BF - introducing cow's milk?

Soxgirl07 · January 2012

Let me preface this by saying I do not want to wean and that I'm asking for planning purposes way in advance, I know not to give my 7 month old cow's milk.

But, when can he start getting some?

I've been pumping since I went back to work in September and until recently, I more or less kept up with him. Lately, I'm short at least 3 oz a day. I can make up the difference with my freezer stash, but that obviously can't last forever. I think, worst case scenario, I can make it through March, hopefully even longer. At that point he should be 8-9 months old.

Some sources I've read say introducing cow's milk at that age is ok, some say it isn't... I'm going to ask the pedi too, but wwyd? Give him a few ounces of cow's milk to make up the difference? Send extra solids to daycare to tide him over? Or just suck it up and start supplementing with formula? I know nothing's wrong with formula, but if he doesn't need it, I'd rather not start.

SavedByLove · January 2012

I'm not 100% sure on the cow's milk part of the question, I had always heard 1 year give or take. You can probably ask your pedi.

All I wanted to offer was to say that I was also running a couple ounces short for a while. What I did was I re-introduced one morning pump on Saturday and Sunday ( I had taken it out and that's when I started to drop). I do it right after my morning nursing session. I then add this to my Friday pumping supply and it helps get me through the week without touching the freezer stash.

Just a thought. Good luck!

bellelamb · January 2012

I know my pedi does not recommend starting cows milk until at least a year old. Starting it too early can lead to allergies and other problems plus cows milk doesn't have all of the same nutritional benefits as bm or formula. That being said remember as lo gets older you will be feeding more solid foods and less bm will be necessary. I think you would be far better off introducing some formula if you need to than to introduce cows milk too early.

danienross · January 2012

We were told 1yr and that it should only be whole milk. Honestly, we really haven't introduced it yet. The WIC nutritionist told me that since we still nurse so often, that cow's milk was unnecessary as long as DD is getting enough dairy else where.

Although I just got a BFP so we'll see how my supply holds up and we may get serious about the cow's milk.

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