Ice Cream

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you wait until 12 months of age to introduce cow's milk, and that would include ice cream.

:)

My daughter' s first food actually was a taste of my ice cream & did fine with it. I would not do more than a little taste here & there though.

If you have already done it, don't worry unless something bad happens - but I wouldn't do it in the future. Not only should babies not have ice cream (cow's milk), but it's not healthy for them regardless....Babies don't need sweets, so why even risk it? Give nutritious foods and teach healthy habits.

The problem with cow milk at that age is that the kidneys aren't ready for the level of salt. A bite, of course, is not a big deal, but in general it's hard on their systems; aside from being high in sugar and the potential for other digestive issues from cow milk. And, again, I've often read that most pediatricians agree that early exposure to solid foods increases the likelihood of food allergies.

yes! you shouldn't give your baby any milk or milk products (i.e., ice cream or yogurt) until he is at least 1 year old. This is what I read and have been told by pediatricians. Your baby's digestive system is not developed enough to tolerate it. Also, if you introduce it too early, your baby may develope a food allergy. My daughter is allergic to milk and my allergist said if we avoid exposing her to any milk products she may grow out of it. I would consult my pediatrician before introduce any new foods.

Nope once you give it to him he will want more and more.
KRW

We started both children on solid food at 4 months. Our daughter, who's now almost 5, wasn't a big eater and preferred her formula. (To this day, she's STILL not a big eater.) At 6 months, my husband gave her peanut butter, and she has no allergies to any food items.

Our son, who's now 10 months, is a BIG eater. He's had everything from chili to ice cream. He prefers milk-based items like yogurt, cheese, and ice cream. He's still on 32 oz of formula; that has not changed.

So it all depends on your child. Our pediatrician thinks it's important to experiment with different types of foods. For our son, she said to hold off on whole milk until 2 weeks before he turns one. Then we can gradually mix it in with his formula.

The issue with infants and whole milk is NOT lactose intolerance. It's about the lack of iron in whole milk. That's why it's important for toddlers to have exposure to all sorts of foods - to ensure that they do indeed receive enough iron once whole milk is fully integrated into their diets.

I'm a single mom and when my daughter was very small it was hard to get her to drink milk. I guess she just didn't like the taste difference between whole milk and breastmilk. I had to become creative to get dairy products into her. I used to give her a little bit of ice-cream with her pancakes so breakfast was more than breakfast, it was fun food too.

Now, as a teenager, she drinks milk with no problem but getting through those first 10-12 years was sort of tough for me.
As a single mom with one child every day is an experiment. As long as your pediatrician does not have any qualms, your baby should be fine.

I think that would depend on his diet normally. If he is eating a good variety of solid foods and hasn't had a problem, I would probably give maybe a spoonful but not much more because of the milk and egg. We went to the beach right after my son turned 8 month and we gave him small tastes when we would get it on the board walk, probably only about 2 tablespoons at a each tasting.

Babies under the age of 1 should not have cow's milk - their little tummies are not able to break down the components - that's why they get formula or breast milk. Since ice cream is made from cow's milk, they shouldn't have it until their digestive tracks are mature enough to handle it - around age 1.

Actually, there is a correction to these posts. Milk products are ok after 6 months (yogurt, cheese, etc.). The reason you are not supposed to give them a cup or bottle of milk is that it would fill them up and they wouldn't want drink the formula or breastmilk that has the nurtrients they need. In fact, if you read the jars of the stage 2 and 3 baby foods, many of them state that they contain milk.

A spoonful here and there of ice creram won't cause any harm, the same as a cookie here and there or bites of any other sweets.

I second Kristin L's response below - a little ice cream probably won't hurt, and that the main issue with giving cow's milk before a year is that it does not have the nutrients of breastmilk or forula, and pediatricians worry, with good cause, that it could replace Breastmilk or formula in the child's diet. I guess lactose intolerance is another concern, and babies tummies can't really process cow's milk very well anyway.

That said, my son is one year now and I've still held off on ice cream - but my reason is to avoid the sugar and hold off on getting him exposed to sugary stuff as long as I can/seems reasonable. He eats a lot of solids (since 6 mths), and has eaten yogurt and cheese for a few months, and some foods with cow's milk as an ingredient. He is breastfed, too, so I worry less about food sensitivities since he's exposed to the foods I eat (somewhat) through breastmilk.

Babies should not have any milk based products until they are at least one. It increases the chance of lactose intollerance. It is better to try and hold off giving sweets to children until they are at least 2. Get your child to be more interested in sweet foods like bananas and the like. This can be a bit of a challenge if you have other children around. Children are predisposed to liking sweets. It is best to avoid things like cake, ice cream and candy until they have had a taste for apples, bananas, and other healthy fruits and veggies.

Both of my kids had it younger than that and were fine. We didn't give a lot (after all, it's not really healthy for adults either), but they enjoyed it and didn't have any digestive problems, still wanted to nurse, etc. They also still ate veggies (and still prefer veggies to sweets). If you notice a big difference in digestion or activity level, or in some other way, I'd hold off on giving more, but if not, then I wouldn't be concerned.

Yes. The body is not ready for whole milk at that age. Nor does he need the sugar. The problem with all our chronic disease today is sugar, dairy and other acidifying foods. Stick with vegetables at that age, grind them yourself, and develop in your child a desire to eat healthfully. NEVER introduce him to soft drinks either. If we don't start feeding our children right, they will be dying before you do. In fact, your generation is probably the first one that is going to be finding that fact out first hand.

L. Cheek, MD
www.sevenpillarstotalhealth.com

Yes, babies under one year of age should not have cow's milk and ice cream has cow's milk. Plus, all that sugar is not good for babies.

My pediatrician's advice was to go easy on the diary until after 1 year old for a variety of reasons. I'd wait or at least check with your pediatrician before giving your child ice cream.
B.

Yes do not give a child ice cream!!!! A baby under the age of 12 months should not get dairy products unless you are advised by a doctor. The baby could have adverse reactions to the dairy. If you already gave the baby ice cream and nothing happened then do not worry but do not give them anymore please.

I wouldn't do it if I were you. Ice cream is ultimately made from cows milk, and contains many of the same proteins that are hard for baby to digest. I would wait until he's ready for whole milk at age 1. You don't want to sensitize him to (grown-up)dairy by exposing him to it too early.

we did sherbet instead.

I personally would not, for various reasons, but YOU are the parent and you know your child and your family's history best. My personal opinion is that cow's milk is for baby cows, not humans. It's not something served regularly, we do have our share of cheeses and ice creams, but I also have a child with dietary restrictions. Ultimately it's your decision, and as long as it's not alot and not often, I believe that children should be exposed to a variety of foods, when they are ready. I've never been one to follow the leader, or go by what a book says. Have fun, and remember, everything in moderation.