Is it ok to give a 9-month-old cow's milk?

My daughter is 9 months old and she is breastfed. I want to wean her so I can go back to work. She refused a bottle since the day she was born. (Even if It had breast milk in it) And another factor is she will not drink baby formula either. I don't know what to do? I got cow's milk when I was 6 months. She knows how to drink from a cup and from a straw. And I really want to give her cow's milk because I don't think she will have a problem with that. She eats ice cream all the time. But I would really like some help ..please.

Cow's milk can cause anemia in babies. Cow's milk itself is deficient in iron plus it can cause gastric bleeding. Babies also have leaky guts meaning that some undigested milk can end up in bloodstream which can cause other problems like allergies and autoimune disseases.

It is prudent to wait until at least 12 months before introducing cow's milk.

I understand your problem if you need to return to work. Is pumping breast milk an option? My wife did that while working full time.

Ok wow, I understand that some people dont agree with the giving babies milk yet, but sheesh dont scare the crap out of people..produce some research to back up your facts (not that I am saying you are wrong). If you choose to go the milk route you can go 1% until around the age of 1 and then from that point on whole milk will help develop their brain until the age of two and then bring them back off the whole milk. But since your baby is 9 months, you should be giving her more than milk. She really shouldnt drink a lot of milk, you should be giving her water, and watered down juice, as well as baby food. But he is right, if you can pump, do that and put it into a sippy cup, breast milk also freezes really well.

That milk causes anemia in infants is widely known. You can search yourself but here is one docterly link I found: http://ww.drpaul.com... Also, if you transition to cow's milk whole milk is prefered at the beginning. The leaky gut issue is a little more controversial. There is continuing research on if there is a link between early consumption of cow's milk and Type 1 diabetes and autoimune disseases so the jury is still out here. Personally I tend to error on the safe side and wait.

I don't mean to scare people but just want the best for everyone.

I breast fed my son for 20 months... yes you can freeze breast milk for up to 3 months and I believe you can keep it in the fridge for 24 hours, and your baby should be having water and juice...as well as solids... best thing is to check with your health visitor.. if your baby doesn't take a bottle then try introducing her to a beaker cup...she will adapt.

I am a registered dietitian and I work for WIC (women, infants, and children). This issues comes up a lot. First of all, I would like to congratulate you for breastfeeding as long as you have! You have given your baby the best start in life, and no formula can duplicate that! The most common problem with starting cow's milk too soon is constipation. Babies' digestive systems aren't ready to digest the protein in cow's milk until ON AVERAGE 12 months old. Some can do fine around 9 or 10 months. Pumping when going back to work is an option. But if that doesn't work well for you, try mixing WHOLE milk with formula 1/2 and 1/2. This will decrease the disruption to her system, and will most likely taste better to her (rather than straight formula). She should be getting at least 26oz per day. And the infant juice is ok, but should be limited to 4oz per day. Whoever said you should limit the milk, and increase the juice is completely wrong. Have fun with increasing her table foods too!

Are you kidding me? You are giving her icecream? The babies digestive track is not fully developed until 12 months of age which is why babies are not to have milk until that age. The enzymes in the milk is too hard for the babies digestive track to break down. Its a gamble I wouldn't be willing to take, but since you are already breaking the rules by giving her icecream, then might as well. There is no difference - milk or icecream.

You've got to be kidding me? Chick need to chill out.

Hi, my baby is almost 11 months old and I just started her with whole milk. I am mixing it still with her formula and she is doing great. She is having no problems at all. I do warm it up though because the cold of the milk kind of threw her off.

Every child is different and trying a little milk is not going to kill the child. It is ridiculous to be so harsh, 'CHICK', to a mother attempting to please and feed her child. I also have given my 9 month old icecream and she is just fine. It was not given as a source of nutrition and only to let her taste. Parents who stifle the expiermentation with food only result in a child who refuses to test and eat new foods, leaving you with a toddler that throws themselves on the floor and will make you prepare different foods. Do what is right for your child. If you see the child can not digest it, don't feed it to her. I tried milk, she could not digest it, no biggie, we went back to formula and all is great. I don't think she has suffered and big health issue, NO KIDDING< CHICK< CHILL OUT!

the solute levels in milk at that age can damage there kidnys. it is best to wait.

