What to give baby in place of BM at one year?

[ccasanova]

While I would have loved to continue BF'ing baby after one year, it looks like it's not going to happen. So I want to know what the next best thing is. I don't want formula, or regular store bought pasturized/homogonized milk. Raw milk would be nice except I no longer live near a dairy (I was lucky enough to live near the Organic Pastures Dairy) where I can get their yummy raw milk at wholesale prices. Now if I want to buy it, it will cost me $10 a half gallon, so milk would only be a once in a while treat. Will he *need* some kind of milk beverage? Or do I only *think* he will *need* milk because the peds. I used to take my kids too always said, "Give them full fat milk until 2 years old, and then lowfat after that." I want to make sure he gets enough calcium and fat in his diet. Should I maybe give him almond milk? I would try my hand and making it myself instead of buying it at the store. I do make kefir, which I do plan on giving him in the form of smoothies.

[star792]

honestly, for the health and nutrition of your child, I would go with formula-(organic) if you aren't going to breastfeed.

[Drummer's Wife]

I would also do formula. I had to wean my youngest at 13 mos when I was hospitalized for three weeks and felt a lot better giving him formula (either the infant version or toddler) over whole fat cows milk. It's just really, really unlikely that at 1 years old a toddler is going to eat a balanced enough diet to get the nutrients they need. Breastmilk is that back-up guarantee; if it's not an option, I personally think formula is the best substitute. It's worth the extra cost, IMO.

[TheGirls]

how about a toddler formula like baby's only organic formula: http://www.naturesone.com/dairy.php

It would be my first choice if breastmilk weren't an option for my one year old. I'd also consider goats milk if you can source it. I fully believe that human children need a "milk" of some sort for the first two years at least.

[ccasanova]

formula? really? It seemed like such a bad word but I'll look into the one recommended. So for the first 2 years is when they need a milk of some sort, huh? Would the Baby's only organic formula be better than the raw milk? I think I might have found a source that would bring it down to $6 per gallon which would make it easier to do for the family. Is there somewhere online that I can read about what the best alternatives to BF in the first 2 years are?

[Drummer's Wife]

I guess for me it was the fact that I knew breastmilk was the ideal source of nutrition for the first 2 years. Of course, most toddlers are going to eat some 'real food' as well, but there is definitely info that supports the nutritional value of breastmilk being higher than cow's milk -- it doesn't really matter if baby is 11 mos or 16 mos, breastmilk is still superior.

So, I compared the nutrients in cow's milk to baby formula and went with the more nutrient packed option. That and when I was in the hospital family members gave my DS cows milk in a bottle and he reacted pretty badly digestive-wise, yet he did fine with formula (still milk-based).

I'm not that familiar with raw milk (I mean, I realize it comes from a cow ) but just comparing the nutrients of the Baby's Only organic formula chart to this overview on the benefits of raw milk, I personally would choose the formula. At least until 18 mos or so. I know it seems like the evil option and all, but that's when breastmilk is an option. Just knowing that formula is better than cow's milk (and not just b/c of allergies) at under a year of age was enough to convince me to look into it as a viable choice for 13+ months. When I was researching for my DS, I looked at cow's milk vs goat's milk vs. formula. The fatty acids are a biggie, though I know there are other ways to include those in the diet that doesn't require a 'milk' source. Good luck figuring it all out. It's hard, I know.

[dogmom327]

I would make my own formula using raw milk

[alegna]

Formula of some sort.

Perhaps someone can help with the nursing issue if you post a thread about it.

-Angela

[prettypixels]

Formula is the next best thing to breastmilk, and I actually continued giving my daughter formula until a few months ago. (She is 2.5) If the WHO standard is to breastfeed until 2, then it seems appropriate to provide the next best milk substitute until that age as well.

[blueridgewoman]

I wouldn't do formula, especially at one year. What I WOULD do is make sure your kiddo is doing enough solids to eat a reasonably well balanced diet. I would make sure to include lots of coconut oil there too-- scramble eggs in it, fry veggies, baste meat, etc. I would also give a CLO supp in a dropper or something- high vitamin CLOs require very small doses (1/4 tsp a day for adults).

I'm assuming here that you can afford the raw milk, which I would absolutely include in my child's diet, preferably as a part of the raw milk formula recipe if you can swing it, and I would make sure that he was eating plenty of grassfed meats as well. Meats and eggs were my daughter's first foods around a year, and she still eats them readily. I know every kid is different though, so YMMV.

My daughter didn't eat much until, oh...about a week ago so I understand the fear of your child not getting enough. However, I really think the reason she hasn't eaten much until now was because she was nursing. If that was taken out of the equation, I think she would have eaten more. I guess that's something you'll have to assess, but I'm sure that a few weeks of trying raw milk in conjunction with other dietary things and not doing formula is not going to be harmful for your child.

I understand that formula is considered a reasonable alternative to mom's breastmilk, but I would argue that it is full of fillers, sweeteners, and artificial/synthesized vitamins that aren't absorbed well. I would much rather focus on whole, healthy foods as a first resort.

[mom61508]

My DD is a year and I'm still Pretty much EBF except for a little fruit here and there but I don have a goat milk formula on hand If I need it. It's not organic I know but goat milk formula is the only way I would go. Not a fan of soy or the cow. It's made from New Zealand grass-fed goats
If you would like the link PM me It's hard to find. http://oreganicthrifty.blogspot.com/...la-recipe.html
this is a homemade one If you are up for it

I was trying to find a goat formula that I read about on naturalnews.com that was for babies 1-3 but can't find it now :
If I find I will post but you can try to search that site and perhaps have some luck finding it.

[HuntressMother]

Have you ever thought about trying raw, unpasturized goats milk? Its very sweet and very similar to BM. It breaks down very easily and most kids love it. Once my mother had to keep 4 week old DS because of a family emergency and i didnt have any BM pumped, so she got her hands on some goats milk and he slurped it right down .

I would recommend either making your own formula or trying goats milk. The only thing is GMs is lacking some vitamins, so try buying some organic formula and when you make the little ones bottles, try putting a scoop or two of the formula in with the milk as well as a bit of organic flax oil. Ive used this more than once for both of my children and they loved it. My 4 year old still enjoys goats milk throughout the day.

Have a look around this website. There are pages here about how to make your own formula and i would suggest reading as much as you can about goats milk. Good Luck!

www.unhinderedliving.com

~Much Love and Light~
Hannah