Seeking Opinions on Giving Cow's Milk Prior to 1 Year

I had to have a benign lump removed so I could not pump, but our doctor mentioned raw goat milk (a little unconventional and you will probably get a lot of comments on that) but he stated it is the closest thing to mother's milk. I started this at about 10 months, and gave him only goat milk until 18 months - and still do occaisionally now during the winter months to help fight off colds... it might be something worth looking into. I also warmed it so it wasn't cold (goat milk has to be kept really cold or you can freeeze - treat it like breast milk). I am sure you have already tried this, but maybe try warming the formula and mixing slightly with breast milk - to get her adjusted to taste... good luck.

Hi A.,

I did give my son cow's milk at about the same age as your daughter... I substituted one breast feeding a day with cow's milk, gradually working up to about 1/2 nursing & 1/2 cow's milk at 12 months. I know it's not what is recommended, but I couldn't see that 6 weeks was going to make that big a difference.

BUT, if your daughter is eating other dairy & drinking water as well as nursing some, I think she is probably getting enough calcium, vitamin D & fluids, and you probably don't need to worry about it at all.

Try it and see what happens. That is really the only way you will know if it will work for her. Nothing magical happens on their first birthday; it's merely a guideline.

If cow's milk seems to upset her tummy, try goat's milk. My son is 14 months old and can not tolerate cow's milk, which we tried at 10 months. He does just fine on goat's milk. It is more expensive, but you can get it just about anywhere. Rainbow, Lund's/Byerly's, Whole Foods, and all the co-ops carry it. IME, the co-ops are by far the cheapest. Good luck.

Yeah, you probably WILL get a lot of opinions on this one! :) My daughter is about the same age, and is behaving exactly the same way. She barely has time to nurse anymore, but I'm going to continue breastfeeding (or giving her pumped milk) at least until she's one. I'm hesitant to give her cow's milk although she's getting other dairy. They are processed differently (yogurt/cheese vs. straight milk), so I think that's the idea behind waiting till age one.

You could always try little bits of cow milk here & there, but I'd maybe stick to other forms of dairy rather than going to straight milk before age one. With my daughter, I'm trying to nurse as frequently as she'll let me (we still nurse 3-4 times a night & she takes about 8-10oz at daycare during the day), but it's tough some days!

You've made it so far! Only another month & a half to go - congratulations! :)

My first son we gave him cows milk at 10 months. He was getting enough nutrients from everything else so we gave it a try. He did great, no reactions to it at all. Now my second one we just started giving him cows milk, he breastfeed a bit longer than my first. We are still putting an once of breast milk in with the cows milk. As long as they are eating well I don't see it as a problem. Good luck with your decision.

You are probably going to get a lot of different opinions on this one. I think its fine. I started giving regualar milk to two of my kids prior to their 1st birthday. One of them I started giving at 9 months. I just didn't have that much milk anymore. Her pediatrician said it was fine as long as she is getting as much breast milk as milk...so half and half. I would still try to breastfeed as much as you can, but try to put whole milk in a cup during the day.
Good luck!

SHE IS NOT WEANING! Babies don't wean themselves, she is just on a little strike. Keep offering at her usual times... you may have to make adjustments... darker room, no noise, get a nursing necklace to keep her interested while at the breast.

Keep offering, she will come back to the breast. She is fine with what she is gettin right now, and she will come back full force and all will be fine. Just keep offering, adjust a bit, and don't give up. And no cows milk yet.... she's not ready.