The milk transition

tig594

Very soon we'll be transitioning off formula to milk.  I've been reading up a little on the transitional process.  For those of you who have already been through it I was wondering if you had any tips?  Aria already eats milk products, as I'm sure many babies do.  I don't get the "one year" thing, though.  Is there something magical in our bodies that lets you accept cow's milk at one year of age??  Will it hurt her if I start giving her a little milk at 11 1/2 months?  Also, I've read that whole milk is best but is 2% a bad thing?  I've never been a huge milk drinker myself, especially after the diabetes hit (unless there are brownies around!).  Lastly, about how many gallons of milk should I expect to be going through a week?  TIA!  

jellybean529

We struggled so much with the milk transition. DD HATED it. We wound up doing the Enfamil toddler formula for awhile instead which was tons more expensive, and then switched to whole milk with a little ovaltine mixed in so she'd drink it. DD is exceptionally picky when it comes to food though. We went through about a gallon a week.

I think as far as the kind of milk, it varies depending on the kid and your pediatrician's POV. My DD was below the 5th percentile for weight at age 2 so they told us to keep her on whole milk. She's in the 15th now so we do 2%. I think as long as they're a healthy weight it's okay, but from ages 1-2 they need a little more fat because they're still growing.

tig594

I could totally understand giving her whole milk if she were in the lower percentiles.  She's in the 80-90th now and definitely has some chub.  Just wondering if 2% would be enough for her.  She has her RSV f/u today so I'll be asking her pedi, too.  I'm hoping she tolerates cow's milk well.  I was allergic when I was her age and my mom had to give me goat's milk or I gave it right back to her.  I'm still a little intolerant at times.  She's a little hoover and eats whatever you put in front of her so if she doesn't like it I'd be surprised.  

Hollykathleenr

You should be fine to start switching her a little before a year, I did with both of mine.

With DD1 I started gradually, I would make her a 6 oz bottle of formula and add 2 oz of 2% milk, because 7 years ago I was told 2% milk was better and it was whole milk that was bad, every week I lowered the formula and increased the milk and she did fine as long as the milk was warmed up like her formula. And I actually think I started her on milk at around 9 or 10 months because I couldn't afford the formula any more.

With DD2 at about 11 months I just gave started giving her a bottle of 2% milk (based off DD1) and she did fine again as long as the milk was warm like formula and not cold. Then at 12months I found out that it's switched and they say it's whole milk that is better for her. Since we drink whole milk anyway I just stopped buying the 2% milk.

I don't know how much she actually drinks out of the carton but it seems like between me, DD1, DD2 and our teenage exchange student we go through about a gallon to two gallons every week.

My tip is just warm it up. If your LO doesn't like it mix it with some formula. But if they are already eating milk products and not showing any allergic reactions you should be fine giving them straight milk if they will take it.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

Gamera3000

I'm normally allergic to milk (not while pregnant) so I drink soy milk and use almond milk or coconut milk in cereal. The Very Vanilla soymilk is gd delicious and has all the same nutrients as cow milk. My kid hasn't even come out yet, so I'm obviously no expert. But there are lots of tasty options these days!

tig594

I'm expecting it to be an easy transition with her.  Just wondered if there was anything different or special that others did/tried.   Once this bout of horrible diaper rash is gone I think I might give her a little 2% to see if she likes it.  Thanks, ladies!

MinnesotaMomma91

I read whole milk is better for the first year because there is still so much brain develoupment and after a year you go to two percent