From Formula to Milk

Hi N.,
If I had it to do over, I would have moved my kids over to goat's milk after one year. Goat's milk is closer to mother's milk and is so much easier for people to digest. Cows's milk is a mucus producer. It causes us to produce mucus throughout our digestive track, including the intestines. Iflammation causes all kinds of illnesses.

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I personally would not worry aout the bottle, kids give them up soon enough, as long as he is not sleeping with it in his mouth.

If your baby does well with the cows milk, rest assured that he is getting all he needs. Even with the price of milk right now, it still may be a bit less expensive too. Don't sweat the cold milk. I breast feed until a year, and when I started giving mine milk, ( I have four ) I never warmed it and they never seemed to mind. Depends on really how the child likes it.
Good luck,
C.

You said that he still drinks 4 bottles per day. With that, I'd probably lean toward continuing with formula, too, because he's still getting a lot of his calories from it. When he starts eating more meals a day and drinking a little less, then might be a good time to switch to milk. Although, switching now may help him to want to eat more "real" food since he won't be sustained for quite as long as with formula.

I also think trying to wean him away from the bottle and to a regular cup or sippy cup will help with him eating more and drinking less. It's super easy to drink from a bottle when that's all you've really been doing. He would naturally lean toward doing what's easy over trying to learn a harder task of chewing, swallowing and feeding himself with new flavors and textures. The temprature shouldn't matter. If he doesn't initally want the cold milk, you can heat it for a while and gradually make it less and less warm until it's fridge cold and he will gradually get used to it rather than being shocked into the new temperature.

I don't think it's necessary to continue with formula for nutritional reasons, but it won't hurt. Formula is definitely more expensive than milk, though. Hope this helped. Good luck.

I have twin girls who just also turned one over the weekend. My doctor told me to start with a little whole milk and add it to the formula. Even if your son takes the whole milk no problem, I still think you should do half and half because I think it could really upset his stomach. And I have been heating up the milk comparable to what the formula temperature was. But if your son takes cold whole milk then great.

There is no reason to continue formula. It doesn't taste as good, it's expensive and not natural. The only reason a smaller child benefits from it is because there is a risk of allergy to cow's milk and they need the extra nutrients in formula when they are not eating a variety of other foods. By 1 yr, most children are capable of eating other foods to get the nutrients. As far as warm vs. cold milk & bottles vs. sippies, I will just say this...the longer you wait to break the bottle habit, the harder it will be. I would recommend breaking the habit as soon as possible if only to avoid a bigger nightmare later on. Cold milk will not cause a tummy ache or any kinds of problems. With my kids, I gave them cold milk and I never gave it to them in a bottle - only a sippy. It took one of them a little while to figure out the sippy, but when that is their only option, they will take it. My kids never knew warm milk was an option and they were fine with it. To this day, my kids love milk. I have acquaintances who warmed the milk, gave it to their kids in bottles, let them have the bottles for a long, long time and most of their kids will not drink milk now. I don't know if that would be a problem for you, but if it would, it's something to think about. Getting kids used to healthy foods at as early an age as possible is the best way to ensure healthy eating habits and taste for healthy food throughout their lives. Good luck!

Hi I have a degree in nutrition with an emphasis in prenatal, postnatal, and early childhood. If your baby didn't fuss with the milk flavor he is ready for the change. The problem with keeping you child on formula, especially 4 bottles a day, is that he will get full from the formula and will be less likely to get the nutrients he needs from solid foods. Yes formula has more nutrients than milk but by the time your child was 9 months old the formula was no longer providing all the nutrients he needed.
During the day do not give him a bottle! You can offer him milk or juice in the sippy or a regular cup. The bottle is a security item for him so he may fuss at first but when he is thirsty he will take the sippy. Plus most kids prefer the sippy cup because of the sweeter flavor of the juice. Also make sure you provide him plenty of snacks throughout the day.
Temperature does not cause tummy aches. You can actually give a small infant 3 months old a cold bottle without any adverse effects. The warmer temperature is soothing just like hot chocolate is to adults. Hope this helps.

