When Should I Give My Son Real Milk

I always talk to my pediatrician first, but here is my advice. I started mixing my son's formula with whole milk, so he would get used to the taste. I gradually faded out the formula. He loves milk now, and I started at about 11 months.

It is probably safe enough to give him cow's milk now. I would start out with just a little though to see how he tolerates it. If you are really nervous though, there would be nothing wrong in waiting maybe a month after he turns one!

I was told to wait until my little girl turned one. I don't think it would hurt him to give him some now, but I would recommend calling his doctor or the nurses and see what they say. The nurses and doctor we see is very helpful and willing to answer questions.

My son turned 1 yr on Sat and I started slowly introducing him whole milk at 11 months and real table food such as mac and cheese and rice, and mashers,etc at 11 months.

I still am giving him formula cause I have a lot of cans left and it's good for him.

Good Luck!

Hi A.,

My pediatrician told me with my girls to start giving them cow's milk when they turned one year old as well, but unless your son have major allergies I can't imagine one month earlier would be harmful to him. I think the doctors just use that as a guideline. As far as what type I gave my kiddos whole milk. Their pediatrician recommended that for the first year and then switching to 2% or 1%. He said they need the fat when they are that little. I hope this helps and remember you know you son best!

J. :)

My daughter just turned 1 last week so we have just made this transition. I started about a week before her birthday mixing milk with formula, gradually using more milk and less formula. She took it just fine once she got used to the milk being cold and was on full milk by her birthday. Use whole milk since they need the fat. I'm sure you could go ahead and start switching now if you want.

Our peditrician said to start 2 weeks before their 1st birthday. And only whole milk until they are 2 years old. They should have 16-24 ounces per day.

Wait until his first birthday. "Real" milk has very little iron in it. Babies need a lot of iron in the first year of life. It is essential for normal blood formation and brain function. A little milk before his first birthday won't hurt, but he should stay on formula or breast milk until his first birthday.

Hi A.,

I began giving my son regular milk when he was 10 months old. I asked the doctor and she said as long as he didn't have any allergic reaction that it was okay. I gradually introduced the milk until he no longer wanted or missed the formula. The doctor also advised me that it has to be regular milk, no 1% or 2% or fat free. They need the fat in the milk. But before you start definitely consult your pediatrician since she/he knows your childs medical history. Hope this helps.

if you have access see babycenter.com at http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/baby/formulafeed/1334703....

if not, in short, you need to wait until his first birthday ... good luck and happy birthday.

Babies should have breast at a minimum of a year. Cows milk can be introduced after this time however, the WHO recommends breastfeeding for 2 years. If you do introduce cows milk it needs to be whole milk (babies need the fat to grow their brains) and I personally would only give organic to avoid exposure to hormones that is in non organic milk.

I've been wondering the same thing. I'd be interested to hear what type of input your receive.

Dear A.,
When my daughter was 11 months old, we started her on whole milk half the day and formula the other half. Then when she turned 1 we started giving her milk the whole day. She didnt have any trouble and I dont really think that something magical happens when they turn one so it probably wouldnt hurt to start milk now.

I have always read that children should not be given cows milk until 1 year of age. It has to do with milk protein being difficult for them to digest. You can check out askdrsears.com for more info.