Need Experienced Moms Advice Regarding Raw Milk for Infants

My first was bf for 7 weeks, then formula till he was 10 months and then straight cows milk-no problems.
My second was bf for 10 months then straight cows milk-no problems.
My third is now 5 months old and still bf but when she weans she'll go to cows milk too, as long as she's about 10 months old. All my kids were pre-term babies and the second spent time in the NICU, she was the earliest...we have lactose problems in my fam, but my kids seem to be fine & they LOVE their ovaltine chocolate milk.

My cousin has 3 kids and all were 38-41 weekers and she fed them cows milk from 9 months on. My brother was given cows milk at 9 months and is fine too.

My pediatrician has said that between 9 and 12 months an infant's digestive system is developed enough to handle cow's milk. Generally people wait until one year to be sure, but you don't have to wait exactly until their birthday. Breastmilk is best, of course, but my first son started biting me while nursing at about 11 months old. When he drew blood I decided he was done and he was still a couple weeks shy of 1 year. My daughter was 11 months when I weened her also, because I was pregnant with my third and couldn't handle both. I hope this helps.

Usually the transition away from formula happens around one year of age. Some people switch cold-turkey and others start mixing part breast-milk and part whole milk. This is usually because there is such a taste difference for the baby.

I'm curious about your cow share - how did you get into that? How does it work? I looked into doing raw cow's milk for my daughter but I'd have to drive to the other side of the valley weekly, plus the cost seemed exhorbitant. How people feel about raw milk versus pasteurized is really not the issue for your family - it's a personal decision. There are many benefits of consuming raw milk (vs. pasteurized) when it is handled carefully and in a clean manner.

Well, let me just say that your milk co-op sounds SOOOOO very cool! I'd love to have something like that.

Ok...

Most experts say cows milk at 1 is ok, though the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding until 2 years of age. Cows milk was designed for baby cows, as human milk is designed for baby humans. I know that sounds silly, but what I am saying is there is nothing better for that child than their mom's own milk. I would breastfeed as long as possible.

I breastfed my son until he was one and then gave him cows milk. He ajusted fine to it.

Hi S.,

When I had my son, He was always hungary. He would completely drain me when I tried to breastfeed him. His doctor to told me to put him on a real soupy cereal, he was only a week and a half old. After I did all of that I had put him on formula, Well when he was about 2 or 3 months old I started mixing his formula and Regular Whole Milk half & half. aAt his check up the doctor asked me what kind of formula I was feeding him and I said that I wasn't, he immediatley asked me if I was feeding him regular whole milk and I said that I was. Well does he have any reactions like throwing up or rash or any thing and I said Not a Thing!!! OK then I guess you are fine the doctor said. So I did it!! My Other 2 girls are Older and I Put them on Whole Milk when they were about 6 - 8 Months, and they were fine. As long as you do it experi mentally and add a little at a time, like a 1/4 milk and them formula or Breastmilk you should be fine. Then go 1/2 & 3/4 then you got it made. Most all of your doctors will not like you for doing it because of allergy reasons, but it is your child. GOOD LUCK!!!!!

How can you find this milk to purchase?

I know I'm a couple of days late on this response, but I have a goat, and have a little info about the difference between cow/goat milk. I've been told by goat breeders that goatsmilk is very similar to breastmilk. Under a microscope, it looks similar, wheras cowsmilk is simply larger in size, and is more difficult for a human baby to digest. Good luck! M.

Most of the things I have read or heard (including our pediatrician) recommend transitioning children to whole cows milk at 12 months then switching to lowfat milk at 24 months.

Hi S.,

I have used goat milk for 2 of my boys from very early on when I needed to supplement (pumping never worked for me). My three yr old had bad tummy trouble when we tried formula (when he was an infant), but no problems at all with the goat milk. With my 6-mo-old, I just got the goat milk right away instead of messing with the formula. I was sold on the goat milk because not only did it not cause any tummy trouble, but his poops were virtually the same as with breast milk (not so with formula poops!).

