Anyone switch to cow's milk before 12 months?

LEJB1985 · May 2013

Hi everyone,

My daughter is a little over 10 and a half months and has been breastfed up until this point. I pump at work and my pump is dying. Half of it no longer works and the other half is struggling. When I called to see about using my waranty, I was told that my pump is not in stock and they don't know when they will be able to replace it. I am able to send back my pump and get a refund (in 4-6 weeks), which is nice, but I got it on sale and with a coupon so the refund is not enough to cover buying a replacement. I have about 15 days worth of frozen milk and I was actually in the process of weaning off the pump with a goal of finish pumping around 11.5 months and just use up my freezer stash to tide us over to the 1 year mark.

My question is - I don't have enough milk to stop pumping now and make it until 1 year and pumping is getting more and more pointless. I got two bottles today in my one session but it took my entire one hour lunch break to do so. DD already eats yogurt every day as well as some cheese with no ill effects and she is a great eater. I intend to keep nursing after a year as long as my supply holds up, so if we start to switch her over she'll still have a morning nursing session and two or so evening sessions and one overnight session, plus all weekend. Does it seem like a viable plan to start trying cow's milk for daycare a little early? If I mix with my stash I can probably stretch it out to avoid having to buy a new pump. Thanks.

mben1119 · May 2013

This is a question for your pediatrician.

vrj0522 · May 2013

I also think you should ask your pedi. We started the switch to formula 2 weeks ago, at 11 1/2 months. However, I am only doing 1/2 and 1/2 until he turns 1 year and then I'll continue the switch.

bigbootyjudi · May 2013

I used a cheap The First Years one ($80) for the first 6 weeks because I couldn't get my PISA until I went back to work. I EP and it worked just fine, pumping every 2 hours. You definitely have other options.

I wouldn't give WCM any earlier than recommended, but I agree, talk to your pediatrician. Why can't you switch to formula for a month and a half? I mean, that's what I would do.

Latham12 · May 2013

I personally wouldn't want to give LO cows milk before 1. I would give her formula for sure. It has so many more nutrients our LO's need right now.

hay1122 · May 2013

Definitely talk to your Pedi. We started weaning DD from breastmilk at 9months and supplemented with formula until about 10 months, while integrating WCM, and then she was on WCM exclusively at 10 months. I think DD is in the minority though, she's always been a good eater with table food so my pedi was comfortable with the switch.

Rooberrywaffles · May 2013

I've given to my 10month old here and there.

lh80 · May 2013

If you're still nursing in the morning, 1 or 2 times in the evening and also once through the night I'm sure your baby will be getting plenty of bm. If you're concerned about giving wcm during the day, just wait til the year mark and offer water instead. My dd is 10.5 months and is down to 2 or 3 feedings a day (ebf). I offer water at all other times and am having no issues in relation to weight gain. She eats 3 meals and a snack or two each day. I do give her dairy by way of yoghurt and cheese and wcm in her oatmeal.

bornmommy · May 2013

To answer your question, we started introducing cows milk at 10 months and have been doing only cows milk since 11 months.

billyjo · May 2013

I stopped pumping at work when my girl turned 8 months so we give her formula during the day and I nurse her in the evening. Her doctor advised us not to give cows milk until a year old because it's hard to digest.

Mrs.SMiller · May 2013

pedi had us start at 9 month checkup. He was on cow's milk and table food since about 11 months. Went in for one year appt today and she said he's doing great!

libra31 · May 2013

Look into renting a pump. Call babies r us or local hospitals that deliver babies if you need a rental place. Or supplement with formula until 1yr.

&orchid& · May 2013

I wouldn't. Not pumping I get, but my pediatrician and all of the stuff on the internetz says formula or breastmilk until at least a year.

Why can't you just give her formula to supplement your breastfeeding?

Anyone switch to cow's milk before 12 months?

Re: Anyone switch to cow's milk before 12 months?

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