Cow's milk from 6m onwards???

[Rato]

Hi ladies (and dads),

I have a problem with my daughter, Emily, who is now 7months. I started trying to introduce her to formula from 6months onwards. However, she would not take it, and so I tried cow's milk just to see how she'd take it. She absolutely LOVED it, and because I needed to get her off the boob during the day, and because she would not take any kind of formula, I have been giving her cow's milk for over a month now.
I know that they say that cow's milk does not have enough iron in it but I do not have another choice as she spits the formula out?! Could this bring problems in terms of her nutrition? She still gets breastfed first thing in the morning and last thing at night, and she is on 2 meals a day and the occasional snack... What should I do? Should I try mixing half formula with half whole milk and see if she'd take that?
I am a bit concerned as she is only 7 months... Anyone experienced the same?

She was fully breastfed for 6 months.

xx

 

[missk1989]

Its not the iron levels that are the problem its digestion. Its not good for their tummy if given in large amounts that young. Its fine mixed with foods like in cereal but as a drink its a bit much. If she has been okay with it then maybe just speak to a doctor or hv to make sure it isnt going to do any harm before you carry on. You could always try mixing half formula half cows milk and see if she will take it that way. Then she isnt getting too much cows milk but it will taste similar.

 

[Noodlebear]

I definitely think you should speak to a HV about this, I agree with the pp that mixing the 2 might be a good place to start, I'd try her on more formula than cow's milk. Have you tried giving it to her at different temperatures? In the meantime I'd just avoid giving many other dairy products, it's not really ideal for her tummy.

 

[summer rain]

There are a few problems with cows' milk, not just a lack of iron. Firstly it contains far too much (naturally occurring) salt for a baby under a year old, while formula and breastmilk both contain salt and sodium is essential for life in tiny amounts, if a baby is having cows' milk they could be getting all their daily salt intake from that alone and any extra in breastmilk or solid foods could push levels dangerously high, it seems that some babies their system can handle excess salt better than others but no-one has any way of knowing which babies those are. Which puts a strain on the kidneys. Secondly if a baby cannot tolerate or digest the cows' milk properly it can cause microscopic bleeding in the gut, which can then lead to hidden anaemia. Thirdly it can be extremely constipating. Xx

 

[MindUtopia]

I think try mixing it like you said and see if she adjusts to it. You might also try to use a different brand of formula or try the ready-to-feed cartons. Different brands taste different and the ready-to-feed stuff tends to taste nicer and more like milk than the powdered stuff. I think the powdered stuff tastes awful so I don't blame her!

Also, will she take breast milk from a bottle? Could you try expressing some milk and doing half BM/half formula until she adjusts?

We did start occasionally giving some cow's milk to drink from 10 ish months, but I don't think I would have started it earlier. It might just be a matter of trying different things and giving it time and also having someone else feed her. My friend had the same issue with her daughter and eventually she adjusted, particularly when at nursery. They know all sorts of tricks to get them used to new things. It might just take some time.