Is it safe to switch my baby from formula to cows milk if she is anemic?

Question

My daughter is eleven months old and I was just about to run out of formula so I was just going to switch her to cow's milk now. She has always taken well to any formula. Never had spit up or colic problems so I wasn't worried. Plus, she always steals the older kids bottles at day care that drink whole milk. She was just diagnosed borderline anemic about a month ago. So I am worried she won't be getting enough iron from the regular milk. Do you think there is a significant difference in the amount of iron.

Answer 1

No. Too much cows milk can also cause anemia. Talk to your doctor first

Answer 2

If you are going to give her cows milk, and she is already anemic using formula, then you need to give her more iron. Try beef. Works better than almost anything else.

There's lots of iron in formula. She needs more from another source.

Answer 3

I would keep her on formula until she is at least 1 year. When you do switch her, it should be whole milk and I would highly recommend organic. It is produced by cows that are not given the growth hormones and antibiotics that most cows are dosed with. It does cost more, but I believe it is worth it. As for the iron issues, there are many iron fortifed cereals for babies. Mine always liked them mixed with the baby food fruits and preferred the oatmeal. Egg yolks are rich in iron(cooked of course) are ok for babies under 1, but not egg whites.

Answer 4

I have been anemic since I was a child. And I drink whole milk. But I also still have to take an iron pill. So before you do anything. Talk to her ped.

Answer 5

Have you talked to your doc? It seems strange that she would be anemic since the formula and cereals are all iron enriched. Maybe she needs an extra iron supplement.

Answer 6

Straight cow's milk is probably better for her than formula. Add iron-rich foods to her diet, and ask her doctor about an iron supplement if needed.

Foods that are a good source of iron include:

* liver
* lean red meats, including beef, pork, lamb
* seafood, such as oysters, clams, tuna, salmon, and shrimp, etc.
* beans, including kidney, lima, navy, black, pinto, soy beans, and lentils
* iron fortified whole grains, including cereals, breads, rice, and pasta
* greens, including collard greens, kale, mustard greens, spinach, and turnip greens
* tofu
* vegetables, including broccoli, swiss chard, asparagus, parsley, watercress, brussel sprouts
* chicken and turkey
* blackstrap molasses
* nuts
* egg yolks
* dried fruits, such as raisins, prunes, dates and apricots

Answer 7

I would ask the doctor first. He might want to give her extra vitamins.