Switching from Breast Milk or Formula to Whole Milk - Olathe Health (2024)

FAQs

Can transitioning from formula to whole milk? ›

You should know that the American Academy of Pediatrics still recommends a combination of solid foods and breastmilk or formula for children under 12 months. Only after 1 year do they suggest introducing whole cow's milk.

Whole milk has more protein, less fat and carbohydrates than breastmilk or formula, and a different variation of some key vitamins and minerals. For older infants starting solids or purees, using whole milk in a recipe is typically fine as are other dairy products like cheese and yogurt.

People make the transition all different ways. Many babies can just make a "cold turkey" switch and do just fine. In terms of what milk to choose, that's a great question to discuss with your chlid's pediatrician.

Whole Cow's Milk – Whole cow's milk, when included with a variety of foods, can help support the growth and development of children over 1 year of age. This type of milk is recommended as a replacement to baby formula at this age by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Babies are used to drinking breast milk or formula at a warmer temperature than cold cow's milk that comes out of the fridge. For some babies, you can make milk more palatable if you warm it up to room temperature or slightly warmer. Always test the temperature first before giving it to your baby.

At first, just add a little milk (for instance, one ounce), so that your baby is mostly drinking formula. Every few days, add more milk and less formula in the bottles so that your child slowly gets used to the taste. Eventually, you can transition to just having milk in the bottles or cups and no formula at all.

Around your child's first birthday, pediatricians recommend introducing whole milk into their diet. Whole milk contains vitamin D and calcium, essential in developing strong bones and teeth.

Your growing child needs vitamins and minerals like vitamin D and calcium to build strong bones. Pasteurized, whole cow's milk and soy beverages that have been fortified with vitamin D are good sources of vitamin D and calcium.

A cup (237 mL) of whole milk contains 4.5 grams of saturated fat, which is about 20% of the daily amount recommended by the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. For this reason, the guidelines recommend consuming only low fat or skim milk ( 4 , 13 ).

It's best to wait until about 12 months to stop giving your baby formula. Babies still need nutrient-dense food sources, though, and cow's milk is the best thing to transition to. But your baby's digestive system won't be ready until they're about 1 year old.

When do babies stop having formula? ›

First infant formula, follow-on formula or growing-up milks are not needed once your baby is 12 months old. Cows' milk can be introduced as a main drink from 12 months. Read more about the types of infant formula.

Whole milk can initially cause constipation in some children. Make sure not to exceed the limit of 24oz of whole milk daily and include a diet high in fiber as well as other sources of hydration like small amounts of water.

Milk is an important part of a toddler's diet because it provides calcium and vitamin D, which help build strong bones. Most kids under age 2 should drink whole milk.

Give your child plain whole cow's milk or fortified unsweetened soy beverage in place of breast milk. He or she does not need infant formula or toddler milks, drinks, or formula.

The best type of milk for (most) 1-year-old children is whole cow's milk, which contains more fat than reduced-fat (2 percent), low-fat (1 percent) or nonfat (skim) milk.

Believe it or not, yes — babies can drink cold milk. Many parents choose to heat up their baby's milk, but this is mainly done based on the parent or baby's preference and not for health reasons.

Babies who are formula-fed or bottle-fed are usually slightly warmed, but sometimes families feed babies with formula that has cooled to room temperature or even just taken it out of the fridge. Scientists have proven that temperature does not affect the nutritional composition of milk, babies can drink cold milk.

REMEMBER: After feeding baby, toss out any milk left in the bottle within 1 hour. Fresh breast milk stored in the fridge is good for 4 days, but DON'T freeze it if you don't use it in that time frame. Toss it out.

Start by mixing a little whole milk into your breast milk, allowing your little one to become used to it, and then gradually increasing the amount of whole milk blended into your breast milk after a few days.

There's no reason why you should not continue breastfeeding your child into their 2nd year and beyond. You and your toddler can continue to enjoy the benefits of breastfeeding for as long as you want to. Your toddler may also find breastfeeding comforting when they're ill or upset.

Is whole milk or formula better for babies? ›

Infant formula is generally recommended until age 1, followed by whole milk until age 2 — but talk to your child's doctor for specific guidance. Reduced-fat or skim milk generally isn't appropriate before age 2 because it doesn't have enough calories or fat to promote early brain development.

Milk is a source of concentrated nutrition, including calories, protein, fat, and nine essential nutrients. From age one to two years, the amount of fat found in whole milk is considered beneficial to brain development and overall growth.

Before the invention of bottles and formula, wet nursing was the safest and most common alternative to breastfeeding by the natural mother.

Before the era of "modern" medicine, breastfeeding was the preferred method of feeding infants, just as it is today. But if a mother's milk supply was inadequate or she chose not to nurse, the family often employed a "wet nurse" to nourish infants.

Babies and toddlers need fat in their diets for a variety of reasons, including healthy brain development. So it's usually recommended that kids 1 to 2 years old drink whole milk. Then, if their growth is steady, it's safe to switch to low-fat or nonfat (skim) milk.

Infant formula is still a healthy choice, and your baby will get all the necessary nutrients. If you choose to feed your baby formula, there are some benefits: Anyone can feed your baby. Grandparents or babysitters can feed your baby while you work or get some well-deserved time with your partner.

Whole milk has a bad reputation because it has more saturated fat and may raise cholesterol. There are two kinds of cholesterol: LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, and HDL, the “good” cholesterol. When you drink whole milk, your LDL goes up more than if you drank skim milk.

Cow Milk-Based Formula. Bovine milk is the basis for most infant formula. However, bovine milk contains higher levels of fat, minerals and protein compared to human breast milk.

