[Kellileanne]

Ok, I LOVE milk. I drink it all the time (I was going through a gallon a day while pregnant) and Caitlin has noticed it and always wants some (she will drink out of a cup or water bottle if I hold it). Well, I gave in and gave her a sip last week. Now every time she sees me with a cup with white stuff in it she freaks and wants some! I know she isn't supose to be on milk yet but she loves it! I use skim milk so I don't know that she would even like whole milk or 2%. So, what do I do? Is it really going to hurt her if she gets a few sips from me here and there?

[wannabigbabybelly]

In the old days she'd probably already be on normal milk by now. So I'm sure she'd be fine.

But now a days they say wait till they are a year old.

That is a question you'd probably want to bring up with her dr. he will know better if she has allergies,exzema, or anything that coud be irritated by drinking even little bits of it.

You might try just giving her cold formula in a sippy cup. (maybe trick her into it by putting it in a normal cup and pretending like your drinking it...then give her a taste and offer her her own cup.)

[mondk]

As soon as Joshie turned 9 mos. old I put him on transitioning formula (Enfamil), by 11 mos. we went ahead and started whole milk. He loves it! I gave him a treat of 6 oz. of chocolate milk today (1/2 Carnation Instant Breakfast) and I swear he inhaled it. Of course, that was just a treat to see if he'd like it; I won't be doing that all the time, LOL.

Blessings, Michelle

P.S. To answer your question Kelli...no, it won't hurt her but when she does switch from formula to milk, make sure it is whole milk, not skim!

[Kellileanne]

I have heard contradictions on what kind of milk to use. Some say whole milk, some say 2%, and some say skim is ok since she isn't getting much. There are a lot who are against whole milk because of the high fat content but with caitlin being so little I don't think it will really make that much of a difference!

[mondk]

Toddlers need the high fat content for brain development...and once you switch to whole milk, it is good to start giving them vitamins too so they don't deplete their iron stores (per AMKD). So he gets his whole milk and then I put a dropperful of Poly-Vi-Sol in his cereal or fruit.

Blessings, Michelle

[futuremom2b]

Kelly ~ I found some info that might be helpfu for you to make a better decision about the milk issue:

Cow's milk is a great drink for cows and older humans, but it does not have the right mix of nutrients for human babies. It contains much more salt, and protein than breast milk or commercial formula, and these excesses put a strain on young kidneys. It is also lacking in iron. The composition of cow's milk varies from that of breast milk (and formula) in a variety of other ways too. In addition, i causes mild intestinal bleeding in a small percentage of infats. Through the blood lost in the stool is generally NOT visible to the naked eye. The bleeding is significant because it can lead to anemia.

I would get the OK from the doctor before you start, but that's just my opinon . Good luck in Texas, dress cool, it's soooooo hot and humid out there, you won't even really want to be outside, you feel so sticky!

I would call the hotel and see what they have so you don't have to OVER PACK! Have fun, I hope you get to see hubby!
Dre

[Kellileanne]

Thanks Dre. I tried to put a little (about 1oz) in her sippy for her to drink while eating puffs but she wasn't having it! She likes drinks out of my cup, not her own! (we aren't doing well with the sippy cup anyway) I am not transitioning her yet anyway, just a little here and there when she notices I have it. I am going to try just putting water in her sippy again and see if she may get more use to the sippy, we have tried 3 different sippys so far.

[AMKD]

Originally Posted by mondk

and once you switch to whole milk, it is good to start giving them vitamins too so they don't deplete their iron stores (per AMKD).

I do not advise anyone to give their baby vitamins with/without iron without speaking to your pediatrician first. It's true that too much milk can deplete your iron stores, but if your child is not anemic, then it shouldn't be an issue once they reach one year old. My son was anemic at both his 9 month and one year check up, which is part of the reason we held off on switching to milk at those times.

[Kellileanne]

Caitlin has a ped appt on the 14th so I can ask then, I am making a list of questions!

[futuremom2b]

Originally Posted by AMKD

I do not advise anyone to give their baby vitamins with/without iron without speaking to your pediatrician first. It's true that too much milk can deplete your iron stores, but if your child is not anemic, then it shouldn't be an issue once they reach one year old. My son was anemic at both his 9 month and one year check up, which is part of the reason we held off on switching to milk at those times.

Also, talk with your dentist about the vitamins as well, you'll hear a different response from your doctor (maybe), vitamins can case stains on childrens ADULT teeth. You won't know until your child is an adult if this happens. My mom gave me vitamins when I was little, and I know first hand.