularly can be lactose intolerant (IE milk, cheese, etc). They have trouble digesting the sugar in these dairy products. Formula provides them nutrients but shouldn't upset the stomach. Hopefully they outgrow it although lactose intolerance can last through adult hood with some people.

Answer 10

You should start off with skim milk then gradually work your way up. I am doing that now. My daughter will be 1 next month and I just started giving her regular milk and she took to the 1% best...