When to Start Cows Milk...

My grandson is a heart baby, so he sees a numbers of physicians. The physicians have said it is time for him to take cows milk, their suggestion was to do half formula and half cows milk for a few weeks then streight cows milk. My grandson is 10 months old and doing fine. He was 9 months when we started the 1/2&1/2.

You can start him on regular milk now if you would like. I would suggest giving him 2% for a while (maybe a year or so), then cutting it back to a 1% maybe when he's 4 and this should suffice until he's grown and make his own milk choices.

I was wondering the same thing, as my son will be 11 months on the 14th. So thanks to everyone for the advice, now I know that it is okay to start mixing whole milk with his breast milk a little at a time until he is drinking straight whole milk.

My sons doctor at the time (around 10 months old) that we could start introducing the whole milk. We did it very slowly and he didn't have any problems. Do know that whole milk is alot more filling then formula so he may need less then what you would give normally. He was on whole milk a couple weeks before his first birthday. Loved it! no more formula! Good luck!

I did it right at one, I think right after his birthday. I tried just giving it to him and he was having none of that. So then I did what the other mom's suggested I mixed about 1/4 milk and 3/4 formula. Once he was really cool with that, I did 1/2 and 1/2 and so on. I took a couple weeks or so and then he was on straight milk. Good luck!

I started at 11 mo. for both of my kids. Their tummies are able to handle it fine at this age, but it is entirely up to you. Its not an overnight thing. Start slowly adding milk to his formula a little at a time over a week or two until it is entirely milk. If you start now you may even save some on formula to put toward his party!!!!

Regarding response from Nancyrae, DO NOT give 2% or skim. The baby needs the fat in the whole milk and the fat also helps with lactose digestion. Whole milk only; your pedi will agree. Goat's milk has less lactose and is a nice transition milk.

i gave my son whole milk once he turned a year old, he drank it down fine,

It mainly depends on you and when you want to do it. We started the week before his birthday. We did half and and half. Needless to say my son can't have milk (bad gas and bad diapers gave it away). I put him back on 100% formula and then when we went in for his 1 year I talked to the doctor for the best advice. He is now a 100% soy baby. We are now trying to phase out bottles!

Every child is different and what I have learned most over the past year is ask for advice, read it, think about it and then do what you think is best.

When my children are 11 mos 1 week I start the process. I take it slow to make sure all is well. Week 1 I mix 6 oz formula and 2 oz of milk (my kids always drink 8 oz at a time). Week 2 I use 4 oz formula and 4 oz milk. Week 3 I mix 2 oz formula and 6 oz milk. Then they are 12 mos old and can have all milk. I may take it too slow for some peoples opinion but that's how I like to do it.

I personally don't think that you need to give it that much thought. Sometime around one just start mixing whole milk into his formula and every few days add a bit more milk until you are no longer giving formula. There is no exact science to it, just see how your child does and make adjustments from there. All will be fine.

There's nothing magical about that particular day. Of course you can start milk a little before, or a little after and either choice would be perfectly acceptable.

I was on WIC at the time and they had me do this...
at 11 months - give 6 oz. formula 2 oz. whole milk
next week - give 4 oz of each
next week - give 2 oz. formula 6 oz. whole milk
week he turned 1 he went to 8 oz whole milk

Whole milk is important because babies need the milk fat for brain development at least until they are 2. Yes, some kids are allergic to it and have to go 2% or soy. That is ok. But, if he can take it, use whole milk.

My 7 year old still drinks whole milk at home. He gets reduced fat at school and other places he drinks it. Our family prefers the whole milk taste.

I started 2 weeks after my son was 11 months. I did it gradually and by 1 year, he was completely on cow's milk. The transition was much easier than with my daughter, so I recommend this approach. I just mixed a small part regular milk with his formula and gradually increased the amount of milk. I don't even have to heat it up anymore, which is great! Now, if I could just get him to drink it from a hard spout sippy cup, I would be all set!

There is no problem starting your baby a little early on the milk...in fact, my pediatrician was the one that suggested it. I think they want to know how they are able to tolerate it so that you can discuss any problems with them at the 1 year old appointment....makes sense to me! Good luck.

Hi A.,

My pediatrician said to start my baby at 11 months and I did. I started by just giving her 1 ounce cows milk the rest formula for a week. Then I started increasing the ounces of cow milk. I did a week each but my pediatrician said every 3 to 4 days is more than enough to add another ounce of cow milk. This way he should be drinking just cow milk by the time he is 1.

We waited till our son was 13 months. Then we put two ounces at a time of milk into his formula we did this for a week then added a couple more. If he reacted ( spit up) we cut it back by one ounce. It did not take long and we shortened the week by a few days near the end. At 14 months he was only using a sippy cup. Ask your pedi we were told whole milk only. Our kid is really big for his age (17 months and 32 lbs ) Good luck.

I would just wait till after his birthday. Also, you may want to look into giving him goat's milk, as it's much easier for tummies to digest and better for us! Another option is organic soymilk - you could use both! Just something to look into. :)

You can switch at any time. THere is no magic number. Just make sure that is the only thing in his daily diet that is different so you can tell if he is tolerating it. Do that for about a week.

Well my sister has 2 kids and my mom has 4 and they both told me this: give them a little bit and wait 24 hours. if they dont have a bad reaction then go ahead and give it to them. if they do then wait a few more weeks before trying again.

Anytime around (before or after) his 1st birthday is fine. I waited until about a week after...

Hi A.,
Usually by the time your little one weighs 15 lbs is a good time to make the change. It is not important that it be on this day or that day- and making the change should not depend on the birthday- try just a little at a time so he will get used to the change in taste and you will be fine.
good luck and blessings

I have a friend who did all 3 of hers at 10 months. I waited until 1 with my first, 11 months with my 2nd, and very early on with my 3rd. No problems.