Low- or non-fat dairy — Skim or 1% milk contains all the protein, vitamins and minerals that whole milk contains, but it has much less saturated fat. This type of milk is typically more heart-healthy than full-fat milk.

Why is formula not recommended after 12 months? ›

Babies digestive systems mature by their first birthday, allowing them digest the proteins in cow's milk. If there's a medical or feeding concern, it may be recommended to keep it for a while longer, but typically babies don't need formula after 12 months.

Your baby doesn't need formula after 12 months.

This includes toddler or stage 3 formulas. At this age, toddlers should be getting most of their nutrition from solid food and can have cow's milk as a drink. If toddlers are having toddler formula, it can reduce their appetite for food.

If your baby is around 6 months old, you can offer small amounts of cooled boiled tap water but you should not replace their breastmilk or formula feeds. Breastmilk or formula should still be their main drink up to 12 months of age. After 12 months, their main drink should be water and cow's milk or breastmilk.

It's because babies' bodies aren't suited for water until several months after birth. Tiny tummies and developing kidneys put them at risk for both nutrient loss and water intoxication.

Your child can begin eating solid foods at about 6 months old. By the time he or she is 7 or 8 months old, your child can eat a variety of foods from different food groups. These foods include infant cereals, meat or other proteins, fruits, vegetables, grains, yogurts and cheeses, and more.

Babies and young children can become intolerant to milk if the lining of their gut is damaged by an illness such as gastroenteritis, or an allergy or intolerance to another food. This is called secondary lactose intolerance and will go away once the gut heals, usually over a few months.

Milk – Some children develop constipation because they are unable to tolerate the protein in cow's milk. If other treatments for constipation are not helpful, try having the child avoid all cow's milk (and milk products) for at least two weeks.

Run cold water over the container, then gradually add hot water until the milk is lukewarm. Or put the milk in the refrigerator for 10 to 12 hours, then warm it in hot water. Stir, check the temperature and feed it to your baby.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends feeding babies only breast milk for the first 6 months of life. After that, they recommend a combination of solid foods and breast milk until a baby is at least 1 year old. Then, babies may begin drinking whole cow's milk.

Is almond milk good for a 1 year old? ›

Can babies have almond milk? Almond milks, and other nut milks, are not recommended as a complete replacement for dairy or soy milk for children under 5 years because they are low in protein. Many are also low in fat, meaning they have less kilojoules (energy) than full fat dairy or soy milk.

Cheese can form part of a healthy, balanced diet for babies and young children, and provides calcium, protein and vitamins. Babies can eat pasteurised full-fat cheese from 6 months old. This includes hard cheeses, such as mild cheddar cheese, cottage cheese and cream cheese.

Although the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend breast milk for optimal infant nutrition, many parents still choose formula as an acceptable alternative.

Once breastfeeding stops, the milk-making cells in your breasts will gradually shrink, making them smaller in size. Some women say their breasts look or feel empty at this stage. As time passes, fat cells will be laid down again in place of milk-making cells, and you might find your breasts regain some fullness.

Stopping breastfeeding suddenly could put you at risk of engorgement, blocked ducts or mastitis, as well as being an abrupt change for your baby's digestive and immune systems to cope with. It may also be difficult for you both emotionally.

On average, it's best to strive for around 2 to 4 cups (16 to 32 ounces) of water per day for toddlers ages 1 to 3. Along with their milk intake and the fluids in their foods, this will provide enough liquid to meet their needs.

Milk. One-year-olds no longer need formula, and can now switch to whole milk. Some toddlers never drink milk; if that's the case with your child, please don't force it. Toddlers need the nutrients in milk — calcium and protein — but these nutrients are also available from other sources.

Most kids under age 2 should drink whole milk for the dietary fats needed for normal growth and brain development. If a toddler is overweight or there is a family history of obesity, high cholesterol, or heart problems, your doctor might recommend switching to reduced fat (2%) milk.

At 12 months old (but not before), your child can be introduced to cow's milk. Before your child is 12 months old, cow's milk may put him or her at risk for intestinal bleeding. It also has too many proteins and minerals for your baby's kidneys to handle and does not have the right amount of nutrients your baby needs.

Limit your child's milk intake to 16–24 ounces (480–720 milliliters) a day. Include iron-rich foods in your child's diet, like meat, poultry, fish, beans, and iron-fortified foods.

Should toddlers drink whole milk or formula? ›

Whole milk is a good option for most toddlers over age 12 months who are not breastfeeding or drinking formula. One benefit of whole milk over low-fat milk is that many people prefer the taste.

Beyond digestion. Cow's milk contains high concentrations of protein and minerals, which can stress a newborn's immature kidneys and cause severe illness at times of heat stress, fever, or diarrhea. In addition, cow's milk lacks the proper amounts of iron, vitamin C, and other nutrients that infants need.

It's best to wait until about 12 months to stop giving your baby formula. Babies still need nutrient-dense food sources, though, and cow's milk is the best thing to transition to. But your baby's digestive system won't be ready until they're about 1 year old.

A child who is lactose intolerant can't digest lactose. This is a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products. The condition can cause bloating and diarrhea.

As the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) states, “There is no evidence that extended breastfeeding is harmful to parent or child.”

At this stage of weaning, your baby may be down to about 3 milk feeds a day. If you're breastfeeding, your baby will adapt their feeds according to how much food they're having. If your baby has first infant formula, they may need around 400ml per day, but just use this as a guide.

To stay well hydrated, children ages 1-3 years need approximately 4 cups of beverages per day, including water or milk. This increases for older kids to around 5 cups for 4-8 year olds, and 7-8 cups for older children.

Babies should stop drinking formula by 12 months of age. There are a few reasons for this. When a baby turns a year old, they are typically eating three meals and two snacks a day, and are getting the majority of their nutrition from food.