Introducing Dairy to My Infant

Updated on July 01, 2011
K.L. asks from Atlanta, GA
8 answers

I am currently still nursing my 9 month old. When he was 2 months old I had to STOP all dairy from MY diet b/c it was making him fussy. I was able to slowly reintroduce it back into my diet around 6 months and he's been completely fine ever since. I am considering trying a little formula to supplement once in a while. Not sure if I should use a soy formula or a regular one is fine. My peditrician told me the later I hold off giving him any dairy, the less likely he'll have a problem down the road. I have heard SO many conflicting things. I love my dr but sometimes she is a little old school. My older 2 have no dairy issues. What do you think???

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C.G.

answers from Seattle on

I'm not going to introduce dairy to mine at all, I have done tons of research and it is not good for kids, let alone young kids. It isn't even good for adults, there are plenty of other milks out there if milk is what you are after, there are a ton of options aside from soy too. My baby has had problems with soy from birth, but loves hemp milk, rice milk, hazelnut milk, etc.
Look up the effects of dairy and cows milk protein on the human body. The closest thing to human milk for the human body, that I have found, is goats milk, if supplementing is needed.

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V.C.

answers from Dallas on

I would avoid dairy. The latest research shows the casein protein is linked to cancer and osteoporosis. And introducing it before one year of age can lead to diabetes. Check out The China Syndrome, Forks over Knives and Save Our Bones.

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J.K.

answers from Atlanta on

If you're talking about formula, use the soy until at least eating foods, and then slowly transition to another -- it's only a few dollars difference, but like other allergies, waiting until after one year means less potential for trouble. But if I were you, and infant was having fussies from YOU having dairy, I wouldn't risk it direct-to-him now.

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H.F.

answers from Pocatello on

Why do you need to introduce formula at all? If you are having supply issues there are ways to help address that. I just don't see a good reason to introduce formula if you are breastfeeding. Just wait 3 more months and you can try giving him some whole milk instead of formula, which is WAY cheaper. Three months is really not a very long time to hold off.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I think that trying formula is okay. If you have any friends that are using formula maybe you can have a bit of theirs and see if it works for your baby. That way you won't end up with a dozen cans of formula with only a few spoonfuls of the product used.

Good luck.

When it comes time to transition to whole milk take your time. The baby needs you to go slowly. Mix 2 oz. whole vit d milk to 6 oz. formula for a week or two. Enough time to see if there will be any problems then go up to half and half. This is a big step. If there are any problems it's usually this week. The next switch is to 6 oz, whole vit. d milk to 2 oz. formula. This can go quickly. If there are no issues then you can usually go full milk with in a week.

J.B.

answers from Houston on

I have used formula with both of mine to supplement when I was out etc. My oldest has no issues my youngest doesn't do well with milk, go figure, I did them both the same way. By the second time around I was so over pumping, so I did introduce formula when we were out around 7 months or so and he loved it, but he does have the dairy issue, so who knows? With my oldest I never used any formula until he was like 9 months old and also only if we were going to be out somewhere. I guess I think some people have dairy issues, some don't, I will probably use some formula with the next one as well. It is very liberating to be able to go somewhere occasionally without needing to pump or find a spot to feed. Good luck!

L.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I am SO not into milk! When we stopped drinking it, my son's ear infections cleared up completely. Before this, the doctor wanted to put tubes in his ears, it was that bad!

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

My granddaughter was allergic to milk protein as well as some other foods. She didn't outgrow the milk allergy until 5 or so. Because she had several allergies which resulted in asthma and eczema we saw the allergist often. It's important to not give foods which are common allergens until later when the digestive system is more mature. I would follow your doctor's recommendation.

Alimentum (sp?) is a dairy free formula. I suggest using that. I suggest that you not use soy. Soy is a common allergen. There is also some controversy over it's use because of hormone like action.

Do you know if your baby is allergic to milk protein or was he just lactose intolerant and is not tolerant? There is a test that can tell about allergy. You could try a milk based formula and see if it agrees with him.

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