Can you give me tips for transitioning from formula to milk? - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

dina08 · 11-30-2008, 06:19 AM

Can you please give me tips for transitioning from formula to milk? Did you gradually do it? Did the baby mind cold milk from the fridge? How do you transport milk or did you buy it wherever you were going? What if you were at a restaurant and they only have 2%?

Thanks.

LauraLu · 11-30-2008, 07:50 AM

Hi dina~
I just did this four months ago so it's still fresh! We actually did it over a course of about two weeks I believe. My dd was on a soy formula and I was so paranoid about putting her on cow's milk because I didn't know how she would react.
We started out with 2 oz whole milk, 6 oz formula for three days; then 3 oz whole milk, 5 oz formula for three days; then 4 oz milk, 4 oz formula for three days; then 5 oz milk and 3 oz formula for three days and then finally we just gave her all milk because we knew we was adjusting just fine.
It was a tedious process but I was willing to do it because my brother's twins became horribly constipated after he put them on milk right away. That's why we did it gradually.
As for transporting milk, we got creative. I actually washed out a big coffee can and put ice in it whenever we needed to go anywhere over the summer. The bottles fit in there perfectly. Now that my daughter doesn't take a bottle anymore, I don't bother with it and just give her juice or I buy a carton of milk if we're out at a restaurant.
Also, I think 2% is fine to give if you're out every now and then. I main thing you'll want to concentrate on is the adjustment period...please don't just give her straight milk. I would definitely mix it with her formula first.
Good luck!

AlexaIn2006 · 11-30-2008, 12:23 PM

I just transitioned at one time when my daughter was 11 months old. I ran out of formula and she was close to turning one, so I bought some organic whole milk and she liked it and that was it, no issues. I suggest organic milk because there are no growth hormones or chemicals.

I would also suggest investing in a Thermos or Foogo cup. They have them at Target in the camping or sporting section. They are stainless sippy and straw topped. They keep milk cold for 12 hours, plus there are no chemicals leaching into the liquid like plastics do. They are $15.00. I bought one I only use for water and one I only use for milk and I want to buy one more that I only use for apple juice. You can get Barbie, Hello Kitty, Batman, etc.

AlexaIn2006 · 11-30-2008, 12:25 PM

If you are at a restuarant or Grama's house and there is only 2% it is no big deal. Do you think that drinking milk with less fat at someplace once in a while is going to harm? I would personally be more concerned about whether the milk is organic or not, but we always make do with what it around, no worries.

dina08 · 11-30-2008, 02:51 PM

It is not a question of is 2% harmful. It is the question of weight. My daughter does not need to be on any diet foods as we are trying to get her to gain weight.