I feed my baby Whole milk at 11 months old........?

Question

I just looked at a question where someone asked if it is harmful to feed their baby 2% milk. I know you're supposed to give baby formula for the 1st 12 months of their lives, but my kid has been eating solids since she was 6 months old. Every day, morning noon and night. She eats table foods now, practically off all baby food now. I decided to take her off formula since she is taking so good to all foods now. I feed her a very balanced diet every day. I make sure she has her fruits, veggies, dairy, meats, everything every day. She loves her Whole milk. Is that bad that I took her off of formula before 12 months. She's been soley on Whole milk now for about a month. She will be 1 on 10/15/07. She seems so happy, content, and VERY healthy. I know she is gaining weight and she is just so cute and happy. I know everything is o.k. with her health wise, but why is that bad for a baby to give 2% mile before they are 1, even if they are taking well to table foods?

Answer 1

I think it's fine, as long as she's getting nutrition from table foods, which it sounds like she is. I think that guideline is to ensure that babies who start solids late or who are picky eaters get the required nutrition, at least for the first year. I also started my daughter on whole milk when she was around 11 months old - did a half and half thing to be sure she tolerated it, and she was completely on whole milk by the time she turned 1.

As for the 2% milk vs. whole - they recommend that kids have whole milk for the second year of their life, again because of the high fat and calorie content, which they really do need for their rapidly growing bodies. You should switch to 2% or less when they turn 2.

Answer 2

Their digestive tracts are not complete. They are still growing and some babies cannot tolerate foods like that until around age 12 months. If your baby starts getting constipated you might want to give her some normal baby food and baby juice, otherwise use your insticts. I think you are doing a very good job.

As far as the 2% milk, and whole milk for that matter, it doesn't have enough vitamins and nutrients, not like formula or breast milk. Plus cow milk has pus in it, I don't think doctor's take that into consideration when they tell you no milk until 12 months, but it is just a thought I wanted to share.

But anyway I think you are doing a very good job with your baby. You said she was healthy and happy, so good job!

Answer 3

Around 11 months I started weening my kids off formula and onto whole milk. I started with 1/3 milk the rest formula for a week to see if there was any reactions, then I would move to half milk and half formula for another week. Finally around week 3 I gave 1/3 formula the rest milk. By 12 months of age they were on whole milk with no problems!

Answer 4

When I was a baby, many new mothers were given a recipe when they left the hospital on how to make their own baby formula. This was at a time when commercially prepared formulas were rare and hard to find. The formula consisted of a mixture of cow's milk and Karo Syrup. Then the mothers were advised to start their babies on solid foods by the time they were about four months old. Millions of babies who were born around the same time as I was survived just fine on this mixture so yours will, too.

Answer 5

My sister had the same dilemma. Initially, pediatricians told parents to have their kids drink whole milk up to age 5 for the fat content.

Unfortunately, today, most kids get enough fat. When I checked the Internet and then asked our pediatrician (and had my sister do the same with her Dr. in Chicago) everything said that it's fine to do 1% or 2% after two years if they are gaining weight and growing sufficiently without it. A possible exception: If your child's gaining weight too quickly for his height, your pediatrician may recommend switching to low-fat milk before age 2.

Of course, only you and your pediatrician can decide what is best for your sweet baby.

Answer 6

The fatty content helps brain development and 2% doesn't have it like whole milk does. I wouldn't worry, the fact she started whole milk before a year will not cripple her. She sounds very happy and healthy.

Answer 7

my daughter's pediatrician recommended we give her whole milk instead of formula at about 10 1/2 months. pretty sure he said at 9 months to take her off baby food. i was shocked because didn't read any of that in any baby book. i was one of those first time mom's that listened to the doctor. guess he must of made it easy for me.

Answer 8

If your baby hasn't had a bad reaction, don't worry about changing her to milk so soon. I was told to wait until they are 12 months for whole milk and to keep them on whole milk until they are 2 because they need the fat. Otherwise, I don't know why it would be bad to do 2% milk.

Answer 9

It's not bad unless food allergies run in the family. You're doing fine w/ your baby. My son's doctor gave the okay to give him whole milk at 10 months of age, but again we don't have food allergies in our extended family.

Answer 10

Children under 5 should get whole milk because that is the period when their brains are growing the most. I have no idea why some doctors are recommending 2% before then since NONE, not a single, study has shown that this situation has changed. However, if you have a baby that is very overweight, I can understand the recommendation, but not the wholesale every single kid advice.