Starting baby on cows milk

Hi, I am currently b/f my 11 month old 4 times a day and he also drinks water and eats a wide range of solid foods. I've decided to drop his afternoon feed because he doesn't seem to be missing it on the occasion he doesn't get it. I plan to continue the b/f in the morning and before bedtime for as long as he likes.


I would like to know about introducing cow's milk to replace the afternoon feed. I don't think we will go to any formula as we tried it once before and it was rapidly rejected. (I don't blame him, I tried it and it was awful tasting stuff) He has had cows milk a few times before and likes it.


We drink Greenfields fresh milk, but I also buy Anchor full fat powdered milk (from NZ - a brand I trust) as a back up. I'm big on fresh dairy myself, but I can't see any reason why I shouldn't give him the powdered milk instead of fresh milk?? (I'm a little wary of the milk brands here because I don't know them well). Is there any nutrional reason I should give him the fresh milk over the powdered?

Katie i think most people on this forum (check the milk discussions before) give their little ones Pura (incl me) - it is Australian milk, as compared to Greenfields which i think is local? From aus cows but in China - or something - there was a discussion on it recently. anyway, nothing wrong with powdered milk but fresh one makes your life a bit easier. Australia bands growth hormones (unlike US) so Pura is as good as it gets in HK i think. Dark blue of course - not that horrid pale blue "milk drink"

Pura for us. I agree that fresh makes life easier. The only reason I would avoid powdered milk is that I would rather not have all that processing done before it reaches baby. Probably all in my head... And of course it should be full fat.


"Dark blue of course - not that horrid pale blue "milk drink""


A very weird way of pretending to make skim milk. I don't understand why they can't just make skim milk like everyone else...

Some sources recommend waiting until one year of age to introduce cow's milk, others believe it can be started earlier if the breastfed baby is consuming a healthy and varied diet of solids. I spoke with the Matilda Hospital dietician who provided me with the following information regarding fresh milk versus powdered milk.



"Generally there is no difference in the nutrient value such as protein and calcium between the fresh liquid milk and the powdered milk. The ratio of whey and casein remains unchanged. Some of the pasteurized milks on the market indeed are milk solid + water. It should be noted that the powdered milk of some brands are fortified with many other nutrients such as vitamin K, iron, extra calcium...that the nutrient value is even higher than the fresh milk."



Well Baby Clinic 2849 1500

Matilda International Hospital

Hong Kong

http://www.matilda.org

Thanks for the advice. I have been giving my bub cows milk once a day for a week and no problems there. I am generally for fresh over non processed foods, however milk concerns me slightly due to the fact that I have no idea which of the milks may have come from BGH cows (apart from Australian Pura, which isn't always available where I live). I was also wondering about the powdered milk being fortified and the vitamin D levels in particular, so that's good to know.

I tried giving my little one Pura the other day, his first taste of fresh milk - rejected it! would appreciate any suggestions on how to make it like it better....thanks