Transitioning to Whole Milk - Tampa,FL

I would recommend researching "extended" breastfeeding. Which is only considered extended in the US. The worldwide average age for weaning is 2 1/2 to 3 years old. There are SOOO many benefits that human milk has over cows milk. Cows milk is designed by nature to be for baby cows, women make milk for human babies. There are many cons to cows milk and many many pros to human milk for infants. The best of which is that breastfed babies are less likely to become overweight or obese in adulthood, there are constantly adjusting nutrients that conform to your babies individual needs as he grows. Moms that breastfed past a year will tell you, it's more than the milk, it can instantly calm a tantrumming toddler, ease fears, make unfamiliar places seem more comfortable. All of the problems you face when out in public can be fixed with just a minute or two of breastfeeding. If you aren't comfprtable nursing in public, you can grab a fitting room, or a lounge in the restroom, or a booth as a sit down restaurant, this little 5 minute time out is good for both mom and child when the baby is having a hard time.Cows milk is loaded with anitibiotics, can cause excess mucous,and what I have seen the most, becomes a comfort and controlling device for toddlers to refuse healthy food with all the nutrients they need for proper growth because they are getting so many calories from the milk. I would offer him water only in a cup and nurse him as needed, which will diminish to about 3 feedings a day soon, and offer him fresh, whole healthy foods. You are training him now to develop into a healthy eater, one who seeks food as fuel for his body, not entertainment for his mouth. Do you research from both side, there are a LOT of articles out there supporting the great breastmilk your body is making for free. I have four children and as they all are growing, getting their drivers licenses, going to Jr High dances for the first time and heading of to preeschool, I wish I woudl have had the advice to take those precious first years and slow down and enjoy the time I had with them. What better way to pause in your day and enjoy your little child, than to sit in the rocker and nurse.

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How about no milk? His body is telling him no...and while I personally love milk, some say cows milk is for baby cows not baby humans which makes alot of sense.I'm sure if you put sugar and chocolate in it (like my grandmother who's children all grew up to have type 2 diabetes)he would love it..not a good option in my opinion nor is almond milk/ rice etc too much sugar, not to mention that's not a baby food that makes any sense to me. My advice, breastfeed until he no longer requires milk.
peace,
L.

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Have you considered trying soy or rice milk instead of cow's milk? I also exclusively breastfed my son and he transitioned to soy milk fairly smoothly. Your son doesn't need to drink cow's milk at all! He can get the same nutrition from other sources. There is also the possibility that he could be lactose intolerant (which is painful and stressful to deal with). If you want to talk about dairy alternatives, feel free to email me. Good luck!

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By exclusively breastfed, do you mean he has only had breastmilk and nothing else (no baby food, cereal, etc.)? If so, it will be a difficult transition. Also, if he has never had a sippy cup it can be difficult.

I breastfed (by nursing and pumped milk in a bottle) my daughter until she was 13 months. However, we introduced the rice cereal and baby food around 6 months. We also introduced a sippy cup with water and juice around 8-9 months I think. At first she hated the sippy cup. We also had to try a few different types of sippy cups before we found one she liked. She was never a fan of juice, but loved water. At 1 year, we introduced cow's milk. She didn't take to it at first. She would take a few sips and that was it. Our pediatrician said not to worry. As long as she was getting calcium from other sources (she loves cheese), there was nothing to worry about. It didn't take long until she warmed up to the idea of drinking cow's milk. Now at 16 months, she will down a sippy cup of milk in no time. It's important to remember that cow's milk is not a substitute for breastmilk or formula. Food is what replaces breastmilk or formula. Cow's milk should be introduced just like any other food. Our pediatrician did say that we could try a little strawberry or chocolate syrup in the milk, but we decided not to go that route. I guess my main advice is just be patient - offer a little at a time, try different sippy cups.

Oh, is it possible that he doesn't like the temperature of the milk? Going from room temperature breastmilk to cold cow's milk can be a change. We sometimes give our daughter the UHT milk that comes in a box (it is sold near the powdered milk). We buy the small boxes and they don't have to be refrigerated (until opened), so it is served at room temperature.

try adding some Silk for kids vanilla soy milk, my son loved it & it was an easy transition for him from breast milk...good luck!

