Weaning directly to cow's milk?

Question

Did anyone wean directly to cow's milk before the recommended 12 months old...if so how old and how did it go (any adverse effects)?

My milk supply seems to be diminishing and I have tried supplementing with formula today for the first time...my son refused it adamantly after 2 sips and wouldn't even take the cup after I refilled it with juice until I dipped the sippy part in the juice to prove to him it was not the formula.

Answer 1

Well it was always recommended 10 months to me with all 3 of my children, and I did go directly to cows milk then with the first one, I just started giving a little in a sippy cup or bottle with no problem. The second was around 11 months since she went straight to a cup and again no problem and the third well he wouldn't stop nursing so I don't recall exactly when I gave him cow's milk. I think if there is no lactose intolerance in your immediate family there is less of a chance of a reaction. Just start off slowly with a small bottle or sippy a day maybe at lunch or something. As long as the child is eating all the food groups it needs and getting all it's vitamins and minerals then going to cow's milk is fine at 10-12 months of age.

Answer 2

My middle daughter weaned herself from breast feeding at 11 months. She walked at 10 months and had an older brother and sister she was determined to keep up with. I couldn't get her to sit still long enough to nurse. I called my pediatrician about what to do about the milk issue since she had never had formula I didn't know what I should give her. He said not to worry about formula for 1 month and just go to whole cow's milk. There was nothing "magic" about 12 months to have cow's milk other than it was easy for parents to remember and the risk of lactose sensitivity was considerably diminished by then. Because my daughter desperately wanted to do what big sister and big brother did, giving her whole milk in a cup at meals instead of water or juice worked just fine. She didn't have a bit of trouble with the switch.

Answer 3

I breastfeed my daughter until she was 14 1/2 months old, but my goal was 12 months... Her doctor told me at 10 months she could straight to get cows milk. So I slowly dropped breast feedings. By the time she was 12 months old I only breastfeed her at night to get to sleep, other then that she got cows milk throughout the day. What does your babies doctor say to do? I just talked to a girlfriend of mine with an 11 month old and her doctor said absolutely no cows milk till the baby is 12 months old. I think it really depends on the doctor and their feelings on the topic.

Good luck.

Answer 4

I had my son on whole at like 11 months!! The best thing to do is for about a week or 2 mix his formula with whole milk!! Start with about 1/4 milk, 3/4 formula and work your way up to more milk than formula!! That way his little tummy can adjust to eat easier!! I had no probs and my son was on soy formula and done great with whole milk!!

Answer 5

I have 3 kids, My first i had to wait until the 12 months, he wasn't in any hurry to get off formula. My second son was off of formula at 10 months with no side effects at all, he was in a huge hurry to eat and try whatever he could. My third child (a girl) was harder to wean off... I tried when she was about 11 month mixing alittle milk with her formula and she got really sick, I ended waiting until she was about 14 months with no problems... I would just try alittle bit and see what happens, if they don't seemed bothered by it, try alittle more... I hope this helps...

Answer 6

If babies can't get breastmilk, they should have formula until a year old, period. Cow's milk simply doesn't have all the nutrients needed by babies under a year. Also, their systems aren't ready to break down cow's milk until around a year old. The cow's milk used in formula is already paritally broken down. It can mess them up and leave them under-nourished. Just keep trying with the formula, and in time your baby will accept it, especially if it's hungry enough.

Also, don't use soy like some idiot suggested. That also doesn't have enough nutrients and usually causes constipation and gas in babies.

Answer 7

I started giving my son milk w/ his formula at like 10 1/2 months, but my dr said i could give a bottle of formula and a bottle of milk and alternate them....but at 12 months he went strictly to reg milk w/ no problem....

My sister had to wait until 12 months b/c her son was on lacto free formula and she has just started giving him whole milk and no formula w/ no prob....

Answer 8

Its not good until they hit 1 year old. Their digestive system isn't ready for cow's milk until then. So just wait it out a little bit. There is no need to rush.

Answer 9

I wouldn't just because there's problems with that with my kids and it's a nightmare if it happens. It really can mess with their system down the road too. Need to do soy if not formula. cry,cry,cry if not.