BLW and follow on milk?

[Toms Mummy]

I am ebf my dd and plan on bf until atleast 2 years old. Not sure when we will introduce solids but we will be BLW.

I was wondering whether people in a similar situation ever introduced follow on formula at their child's weaning age as part of the transition on to other foods besides breastmilk. Like to substitute a breastfeed?....

 

[sue_88]

No, I have no plans to ever give my baby formula.

Just breastmilk until self weaning (although probably not longer than 2 yrs if she's looking to have no interest in weaning). Her diet will be varied & balanced enough by the time weaning occurs that follow on milk will be unecessary and cows milk will be a good introduction.

 

[Toms Mummy]

Is cow's milk better than follow on milk?.... You sound dead set against it. I thought it had lots of vitamins and stuff in?

 

[sue_88]

I wouldn't say one is better than the other, however I'm a Food Scientist and Nutritionist and know how to create a balanced diet so vitamins and minerals are accounted for via food mediums, I therefore think follow on milk is a marketing ploy for my situation. Plus breastmilk is my preferred milk over 1yr....up to 2yrs with cows milk too

For someone not so confident or knowledgable about food (or for a picky eater who may not take as many different foods just at that age) it could be a good thing to help their diet.

 

[Toms Mummy]

Thank you x

 

[petite ping]

It's not usually recommended to give cow's milk before a year because it lacks the nutrients of breast milk or formula.

I usually give water at lunch and replace the milk intake with a yoghurt.

 

[Toms Mummy]

Thank you

 

[MindUtopia]

Just keep BF and if you need to use milk in foods, I'd just use cow's milk. Formula is nasty, awful tasting stuff. We FF and if I didn't have to use it, I wouldn't (can't wait to ditch the horrible stuff in 2 more weeks and use only cow's milk). Follow on milk is just a marketing gimmick. Formula manufacturers aren't allowed to advertise first milks in the UK, so they made another product they were legally allowed to market, so that they can market their other products in a backhanded way. Your baby doesn't need it and it's far inferior to BM. If you're BF, you can start your baby on vitamin supplements after 6 months and keep up on your vitamins yourself, plus eat a varied diet. That's all you need to do.

 

[Toms Mummy]

Thanks utopia. I didn't know that about formula but totally makes sense!

 

[HKateH]

We will be giving first milk and gradually replacing with cows milk. I think follow on milk is a marketing ploy.

Formula isn't 'nasty, horrible stuff' - it's nutritionally balanced and designed to fulfill babies' dietary needs in place of, or as well as breast milk. I find comments like that (from fellow ff mums or otherwise) upsetting. I'm not trying to start a debate or argument, I just don't think passing such strong opinions is necessary in a general weaning forum.

 

[Noo]

We will be giving first milk and gradually replacing with cows milk. I think follow on milk is a marketing ploy.

Formula isn't 'nasty, horrible stuff' - it's nutritionally balanced and designed to fulfill babies' dietary needs in place of, or as well as breast milk. I find comments like that (from fellow ff mums or otherwise) upsetting. I'm not trying to start a debate or argument, I just don't think passing such strong opinions is necessary in a general weaning forum.

I think she was referring to the taste... Have you ever tasted it? *shudder* Can't say I like the taste of cows milk either but formula in comparison does taste pretty nasty

 

[HKateH]

We will be giving first milk and gradually replacing with cows milk. I think follow on milk is a marketing ploy.

Formula isn't 'nasty, horrible stuff' - it's nutritionally balanced and designed to fulfill babies' dietary needs in place of, or as well as breast milk. I find comments like that (from fellow ff mums or otherwise) upsetting. I'm not trying to start a debate or argument, I just don't think passing such strong opinions is necessary in a general weaning forum.

I think she was referring to the taste... Have you ever tasted it? *shudder* Can't say I like the taste of cows milk either but formula in comparison does taste pretty nasty

I hate cows milk too (except when I was pregnant weirdly) so formula makes me shudder. I have considered adding it to my tea though late at night when we're out of milk lol!