How Much Cow's Milk for Nursing 1 Year Old?

Just wanted to let you know she can also get milk from icecream or yogert ect. If you want an exact amount you could always call the doc, but kids do get other forms of calcium.Hope this helped a little, best of luck.

Call the BF center at Bethesda North hospital their lactation consultants will call you back the same or very next day. They are wonderful! If you call the main number you may have to ask a lot b/c the older lady volunteers some time answer the phone! So, I would just ask to be transfered to the L&D and then ask one of them.

If your child is still nursing, she does not need cow's milk at all. Your doctor does not have correct information.

My Dr. agreed with me that the only reason that cow's milk is pushed is for the calcium. Believe it or not, there is research that shows that the calcium in cow's milk isn't even all that absorbable for the human body!
So my 14 mo. old daughter rarely drinks milk at all (I had started her on it at 12 months, but she would spit up all the time...go figure!) So now I know that I'm getting her all of the Calcium and other nutrients that she needs through her awesome supplements that I'm giving her (feel free to ask me more about that if you're interested.)

But dont' feel like you have to bombard that little sweetie with the milk that was intended for another mammal ;0)

Heather nailed it, most doctor's while they mean well are taught all the hype about what is and isn't good for a child, children can be exclusively nursed for the first year before even starting solids and thrive. The main reasont aht doctors suggest whole milk after the first birthday is because of the fat, it ehlps with brain developlment, but take a good look at forumla commercials and you will see that your breastmilk has everything a baby needs and then some including the proper amount of fats for brain development, which is why formula's are now adding in all this ARA and DHA or whatever that is found in breast milk. SO i wouldn't worry and would jsut continue to do waht you are doing and making hsure she gets good variety and healthy choices when she is getting solids, and continue to nurse untill you are both ready to be done. good luck.

My Doctor belives cow's milk is too hard for "anyone" to digest. Afterall, cow's milk is balanced to turn a 100lb. calf into a 1,000lb. adult cow. The amount of protein is too much for any human to digest. That is why breast milk is best, I think you've done a wonderful job so far breast feeding as long as your baby is still nursing, I would offer her only that. After that I would look into rice milk or almond milk. I do have a diet that limits dairy and I drink almond milk and take calcium supplements. I understand not everyone follows this belief, but I do know cow's milk protein is very hard to digest and produces a lot of mucus in the body and because of that, not all the calcium and vitamins are even absorbed into the body. For a nation that consumes the most dairy products, we have the highest rate of osteoperosis-go figure? I say keep breast feeding.

She's absolutely fine. My 2 nurslings took awhile to get used to cows milk. Actually, the younger(21 months) still nurses and is kind of still not too sure about cows milk. She doesn't drink it even as much as your little one. And my girls doctor still can't believe they haven't been to the him more for sickness (ear infections etc.) My eldest is over 3 and has been to the doctor (for illness) 1 time. My youngest has been there 1 time. So I would have to say that the nursing is the best thing over cows milk. But I don't mean to stop giving it to her. Just continue as you are.

She doesn't NEED the cow's milk. She needs fluids and a well balanced diet. My boys don't drink dairy and are happy, healthy, and in the 90th percentile or better for height and 60th percentile for weight. Dairy protein (not lactose)changes their happy behaviors to very negative behaviors.
Please, this is my knowledge, do the research, for yourself.

It's great that you've gotten so many really great comments! I agree that breastfeeding toddlers don't need cow's milk. It's made for baby cows. If she likes it, let her drink it, if not, don't worry about it.

Also, about calcium. Our society seems so worried about calcium consumption. I just have on question to ponder...Where do cows get the calcium that's present in their milk? Green vegetables! Anyone want some brocolli for dinner? :) Your body will probably absorb it better that way anyway.

My son is 20 months and still only gets cow's milk when he is at grandma's 3 days a week. At home he nurses on demand (basically just before sleep). There, he gets two sippy cups, one with a few ounces of milk the other with water. If he finishes the milk (or it gets old) she will give him more. He goes through a half gallon in about 2 weeks (6 days). I hope that helps.

She is getting plenty...

Breastfeeding 2 times daily is enough dairy and the BEST!!!!!
I would add some yogourt and then work more in giving fruits, veggies, and healthy protein. There is nothing in cow's milk that you can't give. Vitamin D can be obtained with daily sun exposure and the yogourt. Too much cow's milk can interfere with getting enough iron in daily. Max amount of cow's milk is 16 ounces if not breast feeding.

my ped says none, toddler formula for another months, then vitamin D milk

I hate to call your doctor an idiot, but your child NEVER needs ANYTHING that is in cows milk. People aren't baby cows....we're the only creatures on the face of the earth that drink another animals milk. If your daughter is breastfeeding, she is getting more and better quality ANYTHING than would come from a cow. I f you absolutely feel like you want to give her bottles, try pumping your own (it's not difficult, and is far less expensive in the long run that purchasing cows milk, and dealing with all of the health risks associated by consuming it). My daughter is almost 3, and she has yet to take a single drink of cows milk. I buy soy milk for myself, but some people steer away from that with kids because of the phytoestrogens, in which case there are rice milks, almond milks....lots of different choices. Do yourself a favor and read "Diet for A New America". It may make you want to never eat meat again, but at the very least, you will see things about the dairy industry that may make you think twice about giving cows milk to your kids ever again. If you really want to give them cows milk, I would highly recommend that you choose organic, or at least grass fed from some dairy farm local to you.

