trying milk at 12 months... - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

km7503 · 04-21-2008, 08:33 AM

So, my daughter's 1st birthday is today!

And, last night, I gave her a 4oz bottle of whole milk to try with her dinner. She took one sip of it and didn't want it. I know she doesn't have an allergy because she has eaten cheese and yogurt already and has been fine. I'm not sure if it was the taste or because it was so cold. I didn't really want to heat it up like I ususally do with her formula or at least bring it to room temperature. Any suggestions on how to get her to drink milk and transition from formula? Thanks!

KeltoKel · 04-21-2008, 04:34 PM

I recommend mixing half formula with half whole milk - or even do 75% formula and 25% whole milk until you can completely transition your little one onto whole milk. Each day add more milk. SHe should get used to it over time.

mcr285 · 04-21-2008, 08:22 PM

i absolutely agree with keltokel. i would like to add that you might keep warming the bottles and very gradually heat them a little less over time until she is used to the cold milk.

km7503 · 04-21-2008, 09:09 PM

I didn't know you could mix the formula right into the milk.

Would I mix it with water too then? Like mix the water with the formula, say 2oz. first, and then pour the milk in the rest of the way? Thanks for your help!I'll try it!

luckydarlin · 04-22-2008, 06:20 AM

I just started my daughter on milk last Monday and encountered the same issue. I gave her milk and she took a few sips, scrunched up her face and that was that! I ended up slowly introducing it to her so she would get use to the taste. I would make a regular bottle of formula (with the water) and then would add two ounces of milk to it so it was 75% her formula so it would have the majority of the formula taste. Every few days I have added more milk and less formula and this morning I gave her a bottle with just milk in it and she took it. I have still yet to do a full bottle of just milk at bedtime, but hope to accomplish that by the end of this week. Like you, I didn't want to have to heat the milk - I never heated her bottles either, they were always room temperature. In the beginning, I did put the milk in a glass and heat it just to room temperature for the first week before adding it to the bottle so she didn't notice the difference and now don't need to warm it at all.

It's definitely a slower process than I expected. I thought she'd love the taste of milk and jump right into it. Good luck with your transition!