Milk - Bethel Springs, TN

Updated on October 26, 2008
A.T. asks from Bethel Springs, TN
33 answers

My 11 month old girl is already disinterested in her formula and has been for about a month now. We gave her a little milk last night just to see if she liked it. She loves it! I know the doctors and books say not to give milk before a baby's first birthday. Is 11 months too early to stop formula and start giving milk?

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B.C.

answers from Fayetteville on

I know what the docs say, but when my son was 10 months we started mixing a little milk with formula and by 11 mo was mixing in 50/50. He never had any problems and he is 3 now.

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L.N.

answers from Johnson City on

Hi,
MY SON STOPPED DRINKING FORMULA AT ABOUT 9 1/2 MONTHS AND I PUT HIM ON MILK AND HE LOVED IT. HIS DOCTOR RECOMMENDED THAT I START HIM OUT ON 2% AND THEN CHANGE TO WHOLE IF NEED BE. HE DID AWESOME ON THE MILK AND IS NOW 17 YEARS OLD AND DOING FINE.

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C.C.

answers from Nashville on

Not too early - besides what difference is 4 weeks going to make? In my house, it's whatever works and is safe. I think you'll be fine.

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A.D.

answers from Austin on

My doctor at the 9 month check up gave us the OK after they ran a hemoglobin blood test. It was ok so we started then. Just make sure to slowly introduce it still mixing some formula for several weeks. You will find that whole milk can be constipating. But definitely nice to get off the formula!

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K.H.

answers from Huntington on

I don't see 30 days making that big of a difference, especially if she is getting nutrients from table food. My only concern would be to make sure she eats a balanced diet. This is more important now that she will not be getting everything from formula.

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M.C.

answers from Nashville on

Nah! 30 days isn't going to make a difference at all. Go for it and enjoy buying gallons of milk instead of expensive cans of formula!!! It really is a reason to celebrate! =0)

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P.R.

answers from Jacksonville on

Go ahead give her the milk. Both of my children started at 11 months. My doctor even told with my oldest to do it. Because he ate table food to go ahead and put him on milk.

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J.M.

answers from Memphis on

The big thing about milk is that most babies aren't ready for milk until around 12 mths because their digestive system can't handle it. As with everything wlse, there's a wide range from individual children. Some babies can't properly process it until even later. Some babies are ready earlier. As long as she doesn't seem to have stomach ache, gas, or irregular bowel movements, you should be fine. Make sure its whole milk though, not 2% or lighter. Babies need the extra fat in whole milke until they're about 2 yrs for proper brain development.

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L.L.

answers from Nashville on

Should be fine but you should have her drinking whole milk because she still needs the fat content. My kids drank formula until 10-11 months and then drank whole milk until they were about two and a half and then I switched them to 2%.

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M.M.

answers from Memphis on

I nursed my daughter for 9 months before she essentially weaned herself. after that she didn't tolorate or take to the formula well so like you I gave her a bit of Milk and she took right too it. I raised my other kids on nothing but milk and they were fine.

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K.S.

answers from Hickory on

Ask your pediatrician, and go with whatever he/she says.

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E.T.

answers from Memphis on

It's fine to go ahead and switch her. Just make sure she is eating a variety of healthy foods too. My son had food allergies and his allergist (who used to be a pediatrician) switched him to whole milk at 10 months.

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K.J.

answers from Fayetteville on

I don't think you would have a problem with giving her milk if she won't drink her formula. My 5 yr old was the same way and he is fine today. The little bit of time between now and her 1st bday isn't going to hurt her. Good luck.

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K.T.

answers from Chattanooga on

Yeah, you're so close. I'd give it to her. In fact, I think my ped had us phase it in between 10-12 months.

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M.B.

answers from Charlotte on

i think it is fine to go ahead :-)

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S.U.

answers from Raleigh on

I would ask your ped of course, but if you do transition to milk, make sure it's whole milk. They need the fat for brain development.

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L.W.

answers from Greensboro on

Nah! If she likes the milk, let her have it! It took some serious work to get my children interested in milk vs. formula. Count your blessings! She's just made the transition easier for you! One month early won't hurt your baby, in my opinion.

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A.C.

answers from Charlotte on

I would give it to her. If she likes it and she doesn't seem to be having any allergies to it, give it to her. I think it's great that she likes it. I would encourage it.

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R.S.

answers from Fayetteville on

I started feeding my son whole milk at the 11 month mark. I did some research online and found that at the 11 month mark you should mix 3/4 formula with 1/4 whole milk at each feeding. At the 11 1/2 month, mix 1/2 formula with 1/2 whole milk. At the 11 3/4 month, mix 1/4 formula with 3/4 whole milk. I did this and at 12 month switched totally to whole milk and soy milk. My son did not have any problems and is now 15 months old. My doctor said if he was allergic, I would know immediately. I think the issue is, formula has a lot of vitamins and minerals that your baby needs during development and whole milk does not provide the same. Hope this helps.

