Wondering what other mom's do. Those of you who breastfeed past the age of one, do you give cow milk as well or just water? My little one will be turning 1 here in a week, still breastfeeding and will continue to breastfeed until he decides he is done. He has a sippy that he drinks water out of, should the combination of nursing and sippies of water be enough liquids for him? Do you introduce cow milk? My family keeps saying that he needs cow milk after a year, but I just don't quite get how he should "need" it when he will be still nursing.
2007-11-01 04:56:18 · 11 answers · asked by iamhis0 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
No one NEEDS cow's milk. If anyone needed it, it would come from people not cows.
What would kids with milk allergies go if they needed milk to be healthy? They really don't. Any nutrition you can find in milk, you can also find else ware. Excessive cow's milk has been shown to cause certain types of cancers, premature puberty, and even osteoporosis.
My son nursed to 12 months, he will be 2 in 2 weeks and has never had cows milk. His doctor says he's got the healthiest diet of all her toddler patients.
If you really want to give him milk, try rice milk or soy milk. I wouldn't recommend any nut milks until he's at least 2. Until then, breastmilk has everything he needs, even hydration (water).
2007-11-01 06:27:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anne 5 · 7⤊ 0⤋
I believe it depends on how often he's nursing. I gave both of mine cow's milk at one year old. With my first, I was working, so I was glad to be done pumping! With my second, I quit my job, but I gave her milk in a sippy because that's what sister had, so that's what the little one wanted.
If you're still nursing as often as the baby asks, then don't even worry about cow's milk. If you're starting to limit breastfeeding, then cow's milk might be appropriate. There is no need for your child to drink cow's milk at all. As others have probably said, he will not magically turn into a calf on his first birthday! Tell your family that the dairy industry made up the story about babies needing cow's milk.
2007-11-01 15:44:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why would he need cow's milk when he can still have mother's milk? I don't understand why a human baby would somehow need cow's milk at the same time he can enjoy all the benefit's of breast milk, that is made to suit his particular needs at every stage.
My daughter will be one in a month ( I can't believe she's almost there!!!), and I don't plan to give her any cow's milk. I'll be breastfeeding her for as long as she wants. Hopefully at least 2 years.
I think you're right in thinking your baby only needs your milk.
You are a very informed mother. (I have seen your answers). You know what's best for him. Don't let others make you second guess your self. Though they mean well, but you know better.
As far as water is concerned, I think by one year it's good to have some water. How much, would depend on how often he nurses. The less he nurses the more he should have other liquids like water or juice. If he needs milk though, let him have it from the best source! :)
Good luck, and happy 1st birthday to your little boy.
2007-11-01 05:13:55 · answer #3 · answered by chloe 5 · 7⤊ 0⤋
I recognize your name from other questions, and I've liked many of your answers - just FYI!
It's nothing new for me to tell you that your baby doesn't need cow's milk (many others have said so before me), especially since you're being such a good mama and breastfeeding him still. Good for you researching before just doing! As someone else stated, MANY people have lactose intolerance, probably because we weren't really designed the drink milk from another mammal (we're the only mammal that does so). The "nutrition" in milk is WAY overrated - it's actually not all the good for us anyway. We can't absorb the calcium or many of the vitamens, so really all he would get would be the milkfat. Don't get me wrong - I personally LOVE milk and milk products (don't get in between me and cheese or ice cream) but I won't be giving my 15 month old cow's milk until she's quite a bit older - probably at least 5, if ever. If you decide he needs more variety as he gets older and starts outright asking for something else besides water or breastmilk, try soy! Good luck!
2007-11-01 13:38:31 · answer #4 · answered by Lacta-intactivist Mama! 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
My kids didn't really get much cow's milk until they weaned, which was after age 2 for the oldest and after 3 for the youngest. I would on occasion give them a little bit of whole milk in their sippy cup, but most of the time I just nursed. At least I knew that if they were having one of those picky toddler days when they barely ate anything that they were getting nutrition.
2007-11-02 10:52:53 · answer #5 · answered by nightynightnurse 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I breastfeed until my daughter was nearly 14 months, but at night she always got a top-up of formula milk. Your Son doesn't 'need' cow's milk, as yours, is most obviously the best for him. The reason babies shouldn't have it before one year old is that it's too low in iron. When you are ready to stop breastfeeding then reduce the amount you breastfeed by and then offer a top up in his sippy with cows milk. If he doesn't like it then mix it with a bit of your own milk, say half -half, to start with and gently lower the amount of your own milk used until he is then having pure cow's milk. That's my advice to you. But, if you are both still happy breastfeeding then carry on. Your the Mum, you know what's best for your baby and ignore well-meaning family members and do what feels right for you and your son. All the best to you for your son's birthday. It's an exciting time.
2007-11-01 05:10:59 · answer #6 · answered by Woosie 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
He doesn't NEED it, he's getting "real" milk from you. He's not a calf, he's a baby. It cracks me up when people say they need cow milk. They don't, cow milk is a convenience, not a necessity. Cow milk is an easy way for non-nursing toddlers to get their fat and protein requirements, obviously, since you're nursing, it's not necessary.
I did introduce whole milk to my first after 13 months or so, but he (of course) didn't like it one bit. Your milk is sweet, and to the baby's palate, cow milk is slightly sour. So, you can introduce cow milk all you want, it doesn't mean he'll want to drink it.
I now have a 7 month old and plan on doing the same as you: nursing and sippies of water. That's plenty of liquid, fats, and nutrition.
2007-11-01 05:08:38 · answer #7 · answered by maegs33 6 · 9⤊ 0⤋
Good for you both. Baby led weaning is the way to go<3 I have 4 children that breast fed til between13 and 21 months. I let them wean on their own also. I too was conscerended about when to introduce whole milk into their diets. I started them on 3 oz breast milk one ounce whole milk when they got to the point that they were nursing only 2 times a day. I had 2 children that were intolerant of whole milk. They would have stomach problem for days.
I would suggest mixing the two for one feeding a day if he starts to nurse less than twice a day. If he is having at least 2 good feedings a day and 4 ounces of juice and water he is getting plenty of fluid.
2007-11-01 05:16:42 · answer #8 · answered by lovemyittybitty 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your baby doesn't "need" cows milk. If you are breastfeeding your baby is getting the best there is. I am currently breastfeeding my 13 month old. I have tried giving her milk just to see if she will try it and she spits it right back out. Water is the best to give if you are still breastfeeding and all that he needs.
2007-11-01 05:18:22 · answer #9 · answered by howdesdoit 3 · 7⤊ 0⤋
no he doesn't need it...that why he has YOUR milk
i don't understand why americans have it in their heads that ppl "need " cows milk.....isn't that silly??
your son hasn't suddently turned into a calf right?
keep nursing him .......and ALL mammals by the way are meant to nurse and wean on their own time frame.....and then never drink milk again
do you see calves weaning and then requesting to drink human milk?.....or other mammals looking for another species milk to drink?
2007-11-01 06:41:08 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 9⤊ 0⤋