what's the deal with cow's milk?

honkytonk_kid · January 2012

Forgive me if this is a stupid question. I think I already know the answer, but a few things lately have me questioning myself.

What is the deal with pushing cow's milk? It seems to me that WCM is a convenient source of many nutrients, but the push to have 3 servings a day is based on the assumption that baby has transitioned off formula or weaning at a year, right? There is no reason to push LO to drink cow's milk if he is still nursing 5+ times a day, is there? He eats yogurt basically every day, and cheese pretty frequently, but I read earlier (on TB, not a "real" source) that 16-24oz of WCM is recommended- that is a ton of milk!

Like I said, I'm pretty sure I know that the answer to my question is that the "norm" is based on formula fed babies, but reassure me, please!

Matt Dvorak · January 2012

I agree that if your baby is still getting plenty of human milk that it is not necessary. And I also think that humans could go forever without drinking cows milk and get the appropriate nutrition elsewhere if they wanted - after all, cows milk is built perfectly for a baby cow and not for us.

(however, I like cows milk so I drink it plenty!)

hannafemme · January 2012

We are vegan and have no intention to give LO any cow's milk ever! We will probably give some unsweetened almond milk but not til after he self weans, whenever that will be!

rosiemomma · January 2012

Yes they want a weaned baby drinking that much a baby that nurses 5 times is getting plenty of milk from mom.

I nurse my 2 year old and she rarely has cows-milk (when I get coffee she gets steamed milk) We also aren't big dairy people so she doesn't get these regularly either... well she grows great she has never needed anything more than my milk.

If you need more credible info here click these:

https://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html

https://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/toddler-foods.html

https://www.drmomma.org/2008/01/10-reasons-to-nurse-your-toddler.html

https://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/milk/milk-supplements.html

AimeeL85 · January 2012

My LO is the same age as yours and our pedi said that if he is still nursing (he nurses 4-6 times in 24 hours) that I can definitely hold off on WCM, which is what we are doing. My understanding also is that they just need the WCM if they have weaned.

I just hope the 16-24 oz. thing doesn't go for breastmilk, too, because the 3 days I work, DS will not drink that much pumped milk at all, we're lucky if he'll even take 6 (but he'll nurse a bunch before and after).

AimeeL85 · January 2012

lincolngirl:
I agree that if your baby is still getting plenty of human milk that it is not necessary. And I also think that humans could go forever without drinking cows milk and get the appropriate nutrition elsewhere if they wanted - after all, cows milk is built perfectly for a baby cow and not for us.
(however, I like cows milk so I drink it plenty!)

I agree! I can't stand when friends or family ask when I will start giving him "regular milk." Umm it's not regular milk....it's breastmilk from a cow. We're the only mammals that switch our young to another mammal's milk, it's definitely not "normal." I drink quite a bit too though!

Angela814 · January 2012

I read that if your toddler is nursing 4x, they don't need any other milk. We definitely don't push cow's milk here. I have no idea how much DD2 drinks. DD1 may have 8oz one day and 12oz the next. I don't pay much attention. She doesn't drink a ton of milk compared to other kids, but she eats a lot of different things.

Anyway, I look at 16oz of milk as counting any kind of milk or dairy. So with DD2 nursing at least 3-4x a day, she's getting probably 9-12oz bm. Then she loves yogurt and cheese, so that alone probably brings her up to the 16oz requirement. She probably drinks one sippy of WCM at home between breakfast, lunch, and dinner - so that's 6-8oz.

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