The switch to milk

JordynLeighx3

What are the best options?

I know we've still got a while but my girls are coming up on 9 months and I just want to research and get everyone's opinions so I'm ready when the time comes!

Almond milk, soy milk, whole milk, etc...? What are your plans.

If you plan to keep breast feeding, disregard this post. And give yourself a big ole pat on the back.

CanukMam

Im gonna try to breastfeed but when the time comes it will be whole milk

jss1482

We are on formula now but will do whole milk when the time comes!

Kate_C

They don't need cow's milk necessarily, just a higher fat milk. The fat in whole milk is good for their little brains. We will probably try whole milk, but I think DD is lactose sensitive, so she might end up on something else. That is, if she ever eats anything other than breast milk. This kid is totally indifferent to real food. : /

farmerpinky

I want to keep bf , but there is some pressure to wean from H's family. We have nut allergies so good 'ol cow milk (whole) is what we'll do.

kelsea1031

Our plan is to do breastmilk and whole cow's milk.

arschm02

We'll do whole as well, but if LOs weight continues to be on the higher end, I may be switching to 2% or 1% not much longer after the whole milk switch. I get that the fat is good for them but if his body doesn't necessarily need it i would rather keep a lower percentage in the house that DH and I will also possibly use.

MamaAli0722

Thinking almond milk over here. Probably will try mixing in a little flaxseed or olive oil to make sure he gets the extra bit of fat

superToots

we did goat milk with DS2. it's similar in composition to breast milk, and we have digestive issues on both sides. but we're also surrounded by goat farms and can get it at a reasonable price.

Lhyacinth888

I did whole cow's milk when DS was 1 and I was also still breast feeding. Will probably do the same with DD.

MKC12/22/2006

We only drink almond milk at our house, so we will probably try that.

ClandestineX

mrandmrsk91011 said:

We plan on doing whole cows milk 

This is what I plan on doing.

sapphire021

I honestly don't know yet.  I am lactose sensitive, so I don't really drink milk. But when I do, it's usually 1% milk or Lact-aid.  LO is lactose sensitive, but not intolerant. We will probably attempt whole milk first and go from there.

KrisM86

arschm02 said:

We'll do whole as well, but if LOs weight continues to be on the higher end, I may be switching to 2% or 1% not much longer after the whole milk switch. I get that the fat is good for them but if his body doesn't necessarily need it i would rather keep a lower percentage in the house that DH and I will also possibly use.

It's his brain that needs it for proper development.

FYI to those planning to use almond milk or other substitutes, they often don't have enough healthy fats. You can often get enough in by giving extra full fat cheese and yogurt.

arschm02

KrisM86 said:

We'll do whole as well, but if LOs weight continues to be on the higher end, I may be switching to 2% or 1% not much longer after the whole milk switch. I get that the fat is good for them but if his body doesn't necessarily need it i would rather keep a lower percentage in the house that DH and I will also possibly use.

It's his brain that needs it for proper development. FYI to those planning to use almond milk or other substitutes, they often don't have enough healthy fats. You can often get enough in by giving extra full fat cheese and yogurt.

Thanks!

JSS1002

Whole cow's milk -- my only "thing" is that I want hormone-free organic milk (which is what I drink anyway -- I buy 1% for us, but will do Whole for James).

Mommymorticia

This may sound like a stupid question but how do you completely know you have a dairy allergy or sensitivity? Is there a test they can do and do you get diagnosed? Or is it just an assumption based on symptoms? I have asked several doctors about this and gotten a range of answers from, "Everyone is allergic to cow's milk, no one should drink it," to not even acknowledging me.

ARJ6511

We will do organic whole as well. 

When do we switch? A year? I haven't really thought that far ahead, yet. 

Sol1790

ARJ6511 said:

We will do organic whole as well. 

When do we switch? A year? I haven't really thought that far ahead, yet. 

Same question I have. When do you switch? Does the doctor tell you?

agytay

My first LO has a dairy allergy so we do coconut milk for him. It has a fairly high amount of fat, so may just do that route for LO#2 if she ends up being allergic to dairy.

arschm02

We will do organic whole as well. 

When do we switch? A year? I haven't really thought that far ahead, yet. 

Yes, a year. Formula is no longer necessary past that point. Infants do not need as many of the hundreds of nutrients they put in formula. Switching to milk will provide sufficient nutrition at way less cost. Breast milk is fine to continue giving after a year, as it continues to provide antibodies and the breast milk changes as the baby grows.

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hatroopes

So if you continue to bf past a year, do they still need cow's milk?

arschm02

hatroopes said:

So if you continue to bf past a year, do they still need cow's milk?

I don't believe so, but it might not hurt to get them used to the flavor of cows milk for when you do stop breast feeding.... Whenever that may be. Maybe offer it at meal times but still nurse at night or morning. Or whatever combo you want, really.

Angela814

We'll introduce whole milk at 1 year but keep bfing until at least 2.

Angela814

hatroopes said:

So if you continue to bf past a year, do they still need cow's milk?

As long as you're nursing 3-4x a day, they don't need any other milk.

Really, the reason we give other mammal's milk is that babies still require the nutrients in milk until around 2-3 years, and most women aren't still nursing at that point. I'm sure you could give baby what they need through the rest of their diet, but cow's milk is easy and toddlers are picky.

Angela814

farmerpinky said:

I want to keep bf , but there is some pressure to wean from H's family. We have nut allergies so good 'ol cow milk (whole) is what we'll do.

Why does it matter what DH's family thinks? You should do what's right for you, not them.

lilbit0910

Whole Milk for us also

hatroopes

Angela814 said:

So if you continue to bf past a year, do they still need cow's milk?

As long as you're nursing 3-4x a day, they don't need any other milk. Really, the reason we give other mammal's milk is that babies still require the nutrients in milk until around 2-3 years, and most women aren't still nursing at that point. I'm sure you could give baby what they need through the rest of their diet, but cow's milk is easy and toddlers are picky.

Thanks. Not sure if I plan on nursing past a year - we'll play it by ear. DH is lactose intolerant so we typically buy lactaid or soy. I'll speak to her pedi about the best options.