Formula is a little expensive in my opinion, but I think that if you want to still give your baby formula, you can. I know that they even have formula out there for older babies too. I personally had enough milk that I didn't give my son formula at all. We went straight to cow's milk at 15 months. I did warm it up for the first little while, gradually warming less and less until he drank it straight from the fridge. I don't think the temperature will cause a tummy ache, but it might take him a little while to get used to it. As for weaning off the bottle, it can be different for each child, but I found it easiest to give a bottle in the morning and afternoon and then do a sippy cup at meal times. IF he is not interested in sippies, try one with a soft type that is more like a nipple. IT may tempt him. And if he really isn't interested in the sippy, try a cup. My mom went right from breastfeeding to the cup. (I am sure she had to clean up a lot of spills). Good luck with the new addition too.

I would think formula is better than cow's milk. In fact, some believe that cow's milk is strictly for cows. I plan to continue to pump and give my baby breast milk at least for a few months after the first year. I heard that Walmart sells sippy cups with a soft mouthpiece. That might help.

First off there is new formula for 9-24 months out on the market. Second of all you never have to warm up formula or milk. The reason for warming up formula or milk is due to children that have been breast fed are used to it being warm, but there is no medical reason for doing so. Three of my children prefer cold milk over even warm and always have. I would say that you are the mother and know what is best for your baby, and if you prefer formula then go for it. As far as a sippy cup...I would just try to give it to your child at feeding time and sooner or later they will start drinking from it. Once they do so with out prompting then you can replace the bottle for the most part. Sometimes bed time is more difficult, but it will work when you decide YOU can handle them being upset over the transition. Good luck!!!

I don't know anything about formula, but maybe if you try a straw cup it will work. My son wasn't interested in sippy cups, though he would take regular cups with no lid or anything, but he was far more willing to drink out of a straw, because mom and dad did. There are some really good no-spill straw cups out there, so it's worth a try! Worked for us.

Good luck!
S.

N.,
Cows milk is fine for your child, I would find a natural source or an organic source if possible. Start weaning to a cup, children need their milk, and I also used yogart to help wean my children, it was still dairy but with a bit of fruit. It helps you and them, don't let the bottle take the place of the time you should be spending with your child. It is very easy to give your child a bottle and send them off, I never gave my boys a bottle without holding them, they need your attention, and weaning takes a great deal of attention. The temp doesn't really matter, but the attention does. A small cup of yogart and a story at bedtime is good for both of you. My boys loved to be read to even in 4th grade, we would pick a story to go with the season and read a chapter or two, but it was the time we spent together that made the difference. Kids need our attention, they need to know we love them, and they love us. I have two boys 23 and 22, they still love to come home and many times bring college friends. The friends love the fact that we all eat together, we watch the same TV for movies or whatever we are doing. Most kids had a TV in thier room and just didn't get the attention that they needed, they say they really missed out on the good things in life, the time of the parents. Best of luck,
V.

switching to a sippy can be tricky... I had a hard time with my second son switching... He stayed on formula until he as 18month. It was great in some ways (he is a small child so it gave him extra nurishment) and a pain in other ways (We allways had to pack formula still and it costs a little more).

The sippy cup, both my kids used silcone nipples and I found switching them using a nuby silcone top (walmart carries them) was the easiest. Both of my sons related to the texture better then the hard top tippy cup. once they got this sippy cop down the easily switched to other sippies... Both of my children used bottles until they were 18 months but the tippy transition took place during this time. Their teeth were fine, we just made sure they didn't sleep with them or wander around with bottles, tippy cups in our family the little ones were allowed to wander with if they would put them on the table or counter or in our hand when done. some care providers and doctors are pushy about tippys and others not quite as much, however since I was a SAHM I got to do things my own ways and with the exception of potty training my 4 year old (a whole other issue) My doctors have looked at my boys as they have developed and said they are doing great...

