Starting Cows Milk

Twirple · February 2012

Hi Ladies,

I was talking with my Day Care Provider over lunch today about starting cows milk. She is required (by the state) to start giving Chase whole milk at 12 months, rather than BM or formula. In order to do this, we would need to start mixing the milk with his BM or Formula in his bottles at eleven months. I was told not to introduce cows milk until 12 months and since I am slightly lactose intolerant, I was planning on waiting until then, but if my DCP has to be giving him only cows milk by 12 months, I may have to start earlier.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

lilylow · February 2012

Can you get your doctor to write you a note?

I worked in a DC during college and we never had this rule. It's a different state, but it's still your baby, and if you are providing formula/BM I don't see the issue.

To be honest I would research this more to see what the state laws are.

JenniCollins · February 2012

lilylow:
Can you get your doctor to write you a note?
I worked in a DC during college and we never had this rule. It's a different state, but it's still your baby, and if you are providing formula/BM I don't see the issue.
To be honest I would research this more to see what the state laws are.

They are required to follow whatever the doctor says.

shaindelr · February 2012

I think the doctor's note is a good idea. I also might look into Lactose-free whole milk (or whatever Lactaid is). I don't know if I spelled that right, but hopefully you know what I mean.

GHBEA · February 2012

The DC I worked at you needed a doctors note. They can not force it on him if you are not ready yet. I do know at 12ms our DC provided milk for snacks or meals but I never heard it being a law. As long as you provide what ever liquid he needs there should not be a problem.

vanfox · February 2012

It's actually really unlikely that your LO has a lactose intolerance. BM is filled with lactose, way more than cow's milk has! Babies are more likely to be sensitive to the casein in cow's milk. That said, there's no reason a DCP wouldn't be able to give BM at a year, and I agree with what everyone else said about getting a doctor's note if you want to keep sending BM and/or formula.

LoCarb · February 2012

With DD1, we mixed at 11 months. Really the transition should not take more than 7-10 days. You can begin at 12 months. Also, are you nursing or FF? Most formulas are made w/ the cow protein so the transition is easier than you would think.

day 1-3 -> 75% FM or BM 25% WM

Day 4-6-> 50% FM or BM 50% WM

Day 7-9 -> 25% FM or BM 75% WM

Day 10 -> 100% WM

bugandbibs · February 2012

I agree with the advice to get a doctor's note.

I don't plan to introduce WCM at 12 months, or maybe even until 2. Right now, I have enough of a freezer stash to last nine months (in a chest freezer), and plan to use that for drinks.

I am also planning to continue pumping until June (which adds up to an extra bottle everyday). I don't see the value in WCM over bmilk. I'm more concerned about a healthy, varied food diet.

erika_sue · February 2012

Absolutely get a doctor's note. I work in an older infant room, and I currently have a 15 month old who gets only BM and water to drink. Your DCP should be able to follow whatever the doctor says.

StarJay · February 2012

I tried googling for the law (mostly out of curiosity) and had no luck, but I agree with PPs. I would check with them and see if they can work with you to make an exception, be it via a drs note or whatever. I find it hard to believe that the state would have law against providing a child with BM past 12 months, hence my attempted google search.

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