My son is a few days shy of 11 months. I am so ready to be done with breastfeeding. Actually, I am not liking pumping on my lunch break. Everything else is fine. He very rarely drinks the milk I express and send with him during the day, so I am seeing it as pointless. He eats solids and drinks water or juice from a regular cup or sippy cup while in the care of others.

I guess this is the first step of weaning, right? Is it still too early to give him cow's milk?

I did a limited internet search but you guys haven't let me down yet!!

My pediatrician said the normal advise was that a child can have whole normal milk at 1 year of age. But my daughter is a tiny little thing, always has been, always will be. So at 10 months she asked me to start supplimenting her diet with at least one bottle of whole milk once a day.

My point is, if he isn't drinking the expressed milk, let him have whole milk. He might be a bit early for it, but his tummy should be able to handle it. He can continue to breast feed at home with you, and that will be fine. Weaning is a slow gradual process.

Thank you so much for your advice! I am open to any information on this topic.

Dr's generally don't recommend cow's milk until after 12 months... as babies under 1 year are at more risk for allergic reactions, etc. Try to stick it out for the last month if you can.

Cailin, I don't mean to override you, but my doctor actually recommended I switch from the formula my daughter was on (I was unable to breastfeed for a few reasons, anemia being one) to whole cow's milk at 9 months. And I know a lot of other moms who were told the same thing: at 9 months or older, cow's milk was fine for babies. A few of my single mom friends and I lived for the day that we could give whole milk to our babies because of the cost of the formula.

It could have been because of the circumstances though, so you could be right. Of course, she was also on a lot of solid food by then. And there is no family history of food allergies.

me_and_alec if he's eating solids too, a lot of the processed food, including baby food, is made with cow's milk solids, anyway. You should be fine with him having cow's milk or soy milk, depending on what you like. If you're concerned with allergies, try soy instead of cow, or talk to your doctor about alternatives. Just make sure its the highest fat content possible. Babies need the fat for brain development.

Have you talked to your doctor about weaning and alternatives to breastmilk? Or your local lactation expert? Even a public health nurse will be able to give you an educated opinion.

A lot of women wean after 6 months, so good on you to have kept it up this long. I wish I could have had that experience. Oh well ... next baby!

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Originally posted by XeraRose:
It could have been because of the circumstances though, so you could be right. Of course, she was also on a lot of solid food by then. And there is no family history of food allergies.

XeraRose, it's not about being right or wrong..I was stating a fact. Of course it's based on an individual's situation (which is why I said generally speaking). Obviously your doctor did what was best for you and your baby based on your condition.