I dont see that this is an issue at all.
My two eldest switched to cows milk when they were around a year old but my youngest decided that she didnt want breast milk anymore at 9mths so I would give her a bottle of cows milk instead and they were all fine.

The cost pressures are real, and seeking financial help or exploring more affordable alternatives might be worthwhile, rather than compromising the baby’s nutrition. It’s crucial to prioritize the baby’s health and consult with a healthcare professional for the best guidance in these challenging circumstances. As much as financial stress is a significant burden, the baby’s well-being should remain a top priority.

Speak to your health nurse or doctor and see what they can suggest. To me, babies formula should be kept at a reasonable price so things like this never become an issue. My son was put on cows milk with the health nurse’s permission because all of the formula’s would cause him issues. He’s 40 now and it never affected him.

One of my kids was having 3 meals a day by 9 months. No baby food. Meat and veg chopped up small or mashed and I gave cows milk one day when we ran out of formula. We had no problem, and continued with cows milk from that point.

I am sure there are other places that you could cut your spending… but I feel sorry for someone that have to make these sort of considerations to make ends meet.

I think she’d be wrong to do any of this, but I certainly feel for her. Babies cost so much at the formula and nappies stage.

The cost of living is getting out of control and I really feel for parents who need to buy formula.

However there are options such as foodbanks/charities to help with formula etc…you can also get donor breast milk some countries have milk banks, others its Facebook groups, which is free to consider before giving cows milk or the dangerous alternative of watering down formula or buying the cheaper unregulated next stage/follow on “toddler milks”

Getting professional advise is always good, but if the child is eating a very week balanced diet with all the nutrients I’m sure the cows milk won’t be a bad swap.

Formula is a fairly recent discovery and at one time it was only available for those children who were lactose intolerant. I am sure this mother has many pressing bills to worry about all of which are important before she thought of trying something else other than formula. At 9 months bubs are usually eating solids as well, so a talk to her GP or the baby clinic would sort out her problems I feel.

To think that this is actually real life for many people is so sad. Watering down formula is actually w really bad this and can cause issues for the child sadly I would choose cows milk over watering down formula but if I really had a choice and money wasn’t a problem I would be staying off cows milk for longer but I totally understand that money is an issue for many people and it’s no fault of their own.

I’m so sorry that this is an issue for many here and overseas due to the cost-of-living crisis. It should never come to this.

Buy a Cow they are going cheap now and milk your own .

It’s sad that this has to be an issue. Formula should never be watered down- she should just go with the cows milk. Being that the baby is eating solid food and will be 9 months, I’d say it would be okay. My kids were down to about 2 feeds by then with breast milk.

This is sad. So many people are struggling to make ends meet at the moment. Maybe she could chat with her chn to see what options are available to her.

It’s sad when the cost of living becomes so high that the consideration of starting cow’s milk early has to be made for some families.
There are places we can to turn to for assistance including local food banks or offices of Women, Infants, and Children (also known as WIC), a national program that provides low-income women with formula and healthy food.

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  • • mom93821 replied
    • 18 Oct 2023 , 6:52 am

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  Good on you for sharing links that might be useful for people in this situation.

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  • • 
    • • Ellen replied
      • 20 Oct 2023 , 8:59 am

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    Yes, many may not know. Forgot to add the link
    https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/free-programs-for-new-parents-and-your-children

My husband is born & raise in Northern Ireland. My mother in law fed her babies from newborn stage onwards just cows milk, my husband and his siblings grew up just fine
I’m not saying we shouldn’t follow the official health advice, but just goes to show…

That would be very bad for bub. Try inducing lactation instead. Breastmilk is free.

Advice from a GP, nurse, nutritionist or other health professionals would best way to go for the right advice on this issue. They might even know of ways to source cheaper formula or schemes and resources to assist with feeding babies.

She really needs to talk to a doctor and not ask absolute strangers. I’d hope that there is a way for her to be able to afford to buy the formula. She just needs to get through the next Four months.

A definite no. Only at 12mths should a child be introduced to cows milk. Cows milk does not contain enough iron to compensate a baby’s needs.
Major health issues can occur if given prior to 12months – intestinal bleeding, and kidney problems because of the many proteins and minerals which can cause a overdose.
9-12month can be given small amounts if the child is already eating on a regular basis foods which are rich in iron – ie meat, eggs.