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B.L.

answers from Jacksonville on

Those are general guidelines. If she liked it and didn't have a reaction (like throwing it up, or diarrhea, or breaking out in hives, etc.), then it's obviously fine. Most formula is milk based anyway, so it's really not all that different than what she's been getting. One thing to learn about parenting is to go with your gut and what works for you, and what makes sense.

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J.D.

answers from Louisville on

we put my grandson on reg milk at 11 months, he has done fine you might try alternating them and then go full reg milk in a week or so

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J.L.

answers from Lexington on

I think whole milk before first bithday is fine. My daughter is 11 months old and has been grabbing her 4 year old brothers nuby cup since she was around 9 months. It didn't hurt her, so I started to give her a sippy cup at snack times with whole milk, but still give her formula or my left over frozen supply of breastmilk for her bottles. I am going to start mixing whole milk and formula to get her on whole milk exclusivly. It worked for my son so...

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A.U.

answers from Asheville on

I agree with others - it's a guideline due to babies' digestive tract development and every child is different. My son liked formula so we kept him on it until he was right about one, but we started him on plain yogurt earlier (at about 10 months) because he loved it and it didn't bother his digestion. Our pediatrician said the rule with milk and milk products is age one but since our son handled it fine to go for it.

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C.R.

answers from Nashville on

Hey A.,

My children are now 13 years old. I had twins. When they reached the age of 6 months old they were going through about 75-80 cans of formula each month. On my next dr visit I brought this up to the dr (a dr assistant actually) and told him that I was going to change them to whole milk.

He did not have a problem with it. He did suggest that I add vitamin drops to ensure that they received everything they needed and I also had to add gas drops for their stomach...needless to say the outcome was fine as they have survived for 13 years.

Don't be afraid to discuss this with your doc and let them understand her disinterest in her formula. If they don't agree with your judgement...that's all it is...a disagreement and you are the parent and ultimately the decision is yours. Back in the stone age, they didn't have formula...they breast fed and they used milk from animals. Your daughter knows what she wants and milk is good for her. Trust your instincts.

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D.P.

answers from Raleigh on

I started giving my son milk at 10 mos. He just flat out refused formula at that point. We told the ped at his 1 yr appt that he had been on whole milk for a couple of months, ans she was ok with that. I think that 11 mos is close enough. And congrats on putting some of that formula $$ back in your pocket!

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W.M.

answers from Nashville on

I nursed and started both my children on milk at age 11 mos. I also continued to nurse until a year but did start milk at that age. If you are able, you could mix 1/2 formula and 1/2 milk but I think all milk is ok. It is basically just to see if their bellies can handle it.

W.

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J.M.

answers from Lexington on

You will be fine giving her milk. Just make sure for a little while it is whole milk. Then switch to 2% later on.
Just make sure she is getting health snacks and meals throughout the day.

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M.H.

answers from Huntington on

My daughter was similar. She became disinterested in formula and bottles! I did some reading, and the American pediatricians recommend 12 months, but in Canada the pediatricians recommend 9-12 months to start cow's milk. So, my personal opinion is that if your daughter is already 11 months old, go ahead! She's nearly 12 months old. You may want to check with your pediatrician just to be 100% sure, but I say go for it!

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S.P.

answers from Raleigh on

I don't think that it is that big a deal. Both of my children were doing things they weren't supposed to be doing. Mary was on cereal at 2 weeks. If you are really concerned, you can substitute the water in the formula with milk. That is what I did to transistion my children from formula to milk. I did however find out that it needs to be whole milk and not 2%. i now have 2 kinds of milk in my refridgerator. Take care and I hope this helps.

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M.M.

answers from Jacksonville on

Consensus is..... put her on the milk!!! She will be fine.

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H.F.

answers from Nashville on

I did too... we were actually going out of town the weekend before my daughter turned 1 and I didn't want to have to cart formula a bottles with me so I got her off both 3 weeks before she turned 1! She did fine (will be 2 in 6 weeks) and once a week or so, I gave her Pediasure as a "treat" for a few months. Mostly just to reassure myself. You could try adding the powder formula to the milk (instead of water). She may not go for it but you can give it a try if you still have formula left over. Don't stress too much over this detail... by the way you asked the question, I can tell you're a caring mom trying to do the best for your kids!! Keep it up =)

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L.T.

answers from Charlotte on

It's great that your daughter loves milk, but I think 11 months old might be too early to give up the formula and only give milk. I had the same problem with my daughter, she pretty much gave up the bottle around that time so I started giving her formula in a sippy. Luckily for me she still took a bottle at night and was doing pretty well with solids and table foods. I would check with your doc if you think she might not drink formula at all any more, but it's probably best to keep giving her formula because that's where her nutrients are coming from and you could potentially run the risk of having a milk allergy. I know it's tough when they want to give up the bottle! Good luck and keep working on her with a sippy and table food.

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E.M.

answers from Louisville on

no its just a rule of thumb... if she likes it at all motnhs i would say you are safe

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