Hello!

I’m really struggling to keep breast feeding and have tried every brand of formula my daughter won’t take it! Can you give cow’s milk to babies 6 months old instead of breast milk? I’ve heard so much different information I’m confused? Any help would be appreciated.


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  • No. Babies need breast milk or formula until they are one. Then you can transition to cows milk,


  • That being said, my husband was fed with cows milk from day 1 !! Not according to the guidelines though ;)


  • Cow’s milk contains certain proteins that babies’ stomachs and digestive tracts can’t process. It’s also too high in minerals like sodium and potassium that can be too much for your baby’s kidneys to handle.
    Not only that, but it’s also lacking in many of the essential vitamins and minerals that your baby needs in order to grow. In fact, cow’s milk can be so bad for your baby, that it can cause internal bleeding.
    After twelve months, however, your baby’s body will be able to process cow’s milk. It then becomes an important food source, giving your baby calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A and phosphorus. It helps to build strong bones, regulate muscle control and aids in blood coagulation.
    Cows’ milk can be used in cooking or mixed with food from around 6 months but shouldn’t be given as a drink to babies until they are 12 months old.


  • 12mths, otherwise their guts are not mature enough to handle the digestion


  • I didn’t give my boys cows milk until about 12 months. Might be worth checking with your doctor or maternal health nurse


  • I always thought a child had to be at least 12 months old before giving cows milk and that’s what I stuck to my three children not sure if I was right or wrong guy


  • Why is she refusing the formula? Have you tried a couple of different ones to see if there’s one she won’t refuse? I think 6 months is a little young to start cows milk. Mine were closer to 12 months and had no problems


  • There is a ready nade formula that you can buy. It is in tetrapacks. A friend of mine used it because her baby didn’t like any of the formulas either.


  • I started off giving cows milk on ceral and use in cooking. Just introduce slowly from 10months. If all goes well can start to introduce more cows milk.


  • ive always waited till 12 months to give cows milk


  • 12 months is recommended though my bub has weetbix with cows milk


  • No babies are not to have cows milk for a drink or to replace breastmilk/formula until they are at least 12 months old, try different bottles and just pick one formula and persevere it may be hard at first but it will happen eventually


  • 12 months


  • Its about 12 months old but start slowly give them milk on their cereal and see if they have a reaction to it. If they dont after a week repplace a milk feed once a day for a week then replace the next and so on. Then introduce yougart etc.


  • I beleive you are only able to start babies on cows milk once they are 12 months old. Sometimes it takes a little longer for a baby to get used to the difference in formula to breast milk, maybe try the formula in every 2nd to 3rd feed until she get’s used to it. Good Luck


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