Do things how you are comfortable doing things... It is your right as mom and babies don't have to grow up to fast... You don't have to push your child to grow to fast...

Cows milk doesn't have all the same vitamins and minerals... However the calcium and vitamin d (whole milk) is the big factor... After 1 year children should get their nutrients from other foods they eat.

Cold milk is fine if your baby takes it... But it never hurts to warm it up once in awhile if you want to. Just becareful no to create a problem with it.... like if you do it to much he may decide he likes it better that way and quit drinking cold milk... My second son took 6 months to change to cold milk... it became kind of a pain.

good luck...
L.

There's no problem with giving your child cold milk. Actually, the only reason people warm up formula is because it's considered soothing. But there is no reason to warm it up unless he rejects it cold...which you said he didn't. If he makes the switch from formula to milk fine, then don't give him any more formula. He should be getting his nutriets from table food. Make sure he gets healthy snacks in between meals and he should be just fine. I would start weaning off the bottle now, because it gets harder the older he gets. Believe me. My daughter had hers until she was 18 months and it took her getting sick and not wanting milk at all to get rid of it. You can find sippy cups with softer spouts. Nuby makes a nice one. You can get it at WalMart. He might like that better. Then you can switch to the harder spouts once he is used to the cup. I started my kids on sippys when they were 8 months, so it was easy to get them to take it. I just had a harder time getting my daughter to quit the bottle. :) Good luck!

Hi there, Ihad the same dilemma with both my children at that age, my daughter is now 6 and my son 3. I decided with both of them to continue with formula, Enfamil and Similac make formulas for the older baby,it goes al the way to two years of age, it all depends if you want to spend that kind of money. As for the weaning him of the bottles, try taking away the midday bottles first, leaving the evening bottle and morning bottles until he gets use to the others being gone. Allot of kids do not like sippy cups because it is really hard to get liquid out they have to suck really hard.
Wal-Mart and Target sell the Nuby sippy cups that has soft spouts just like a bottle, and my friends 7month old drinks out of one.
Good Luck
J.

Cow's milk does not have the same vitamins and minerals as formula, but the assumption is that by 1 year old children are getting most of their nutrition through food. They really need the whole milk for the fat content (due to rapid brain growth). There is toddler formula, but our doctor said that as long as our child was eating a variety of foods the toddler formula wasn't necessary- more of a marketing gimmick. As for temperature, it is fine to give cold milk. Maybe gradually warm it less and less until he can drink it cold. Temperature is really just a preference issue. I don't have any suggestions about sippy cups other than to just keep offering it as often as possible. Certain bottles (such as Avent) will also accept a sippy spout instead of a nipple, which might help him feel more comfortable. You can also try going to a regular cup.

Good luck!

J. (mom to Zach, 2 years, and Talia, 4 months)

Hi N.,
My daughter took the cold milk right away, very easily and never had any sort of stomach ache. I wouldn't do anything that would encourage "pickiness". There will be so many times that you will be somewhere where heating the nighttime milk just won't be possible. My daughter still, at 4.5, loves her nighttime milk...cold has never been a problem. If your son likes the cold milk, I would just give it to him that way. We used the Nuby sippy cups for the transition to sippy cups...they are much more bottle-like. I think we tried every kind ever made and these were the ones that she liked the best. Eventually, it doesn't matter, but sometimes getting over that initial hump is tough.
Good luck,
N.

Hey, I know when I asked similar questions to my pediatrician, she said that it is important they get enough iron and when they drink more than 24 oz of milk in one day, (thats about three sippy cups or three eight oz. Bottles) that is too much, and they will eat less food, which results in less vitamins and minerals they need. Formula from this point on does not have the amount of fat and calories that a one year old needs. Also if your baby doesn't mind the cold milk, it is ok for him to drink it. My 13 month old doesn't mind I just notice he drinks it slower. Good luck.