Look at Feeding your 8 to 12 month old link below.

http://www.tinyike.com/feeding-your-8-to-12-month-old/

I HONESTLY HAVE NO IDEA, I DONT THINK SO FOR 9 MONTHS, I GAVE MY 2ND SON IT AT 10MONTHS, CAUSE HE WAS WEARING 18MONTHS CLOTHES, AND IN 90TH PERCENTILE AND HE HAD ASTHMA, AND DID FINE, NOW MY 6MONTH OLD IS 13 POUNDS AND PUKES CONSTENTLY, BUT I WAS TOLD MY SOMEONE TO GIVE HIM GOATS OR COWS WHOLE MILK SINCE SOY, AR AND THIS SPECIAL C WORD FORMULA FOR ACID REFLUX, ITS EXPENSIVE DIDNT WORK. I ONLY GAVE IT TO HIM 2 TIMES, THE FIRST WAS 1/2 MILK AND1/2 FORMULA, BUT THE 2ND WAS ALL WHOLE MILK. IT WAS ACTUALLY TODAY AND HE DIDNT PUKE BUT I AM WORRIED ABOUT NUTRITION EVEN THOUGH HE PUKES UP 2 OUNCES OF HTE 5 EVERYTIME ANYWAY.

If the proteins in meat are more complex than the proteins in milk from the same animal then why can we start feeding meat like beef at 8 months but we have to wait another four months for milk? Why would their stomachs not be able to digest the less complex proteins of milk? I don't know the answer, but a good website to check for real facts about all kinds of parenting questions is the American Academy of pediatrics http://www.aap.org/ . I liked the idea of mixing formula with milk for flavor. What about mixing formula with rice milk instead of water. It has a sweetness that may make it more like breastmilk or juice. I wouldn't give rice milk on it's own though as a major nutritional source. It lacks the fat that whole milk and breastmilk provide.

I have no idea either. I'm in the same situation. My daughter is 6 months I'm trying to wean her but she will not take a bottle for nothing not even with breast milk in it. She will drink juice out of a sippy cup and will eat solid foods but no formula or bottle.

I REALLY THINK IT IS FINE. I'M GETTING READY TO TAKE MY 10 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER OFF OF FORMULA TOO.

When my three year old was little, I was to the book as far as introducing foods to her. Now she is a picky eater. currenlty my second one is about to be 9months and I am in the same boat as you with this child. she will not take a bottle or formula and pumping is not really an option for me. We are more relaxed with this one and let her try out new things; such as ice cream; and I have not noticed a reaction to anything. I just asked a bunch of people with kids as to when they started their kids on milk and everyone of them tried at different ages. you know what is best for your child is my theory. plus look back when none of these rules were in place. those people turned out fine and seem to have a lot less allergies back then, then we do today. good luck!!!

Some of your answers have my head spinning! I have worked over seas in many diffrent continents where formula is not available. Parents there have no other option but to give milk from cows, buffalo or goats and the children have grown to be healthy adults.

Lol, this has me cracking up...I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU GIVE YOUR BABY ICE CREAM YOU HORRBLE MOMMY! I am being completely sarcastic of course...My daughter is 7.5 months old, and I let her taste a lot of new things! Today she had peanut butter...uh oh, she will probably be allergic now. How stupid of me...But seriously, Addison has had sips of chocolate milk, and whole milk, and even coke (OMG). I am going back to work also, and she looks at me like I'm crazy when I try to give her a bottle or formula...That stuff tastes SICK! I have given her an oz or so of whole milk a day, to get her system used to it, and will start mixing it 1/2 & 1/2 with formula when she is 9 months...then by 10 or 11 months, we will probably make the big switch. I will still breastfeed in the mornings when we get up, and at night before bedtime. Most of the claims people make about things being bad for our children are theories...so not true. Good luck

This is my first child and I was a little scared at first trying new things for him. He is 10 months old and he is on whole Milk and is doing wonderful on it.You are her mom you now whats best for her. My parents put me on whole milk when I was 6 months old and I turned out just fine. I have a friend who gave her son goats milk when he was 6 months old ,and he is going to be 3 years old next week. Your child gets iron and other things that he or she needs from different foods that you give them. I give my son peanut Butter I now thats a no, no but he dose just fine on it. Common since tells you if your child has a reaction to anything don't give it to him or her again. My friend started her son on whole milk when he was 10 months ,and he is a year and 2 months old and he took to the milk, just had a gas and after she gave him his gas stuff he did just fine on whole milk. I just wanted to share some things that my friends have done and what I have done . Hope that I didn't scare you with any of the things that I have tired for my son. Good luck

try a sippy cup with alittle cows milk, I think the baby will like it

Do you think parents wait for a certain age in countries where they dont have formula or dairy industries telling parents how and when to feed their kids??? Makes you wonder...