Dear L.,
Hello, my son was breastfed for 21 months! I had to add some fruit, like Gerbers stage 3 into a sippy cup with the milk to get him to start drinking it! Then as he got older, he was able to drink it straight! My son loved Peachs and apples, so you may want to give that a try also. Or just let him help make some choc. milk with you-if he agrees to drink it! Good Luck & God bless you!
Truly,
Kathy N

What worked for us was to use organic whole milk (much tastier) and I warmed it. That made a huge difference for us. Also, it does take time. Just keep offering small amounts along with the breastfeeding.

Be careful about using alternative milks such as rice or almond with the little ones. Do your research as they may not contain the fats and nutrients that cow's milk provides. You can find fortified alternative milks but do your research and make an informed decision. Same with soy milks. There is a bit of controversy related to the use of soy milk/products as well.

When I transitioned mine (3), we either gave them a feeding of Pedialyte--sort of like a palate cleanser-- then the next feeding with whole milk. Or start the first feeding in the morning with whole milk, when there is maybe less memory or more hunger ;-) One word of advise, this is not the time to take away the bottle.There's the chance that he stop drinking milk altogether. Good luck
I just read the other responses and, what a bashing cow's milk got. I can't believe it! Two hundred plus years drinking it and now it's SOooo bad? Guess times change...

put baby cereal in it and switch to a sippie cup, if you haven't already.

Maybe you could try almond milk instead, and have Dad present it to him when you aren't there, so he's not like "no way, I want Mama's milk..." They sell it at Publix near the soy milks. don't do soy--it contains estrogen. Almond is high in calcium!

Humans don't "need" to drink milk from another animal. Once he is weaned from you, he can drink water. I assume he is eating solid foods, which is where he is getting his nutrician, unlike when he needed breast milk as his "food" as an infant. Just make sure he has other things in his diet to get the calcium and healthy fats he would have gotten from milk. None of my 3 kids were ever big milk drinkers.

You should try almond milk,rice milk or gout milk . You don't have to give her cow milk.

I had the same issue with both my girls who were breastfed exclusively, too. They never even took bottles! I don't really have an answer for you - sorry - because mine are now 3 and 4 and still won't drink just milk (chocolate milk, no problem!). What I had to do is just focus on making sure they ate foods with plenty of calcium - cheese, yogurt, broccoli, etc. Perhaps I'll have to start giving them a supplement at some point, but I think they're doing ok. Also, I recently bought them these cereal bowls that have an attached straw and they will drink their cereal's milk with it - go figure! Best of luck.
T.
http://hubpages.com/hub/dr-sears-healthy-eating

When my son was 1 I tried giving him milk and he refused it. He was formula fed so I figured that he would lovemilk but it was not the case. I tried to give him milk here and there and then one day (he was about 15 months old at the time) he just took to it. There's no need to rush it--especially since you're breastfeeding. He'll let you know when he's ready for milk!

Cow's milk is the worst thing you can give any child! It causes tons of allegies. He hates it because he is trying to tell you something. Listen to him. After he is weaned you can try almond milk or goat's milk. He might accept them later on, he may not. There are so many sources of calcium that he can eat, he doesn't need milk. Stay away from any soy. That is pure poison especially for a male. My 2nd child refused milk too and she ended up being very allergic to both. This manifest with ear infections. She is 15 now and she never had milk but when allergy tested she was positive for both. Now that I know so much about this I try to pass it on. Also read more about soy and processed foods, genetically modified foods, in a book called The UNhealthy Truth, written by a mom who had an allergic kid. You will understand how bad soy and milk really are for humans.

Whole cow's milk is a molecule 20x's the size of human milk, and in the states it has been homogenized and pasterized and is next to immpossible to digest. You son's body is telling him, you-ugh this is not ok.
Barley milk is a possibility- cooking barley perals in a slow cooker is how we did it.Also check WestonPrice .com for suggestions.
Also stay away fr soy products.
Lots of cultures don't use dairy(cow) so don't be tricked into thinking it is necessary- that is the work of the dairy council- and wow have they done a job of advertising!!!
best, k

first of all I would like to congratulate you for breastfeeding for a year...that's wonderful and an amazing gift to your son. If he doesn't like milk, there are many other great sources of calcuim. Humans don't need milk to grow and survive. Don't push it, and try other sources of calcium such as yogurt, cottage cheese, veggies such as broccoli and other foods that provide all the nutrients milk does. It's really for baby cows and some people don't even tolerate milk well. Enjoy your little ones and have a happy holiday season..

K.
Lactation Consultant/Baby & Me Teacher/Fitness Instructor
Move & Groove Baby
Ft. Lauderdale