I was talking to my FIL today and he was telling me I should try giving my 2 month old son whole milk with baby oatmeal in the bottle. I've never heard of this nor do I think it's a good decision. My 2 concerns are him not getting enough nutrients like he would in his formula and I would think the cow's milk would be way too harsh for his little tummy. Supposedly he knows a woman who does this with her 3 month old son and according to her he's happy as a clam and his fussiness/gas is now gone.

The reason he suggested this is because my son is on the Similac Sensitive formula and is still spitty, gassy, and fussy. We've tried the Zantac for reflux, but that didn't help either.

My daughter was a year old when I put her on whole cow's milk and she got constipated from it so bad we had to resort to suppositories:( I can't imagine what it would do to my 2 month old so I'm not going to try it.

I don't know...I guess I think he's crazy b/c I'm young and don't know anything other than what I hear these days. He told me that when he was younger they didn't even have formula and mothers had to do things like this. Is he crazy or am I just overreacting?...and has anyone else done something similar and if so what was the outcome? Thanks:)

Brooke, you are the mom and you know what is best for your baby. Your FIL is just plain crazy to suggest that. Do not give your infant cow's milk! Talk with your doctor and see what he/she recommends. In the meantime, tell your FIL to bugger off! :D

Yeah, he's nuts. Continue as you are and you'll do just fine.

You're right, the cow's milk does not have the nutrients that the formula has and your baby needs that in the first year. Also, to give a baby cow's milk in the first year is risky because of allergies. If your child is spitty/gassy/etc. it may eventually be an intolerance to the milk protein in the formula (which most grow out of) but think how horrible the little one would feel if you then gave it milk.

I understand what your FIL is saying - "in the old days" things were a lot different :) ...but back in the day every baby had "colic" and now they realize many babies suffer from reflux. Also, it's all about avoiding allergies now which may not have been possible years back.

I think you're right on the money - go with your instinct...sounds like you're doing great.

We gave all of our kids cow milk mixed with dark syrup from the time they came home from the hospital. They were all fine, and never had any colic episodes. I'm guessing it's an "old school" thing as my wife grew up on a farm and that's just how it was done. I can't say if it would work for you, but it didn't harm any of our children. (we have 4) It may be a nice supplement to the formula. I agree with the others though, you're the parent, it's your decision. Good luck!

When I was a baby (back in the early 80's) I guess women breastfed for the first 3 or 4 months or gave formula and then changed to cow's milk. I couldn't beleive it when my mom told me. Anyways, it seems your FIL needs to get with the times lol.

I think I read somewhere cow's milk before age 1 may cause diabetes later in life.

I wouldn't even consider it. Cow's milk will not have the nutrition he requires.

I read an article recently about giving babies things that they used to when we were little. It said that even though people tell you "you turned out just fine and you had cereal in your bottle" or "you had cows milk", they have since proven that those things can cause digestion and GI problems later in life. Take a look at the number of medicine out there for these types of problems today. My mom and grandma were telling me constantly how I was given cereal at 2 weeks old - so I sent them the article. Haven't heard anything since!!! There's really no way to know for sure if that's what causes all of the problems we have today, but it's enough info for me to do what MY gut and doctor advise me to do.

There has been a lot of research, on lots of different childcare issues, since our parents have raised us. You are doing the right thing. I just let the suggestions given by the babyboomers go in one ear and out the next. I know they mean well but - yes, they need to get with the times. ;)