I think its fine because I gave my daughter whom is now 4 1/2 years old whole cow milk at 11 months of age because she no longer had a interest for neither formula or breast milk she took the whole milk very well and she ate very well. After 6 months of age our babies start tasting all sorts of new things that actually have a taste to it so my daughter refused to feed off of formula or breast milk and I wanted to keep her gaining weight and getting some type of nutrient in her body. All im trying to say is as her mother you have to what is right for your baby if she can digest the whole milk without no issue give it too her good luck to you and god bless !

I think its fine because I gave my daughter whom is now 4 1/2 years old whole cow milk at 11 months of age because she no longer had a interest for neither formula or breast milk she took the whole milk very well and she ate very well. After 6 months of age our babies start tasting all sorts of new things that actually have a taste to it so my daughter refused to feed off of formula or breast milk and I wanted to keep her gaining weight and getting some type of nutrient in her body. All im trying to say is as her mother you have to what is right for your baby if she can digest the whole milk without no issue give it too her good luck to you and god bless

My 10 month old daughter had eaten ice cream, cheese, and yogurt since she was like 4 months old. She loves it, and her diapers are extremely regular. I just started milk today because she saw her daddy drinking it, and she loves it! I think I am going to give it to her with breakfast to get started, so maybe you could do the same to see how she reacts and see how her diapers look the rest of the day. Only you know how her body works, and I am sure you are smart enough to know if it seems right or wrong, good luck!

My cousins has kids and they gave their kids whole cow milk at 9 months My dad was raised on cow bilk from birth and he is fine!

My cousins has kids and they gave their kids whole cow milk at 9 months My dad was raised on cow bilk from birth and he is fine!

I think that it would be ok if you did that just make sure its not so offten feed her more baby food is she eatting that well?? Make sure shes not alergic to any type of milk. I only say because my daughter needed soy milk and then my son needs lactade milk. Im learning with my son right now he is 11 months and I feed him 2 jars of baby food in the morning then a bottle with a nap mixing formula with some milk and then 2 more jars and whatever my daughter is eating if it be apple cuts or vegtables then at dinner another 2 jars and a bottle to sleep and it works really well feeding them food instead of so much milk because it can mess with them from being constipated because of the iron. Hope my experiences can help you with your time.

No, waaay too early. It is waaay too early for ice cream too! Good job on breastfeeding for 9 months, that is so good for her. If she won't take a bottle try formula or breast milk in a cup. Look around and find a formula she likes, or pump until she is old enough to have milk (around 1 year old).

Some countries do give babies cow's milk and back in the day they did the same. But then again they didn't live as long and/ or developed digestive problems. Same with babies that aren't breastfed. I wasn't and my mother wasn't and we both have digestive problems. I breastfeed my 5 month old in hopes that he won't have the same problem.

Just ask your pediatrician and then he can advise you what to do since all kids are different. I would always rather be safe then sorry.

Good luck with the baby and I'm sure she'll be gobbling up whatever the dr recommends in no time.

OMG, I cannot beleive that parents are judging another parent for giving their children ice cream!? A little ice cream is not going to hurt any child.
My baby is 9 months old and he'll try just about anything. He's been having his bottles 1/2 formula and 1/2 whole milk for about 3 weeks... soon I will start giving him only whole milk. It has not bothered him one bit.
I realize that not all babies will adjust to foods as well as mine. I think it is up to the parent as every parent only does what they think is best for their child. I think it is horrible for fellow parents to be on here judging others for something as harmless as giving a child ice cream.

well my baby boy is nine months old he will be ten months in two weeks and I make his porridge with real milk and in the morning after his porridge he gets 4 oz of cow's milk as he likes it cold from the fridge, my mum said it would not do me any harm I was not a breast fed child and I don't have any digestive problems digestive problems can be a horeditory thing so all of that is noncense my baby also gets freshly a freshly sqeezed orange he eats all his veg including a tiny bit of cabbage on a sunday when thats what we are having he is not over weight he has no bowel or digestive problems he eats ice cream too he is just walking and he's never been I'll I thank god so every parent needs a little advise but to be honest you don't need to be told how to look after your baby your own parets are honestly the best source of advise look at yourself they raised you then ask your self were they that bab cause my mother raised me and I am perfectly healthy so her advise is the only advise I need unless she says she doesn't know.