Need Suggestions on Switching from Formula to Milk

Updated on August 09, 2008
J.P. asks from Hollywood, FL
9 answers

My twin boys just turned one. I wanted to start them on organic milk in sippy cups. (They drink juice with water in sippy cups with no problem). I tried mixing formula and the milk together but they didn't like it. Then I tried just the formula in the sippy cup to get them used to it but still a no go. How do I get them off the bottle?? And any suggestions on what kind of whole milk? I don't know the difference between the organic milks. Or should I just do regular? Oh such choices! Thanks. :0)

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L.H.

answers from Miami on

from age one to 2 I use the Nuby brand soft spout sippy. it's pretty much a bottle...but it was not hard to slowly get my son off of the Nuby to a regular sippy...
I use Publix Greenwise (organic) milk- whole milk.
if they aren't taking to milk right away, just keep offering it & make sure they're getting their calcium from other sources as well- cheese, yogurt, etc. My oldest son did not drink any significant amount of milk until about 18 months. The ped said he was fine as long as he got calcium in his diet- he got lots of broccoli (calcium in that), I added ricotta cheese (the most calcium- check the % calcium on packages- things like cream cheese barely have any)to butter and milk to make macaroni & cheese- add some broccoli & you've got some good calcium (& good fats!)going on, lol!
cheese ravioli (again I bought the brand w/ the most % of calcim on the lable), etc...

they'll learn to drink their milk- just keep offering...

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M.E.

answers from Boca Raton on

With both of my sons, I simply took the bottle away. They'll only refuse it in the cup if they still have the option for a bottle...and a couple days of no milk isn't going to hurt them, anyway.

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R.G.

answers from San Juan on

Hi! I have a baby girl that turned one three weeks ago. I started giving her the Almod Breeze almond milk. It's the same consistency as breast milk and she didn't even notice. She drinks it just the same. She drinks everything in sippy cups but the milk she still takes in a bootle. I want her to recognize the milk and then make the change to the sippy cup. Hope I could help. Good Luck! I'm a 26 year old mom from Puerto Rico.

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M.L.

answers from Miami on

When our kids switched from breastmilk to whole milk, we started with organic goat's milk. It was easy to digest and helped the transition. From there, we switched to Organic Grassfed whole milk. We bought it from Whole Foods so I don't know if Publix Greenwise has it. The Grassfed whole milk was so sweet. My daughter especially loved it. Eventually we switched to whole milk. We have only done organic with everything. The taste is so noticeable to me and so much healthier.

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C.B.

answers from New York on

J., I use ONLY organic milk and I applaud you for introducing the sippy cup to get your boys off the bottle. Honestly, I introduced the sippy cup to my children (who were breastfed) at 6 months (putting water in the cups) just to get them used to the sippy cup. They didn't have any difficulties so you are on the right track. Since your boys are 12 months, it is true that they do not need to be on formula. With my third child, who had breastfeeding issues from day one, I had no choice but to supplement with formula until his first birthday. My pediatrician said that I could put my baby on whole milk from 12 months until his 2nd birthday. Initially, I mixed formula and whole milk (half and half) just until I got rid of the open can of formula. Once it was all used up, I gave my baby organic whole milk from then on. I drink 1 % but my ped said that babies need whole milk until they are 2 because of the higher fat which is necessary for continued brain development. My son is 2 but I still offer him whole (organic) milk because he has always had difficulty gaining weight, even on formula.

With all that said, keep introducing the sippy cup and simply stop using the bottle. Keep the bottle out of sight so they don't think it's still an option. One thing I had done with my son, who had to drink from a bottle, I used the Avent bottles and when he was about 6 months, I introduced the sippy spout that is the next step with the bottles. Once he got the hang of it, I stopped using the nipples altogether.

As for which milk to use, I know it's a personal choice, but Organic, in my opinion is better because the milk is healthier. Why give your baby stuff that has growth hormones, and goodness knows what else. I use the Organic Vally from Publix but any Organic milk will do. Check the prices in your store...some Organics are more pricier than others. If your boys are thirsty, they will drink from whatever you give them. Don't give up...and don't get discouraged. Also, I would suggest not giving them juice or water for awhile. Just offer milk in the sippy cup. Keep trying and since you know they will drink from the sippy cup for juice or water, they will drink the milk... they are just being stubborn. Good luck!

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J.N.

answers from Boca Raton on

When my kids turned one, I simply replaced the bottle with a sippy cup of whole milk. My son took to it with no problem. It took a little getting used to with my daughter though. My advice is just to keep offering it to them and eventually they will get used to the taste & the fact that it's in a sippy cup as oppossed to the bottle. Both of my children were on Enfamil Soy before switching to milk and they had no problems switching to whole milk. I'm not sure about "differences in organic milks". I use Publix Brand Whole Milk. Good luck! :-)

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C.S.

answers from Boca Raton on

Hi,
Actually your boys don't need milk. Since milk is pasteurized it is pretty much depleted of nutrients anyway. They get calcium from foods...yogurt, cheese, veggies.

You can give them a bottle with some water, and while they may cry for a few nights, they will get used to it. Eventually they can have water in a cup before bed and no bottle. Do some research on milk and if you still feel it is necessary then going organic will assure you that it will be free of growth hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides. However, not all organic is created equally as junk food companies like Pepsi, Kraft, Kellogs etc. make organic products and put different names on them.

I make sure that all my animal protein products such as milk, butter, cheese, and beef are from grass fed, organic herds. If you want more info on the benefits of grass fed I'll send it. Whole foods sells Natural by Nature grass fed milk as well as cheese and they sell Organic Valley pasture butter. Buying healthy food is a bit more money, but I save by not buying juices which are loaded with sugar and anything processed. I do give my children pure coconut water from the young green coconuts. It is antibacterial and antifungal and a great alternative to juice. If you don't have coconut palms in your yard you can buy O.N.E. brand pure coconut water from Whole Foods.

Here is a link to the problems with milk today. As you read and scroll down you will find more links. If you want any more info send me your email and I'll send you some links.
Good luck,
C.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/0...

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J.H.

answers from San Juan on

Hey I have twins also but they are 4 now so much easier. Well
I have a 15 month old boy right now and I tried using
rice milk (vanilla flavor). Rice milk is great instead of using regular milk very healthy and same amount of calcium
and other vitamins if your worried about that. I also used
Pedia sure and they both worked. He loves them both. I hope
this helps.

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D.J.

answers from Miami on

i use mc arthur whole milk with my son.
when he was 11 months old,i just threw away all the bottles and gave him his milk in a sippy cup just like his juices and water.
once you know he Can drink anything out of a sippy cup just get rid of the bottles.
that worked for me.
D.

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