Well to gradually make the switch, mix half formula with half milk every other feeding or so until you go to straight milk.You want to give your child whole milk until he is 2. once he turns 2 you can give him 2%. The more solid food he eats the less milk he will drink because he will be full from solid food.Just keep presenting him with a sippy cup maybe with water and he will eventually make the transition.Now that the weather is getting warmer it is a great time to offer a nice cold drink of milk!!

My daughter just turned 1 year as well and the switch for her was simple. There is really no need for formula now because with their diet and the milk they are getting all the nutrients they need. However, I agree with another post there are vitamins if you are worried. My daughter is off the bottle, but I think that is a personal choice. My doctor prefers them to be done with the bottle by the time they are 18-24 months and my daughter had no problem using a "nuby" and now she loves them! Have you tried them? Do not get the ones with the straws, they are really hard to get the liquid out but all the others are great. She went from loving the bottle to loving her nuby. Just an idea. Like I said you can decide that for yourself. You are doing fine and really it is not that big of a change for them. Also regarding the warming, my daughter prefers her milk warm but she also drinks it cold and is fine. Hope that helps ;)

J. S

My kids went straight from breasfeeding to cup, no sippy and no bottle. You're welcome to try just a cup in a few months when you think his motor control can handle it. I've seen kids harder to ween off the sippy than the bottle, so it didn't hurt my feelings we didn't use the sippy cup. (actually, we used it later for things like tomato soup. It was way easier than trying to get them to use spoon and bowl. :) )

I breastfed all four of my children. I weaned my children all between 11 months to a year. When I switched to cows milk, I never warmed it up. I gave it to them cold. It never seemed to bother them that it was cold or upset their tummies. As for weaning from the bottle, I can't help you with that. I do know that a mother on Mamasource recently said that her doctor got on her for still having her baby on a bottle at 15 months. Hope this helps.

Hi N.!

I believe we too often rush to put our babies on table food and on cow's milk. From all the research I have done on this topic, cow's milk is often difficult for adults to digest, much less babies. I would continue with the formula, for it is designed to be gentle on babies' tummies.

I nursed my babies past a year old, until they "chose" to no longer nurse by getting off my lap when nursing. I would then pump breast milk for them to take from a bottle. Eventually, when I did introduce cow's milk around 2 or so, they tolerated it well with no allergies, and they are now 17 and 20! I have heard that if you give cow's milk too soon, your baby can develop food allergies.

As far as temperature of bottle - my babies would take a cold bottle right from the fridge and never had a problem. Each child is different, so just watch closely and pay attention to any health changes when something new is introduced to your little one. And introduce new things one at a time, so you can monitor changes that may take place.

Best wishes to you and your family! Whatever you decide, stick with it if it works. Some may try to convince you to go against what you know is right for baby, so hold your ground - our children are so precious!

~ C.

At this age, it doesn't really matter wheather he has formula or whole cow's milk as long as he eats other foods as well for the vitamins and minerals. And I believe that the temperature is a matter of preferance.
The thing that does matter is the bottle. He is at an age where he should be starting to wean from it for a couple of reasons. First is tooth rot, or bottle mouth (teeth start decaying on the inside part of the mouth so you don't see it unless you look). Second is weight and nutrition - if he uses a bottle for comfort it still adds extra calories and fills him up instead of other foods he should be eating.
I would suggest giving him only milk or water in a bottle, and gradually replacing milk with water, one bottle at a time. At the same time, start giving him milk in a cup (skip the sippy cup if he doesn't like it. He is old enough to use a regular cup and it will be easier in the long run).
My daughter had the same bottle love, but once she was 18 months old she only had water in her bottle at bedtime and naptime, and drank from a cup the rest of the time. She never even used a sippy cup. It takes some patients and persistance, but you can do it.

