Should I switch my 1 year old to cows milk?

You can switch at 12 months; however, it should be organic milk without hormones. It is recommended that no child under 2 drink regular cow milk because of the high level of hormones that can interfere with proper development.

I know I am in the minority, but I've been doing a lot of independent research about cow milk and child development- and it is really frightening. In the US our young women are hitting puberty as early as 8 years old! Some researchers are convinced that this is due to the high levels of hormones children who drink cows milk are exposed to.
Also, cows milk increases the production of mucus in the body which is a significant problem for children with asthma and allergies.

I was a major skeptic of the anti cows milk movement for a long time because I've been told children need calcium to have strong teeth and bones, but I also learned that most vegetables have calcium in them (i.e. Broccoli) and other recent studies indicate that US rates of osteoporosis actually increase in women that have high intake levels of calcium (so too much may be a bad thing).

In any event after weighing the pluses and minuses we no longer drink cows milk in our family and two months after the switch I was able to stop giving my daughter singulair for her asthma because it has practically vanished-now she only has attacks when she catches a cold or there are high levels of allergens in the air. It is amazing the difference. We were used to doing steroid and breathing treatments daily-now it has been 6 months since her last treatment until recently when we all caught nasty sinus infections. Also my own allergies have not been nearly what they were and I think it is because I no longer over produce mucus. (sounds goofy, I know)

I know some of this change may be due to her age or environmental factors but it is quite a coincidence. I guess I say all this just to encourage you to research a little before making the full switch. Because if I could do it over I would never have given her cows milk at all.

C.,
Unless your little one has extra nutritional needs I would switch her to cows,goats, rice, or almond milk, by mixing a little of the new with more old the old . You can do it over a few weeks ( 1/4 new 3/4 formula then up the new). Good luck!
J. O

I introduced cow's milk to my daughter at 10.5 months, and weaned her from nursing at 11.5. Your 12 month old should be getting her nutritional needs from solids by now.

I ditto Jenni L!!! Do your research on what you feed your son or daughter. Cows milk isn't necessarily the best drink for your kids, water is. You can get calcium and fat from other much healthier options, most people use milk because it is the most convenient way, not the best way.