We've always used pasteurized goat milk though, and I guess I'd be really careful about using raw milk of any kind with a baby.

-S.

Quote from book: "Don't serve your baby or older child raw or unpasteurized milk, which my contain harmful bacteria. And no cows milk before age 1." She needs to ask her pediatrician...

As a health conscious decision and hearing about all the problems/allergies with synthetic baby formula, we actually started our infant at about 9 months receiving raw organic milk to supplement my breastfeeding, since my husband stayed at home during the day, while I worked and we switched for evening scheduling. My little girl is now three and as healthy as can be.
I am not an expert, so I can only speak from my experience and she was completely healthy little girl and thrived just fine on raw milk. There is lots of research out there promoting raw milk. Hey it is what humans used as a source of nutrients until just a few years ago.
Best of luck with your own experience. :)

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2010/04/raw-milk-website-la...
http://www.realrawmilkfacts.com/

I'm a veterinarian and I've been on more dairy farms than the average consumer, and I can tell you that there are MANY opportunities for bacteria to contaminate a milk product on a dairy farm. I'm also a microbiologist, and I can tell you that milk is a perfect multiplying medium for bacteria. I am on a food safety mailing list and I get email newsletters all the time regarding outbreaks of food-borne disease all over the country associated with raw milk and raw milk products. I'd be happy to share if you're interested. I can see NO good enough reason to drink raw milk to outweigh the risks- it's like playing russian roulette with your children's health.

People who grew up on dairy farms may have "self-vaccinated" over the years and are thus more resistant to the bacteria commonly in raw milk. That is not the case for you or your children. Please reconsider exposing them to this risky product.

Traditionally after a baby turns one is when you transition from breastmilk/formula to regular cows milk, usually whole milk until the age of 2 then 2% is sufficient. Hope this helps
Z

If she can keep breastfeeding until the baby is at least 1 or 2 years old, it will be better to introduce the milk gradually. Gradual weaning is best for mom and child, anyway. Another person she may want to talk to is a naturopathic physician. Most Western med doctors are not trained with knowledge about natural alternatives to modern culture. When I needed to supplement for my 2nd child, I didn't give him goats milk until after 6+ months (and then it was not raw) because my doctor told me that especially in young infants it can mess up their electrolyte balance. I nursed my oldest until he was almost 2 yrs old and then gave him fresh goats milk with no problems. If you are comfortable with the milk source and care/cleaning/storage, I would think introducing it gradually at 1 or 2 years old would be a good idea. I'm a natural mom, age 37 with 2 healthy boys ages 5 and almost 3. I wish I could find fresh milk for my boys again. I currently give them rice and soy milk.
Have a great day,
M.

Hi S.,

I was only able to breastfeed my son for 3 weeks and I refused to give him the formula in the can so I found a homemade baby formula recipe that contained raw milk. My son was on raw milk from 2 months old until 15 months old. You can basically start anytime to transition from breasmilk to cowmilk or goatsmilk. Goatsmilk mimics actual human breastmilk and would continue to support the baby's immune system so there is nothing to worry about there. You can also checkout the Weston Price Foundation website where I obtained the homemade baby formula and it will also explain the benefits of raw milk and goat milk. Hope this helps!

Sincerely,
M. Burton, L.Ac

hi, S.!

how are you doing? thanks for asking the question for your friend...it is NOT a good idea to feed unpasteurized milk (cow or goat) to a child...has potential for listeria and other diseases that you don't really want to pass on. also, there is a good chance of anemia that happens with goat milk if given to a child less than 1. the recommendations are for breast milk or formula until one year of age and then onto whole milk (pasteurized only). at that point, you can also give soy or rice milk, but stay away from the "nut" milks like almond milk until age 2 (or 3, depending on family allergies). hope this helps, but the best advice is to check with the pediatrician!

-B.