You should have started weaning him off the bottle at around 10 months, the longer you give them a bottle, the harder it is to take it away. All babies love their bottles! But it has to go away sometime, the sooner, the better. As for formula, there's no need to give them formula anymore, they make 1 year the magical number just because, the formula companies are in cahoots with doc's to keep them on that long because it's all $$$$$, just like pharmaceuticals!! Way back in the day, there really wasn't any formula and most of us were given milk at earlier ages, we're all still alive miraculously!
Temp doesn't matter either, he's a year old!! Has he had any juice or other foods? They all aren't warm, right?
Take care :)

Why would you continue with formula? It is first of all so expensive and second it is man made? Cow's milk is from nature and it is extremely cheap in comparison. Warm vs. cold milk has nothing to do with upsetting the stomach, it is just a comfort thing. If a baby is used to drinking warm milk, he just might not like the cold. I have heard that if you start out giving them cold, they won't know the difference and you won't have to heat it up.

When my kids were that age and we did the switch- at first we added a little formula but after a month we just went straight to the milk. Simply because their diet was increasing and they were getting the nutrients they needed with the food they were eating.

Hope that helps!

Hi N. ~

I can't comment on the first question... my baby is just 3 months old! I can, however, comment on the last question. I am breastfeeding and supplementing with formula. From the beginning, I have not warmed the bottle AT ALL. I would take it straight out of the fridge and give it to my baby with no problem. He has never had a tummy ache! So in my opinion, you do not need to warm it (the bottle warmer I got for a baby shower gift is still in the box in the closet!).

Good luck!
P. :)

Make it easier on everyone and don't warm the milk! My daughter made the transition beautifully from formula to cow's milk. I shortly after that transitioned her to the sippy cup. If you start warming the milk now, you will never get away from it. I have seen several kids throw complete fits because their milk wasn't warm. Avoid this now while your child is young! Good luck to you!

I suggest you research a little mroe about pasteruized milk. Both cow's milk based formula and cows milk is not only harmful to your baby's health, but can be toxic. Coconut milk, goat's milk, even raw cow's milk (if you find a very good, trustworthy source) are much better alternatives. They all are high in vitamins, minerals, and calcium. Pasteruized milk has no vitamins (except refortified by man-made synthetics) and if you ask employees of dairy plants the calcium deposits are stuck all over the heating bins - not so much left in the milk. There is no lactase or other enzyms present in store bought cows milk that would give the body a chance to digest it. You can read more at realmilk.com or google studies of Weston A. Price. I would have given the world for this knowledge and info when my kids were 1 yr old! Cold milk will not upset your child's tummy though if temperature is your main concern. Congrats on your little one on the way! Enjoy your little ones! They are so precious!

Hi N.,
My daughter is almost 18 months and right at about 13 months, we switched her to a supplemented milk called Nido. This is designed for childeren between the ages of 1 to 3 years of age. She also drinks regular cow's milk warm or cold, but prefers the Nido.

K.

Feel lucky he seems fine with the switch, all of mine did but some kids really struggle with it, formula isn't really needed at this point he should be getting other outside nutrients if you are really worried about vitamins there are some for babies that you could just pop in a bottle of milk once a day they are OTC and you can pick them up anywhere! As far as weaning I really don't wean my kids off there bottles I am really bad when it comes to that and so long as they aren't walking around the house with one my Dr and Dentist are ok with it,as long as I brush their teeth and rub a little flouride rinse on their teeth. So I can't be any real help there except to say most of mine have stopped pretty much on their own around 2 and the oldest was 3 as an average.

No the temp on the bottle doesn't matter, my oldest was the only one who got a warmed up bottle after 2 months old, with my second the Dr said it really wasn't neccasary to warm up the bottles so I have never done it with any of the ones that came after (I have 7 total) and none have had any tummy issues. Hope I helped a little!

I was given a can of Enfamil Next Step, designed for babies 9-18 months. My son isnt old enough yet, but maybe you can try something like that.