When to bring in the cow?

Whether you breastfeed, or fomula feed your child, you will eventually be switching to cows milk.
The best age to begin the transition to cows milk is once a child reaches 12 months old.  At this age they are physically able to digest cows milk.  Before this age the are unable to digest the protein and the cows milk contains sodium and potassium that is bad for an infants kidneys.

Children between 12, and 24months should be drinking whole milk, a less fat milk does not have the callories and nutrients a child of this age needs to grow.  Children on whole milk may still be breastfed, as long as it is not their primary form of neutrision.

A toddler should be getting between 2 and 3 cups of whole milk a day.  This does not just have to be consumed through a bottle or sippy cup, but can also include yogurts, cheese, in eggs, or on cereal. These options are good if your child does not transition to whole milk well.

Some children have a hard time transitioning to whole milk, as it does have a different taste and texture than breast milk or formula.  To help a child transition, you can try slowly mixing whole milk into your child's breast milk or formula.  Try 1 part whole milk with 3 parts breast milk or formula.  Once the child has adjusted, you can do 2 parts whole milk, with 2 parts breast milk or formula, and so on until you are feeding only whole milk.  Again, you can still breastfeed if feeding whole milk.

Allergies are rare in toddlers, with only 2-3 percent of children being allergic to milk, and 95% of those growing out of the allergy by the age of 3.  It is important to understand the difference between an allergy to milk, and lactose intolerance.  Children that have been drinking milk-based formula, or were breastfed by a mother who was consuming dairy products, should be able to switch to whole milk without any problems.  If your child was not breastfed, breastfed by a mother NOT consuming dairy products, or was on a soy based formula, contact your doctor before starting your child on cows milk, as they may recommend staying with soy based milks.  If you can avoid soy or rice milk, whole milk is best in vitamin D and calcium.  Like any new food, only introduce one new food at a time, so if allergies do form, you can be sure of the cause.

Have a question you'd like answered?  Or a problem you'd like addressed?
Send an e-mail to TheRugRatHandbook@yahoo.com