Breast milk is all your little one needs. Did your doctor say what in the cow's milk he/she believes your daughter is not receiving from you? If she's drinking a small amount at mealtimes, that should be plenty and if you'd like to add more, try yogurt - it's a nice snack too - my guys liked the drinkable ones (danimals) and there are so many options with the creamy/spoonable yogurt (baby section has organic, soy, etc. and you can just do the regular adult yogurt). I'd find out exactly what the doctor feels your little one needs though because I'm guessing it can be found it other foods (cheese?). Remember, they say a child's stomach is as large as their fist. I'm sure you're providing exactly what she needs, trust yourself!

Good luck!

Good for you for still nursing!! Actually, humans don't need anything in cows milk if they are getting enough calcium and Vit D other places (cheese, yogurt, etc...) I think my doc said as much or as little as Eli wants but no more than 16 ounces a day (which is really quite a bit!!!)

Also, it's time to drop the bottle and use sippy cups.

Hi A.,

My daughter was still nursing a few times a day (2 or 3) at 14 mos and did not drink any cow's milk. She is super healthy and at the top of the growth charts. I did make sure that she eats servings of broccoli, yogurt, and other calcium rich foods. Way to go for still nursing! Since you are still nursing at this point then you know "breast is best" and your daughter is getting everything she needs from your milk! I think cow's milk is not all it's cracked up to be. I wouldn't worry about making her drink cow's milk as long as she eats plenty of healthy foods in her diet. BTW, my daughter had zero interest in milk until recently when I finally weaned her. Anyway, I hope that helps and I hope you feel confident that your milk is giving your daughter what she needs!

if she wants to nurse for her nap, and you don't mind nursing her, then it would actually be better for her then the cows milk.
formula stays the same from newborn to 12 months... so it isn't adaquate nutrition for a toddler so the dr's suggest to switch to whole milk.
but breast milk changes monthly as your child's needs change! so breastfeeding your 12 month old in stead of milk is BETTER! human milk still contains high amounts of ready to go DHA, and RHA... the essencial fatty acids that make up our brains, nerves, eyes... more ready to use iron, protein, and carbs in the perfect balance for HUMAN children (as opposed to the muscle building power needed by COW babys)

my oldest son was both with a birth defect that effects his brain. when he was little (7yrs now!) his nurologist noticed that i was still breastfeeding at 14 months. He said
"Keep doing that AS LONG AS POSSIBLE!! it is Brain food, and there is absolutely NO substitute that equals the power of breast milk for a toddler!"
that was the most encouraging words that i have ever gotten from a dr.!! and he is BRAIN dr.!

M.
(birth doula, and mom to 3!)

I would talk to a lactation consultant. I breast fed my youngest child (who was a preemie) until she was 17mo. She only ever received juice or water by sippy cup with meals. You really need to talk to someone with more knowledge on breastfeeding. Doctors are not always right. If your child is growing and thriving still there is no reason for you to alter what you are doing. Human breast milk is the best for them.

Time for the cup at 1 year old!! It's time for all cow's milk!

My doctor told me when my son turns 1 year old he should be getting 18 ounces of cows milk a day....3 six ounces glasses with each meal. He told me for other drinks during the day, he should get water or a little bit of juice because babies don't need the extra calories drinking milk all day long. I hope that helps!!!

Nursing toddlers are still getting the most perfect food for them thru breastmilk. Your doctor means well but is uninformed about the qualities of breastmilk. I would back off of the cow's milk and not worry about it too much. Breastmilk is a complete food and it isn't necessary to supplement it with cow's milk considering she is probably getting plenty of solids. If you are worried about calcium I would concentrate on foods that are high in it, like dark green vegetables and stuff as it is more absorbable, rather than cow's milk. The calcium in cow's milk is not very absorbable by humans anyway because it is made for baby cows.

At 14 months you should probably think about taking the bottle away. My boys aren't huge fans of milk so we put ovaltine to make it better. They get anywhere from 6-16 ozs of milk depending on their mood. My boys also love yogurt there is another milk source!

A., if she is getting your milk, she does not need anything in cows milk...your milk is whole and perfect for her...and cows milk's protein is harder for her to digest.. did you know that your milk actually continues to chance in composition to give her exactly what she needs as she gets older! cows milk is really for baby cows and your milk is really for her!!!! not that a little cow milk will be harmfull, unless she is sensitive, but no need to substitue cows for yours!!! love A.

Breastfeeding toddlers don't need to have any cows milk. They can, but it's not necessary. What you doctor probably meant was that she needs calcium, but as long as she's eating cheese or yogurt or some green vegetables, she's probably getting enough of that. (Technically, no people NEED cows milk. It's meant for newborn cows, not people. We drink milk in our family (though not my 14 mo old nursing daughter) because it's an easy source of calcium and protein, but there are plenty of people who drink no milk at all and are fine. They just get calcuim and protein from other sources.) My daughter is 14mo, nurses and drinks no cows milk. My doctor says that she doesn't need any cows milk as long as she's nursing (since she gets calcium and other nutrient through nursing), especially if she's getting other sources of calcium. Also I would be hesitant to ever give up a nursing session to substitute cows milk since mother's milk has so many more benefits and is so nutritionally perfect for your daughter. (This is a link to an article about how toddlers need calcium (from nursing and other sources), but not necessarily milk: http://www.askdrsears.com/faq/fn1.asp ) It's not that milk is a problem for your daughter; it's just that she doesn't necessarily need it, especially if it's replacing nursing!