Cow's Milk - why you ARE or ARE NOT giving to your toddler - Page 3

[greenemami]

I forget the exact age, but somewhere around 18 months, we let dd have milk, more as a treat than anything else though. I got pregnant when she was ~26 months and started craving milk, so she got a lot more then, lol. We don't use milk so much for nutrition as just because we like it on cereal or to drink every once in a while, if that makes sense. She drinks almost all water on a regular basis and gets her nutrients from her food. We do give her dairy (cheese and yogurt mostly).

[ShadowMoon]

DS just turned 3. We are a vegan household and he has never had cow's milk. He was bf'd until a little after his 2nd birthday (weaned and other issues). We do offer him other types of milks, such as soy, almond, hemp, and oat. Mostly for some extra calories and vitamin supplements.

If your child is healthy and thriving I don't see a need to introduce cow's milk. Cow's milk is for cows after all.

[Dahlea]

I'm breastfeeding, so I don't see any reason for him to have milk.

[nerdymom]

Originally Posted by rvamommy

DD is 17 mos and so far not having cows milk. Recently I've been wavering on this. DD is growing very well and happy and healthy but is nursing every one to two hours and my body is really starting to feel the strain.

I'd love to hear some opinions on why you've started or why you're abstaining.

Thanks!

DS seems to be milk sensitive, as I am. He can do cheese and yogurt but straight milk has some serious side effects for him. I do cook with milk on occasion, and we both are ok with that as well. He just does not do well with a sippy cup of milk. He loves water, and will drink 1-2 sippy cups of water each day. He also eats much better now, thank heaven.

Originally Posted by rvamommy

Yeah, I'm really torn. She does well w/ yogurt, cheese and milk on her cereal but... I don't know, I just haven't felt comfortable starting her on straight milk. It's just that I'm feeling SO DRAINED from all the nursing we are doing and i feel like I need to start supplementing somehow. She has a very good appetite for regular food but is still nursing every one or two hours, including at night. I need a break.

Maybe I'll try the goats milk? It is something I had considered when she started daycare 2x a week but refused to drink my expressed milk. Like I said, she has a good appetite and usually drinks about 24 oz. of water a day so I didn't give the goat's milk then but maybe now is a good time to try.

Thanks everyone! Much love for all of your input!

Have you thought about gently distracting her from nursing? In the book "Mothering your nursing toddler" (which is a wonderful book btw!!) the author talks about distracting a child from nursing, offering to sit and read a story or offering a cup of water, etc. She also says if the child becomes very insistent
or distressed, you should nurse her. You could also try to keep her at the breast longer by singing or playing a game. I've found that making sure I am adequately hydrated so that my breasts are fuller seems to make it easier for him to fill up, and he nurses less frequently on days when I have had a few big glasses of water.

[rvamommy]

Originally Posted by nerdymom

Have you thought about gently distracting her from nursing? In the book "Mothering your nursing toddler" (which is a wonderful book btw!!) the author talks about distracting a child from nursing, offering to sit and read a story or offering a cup of water, etc. She also says if the child becomes very insistent
or distressed, you should nurse her. You could also try to keep her at the breast longer by singing or playing a game. I've found that making sure I am adequately hydrated so that my breasts are fuller seems to make it easier for him to fill up, and he nurses less frequently on days when I have had a few big glasses of water.

Yeah, we do a lot of distraction. I'd say she asks to nurse every 1/2 hour to 45 minutes but I manage to space it out to about every one to two hours. There are some days when I know that she just needs the comfort of nursing and I will let her nurse as much as she asks but sometimes I just can't keep up She is 17 m/o, 27 lbs and 32 " and growing like a weed. I feed her as much as she will let me (basically grazing all day) and we bedshare and she nurses all night. For a long time she only took one breast per feeding but about 2 months ago she switched to both breasts every time. I want to keep nursing but my body needs help - I can feel the difference. I also don't want her to be missing nutrients that she might need.

Sigh. Tried some goats milk (about 2 oz.) and she got really constipated but loved the flavor. Looks like for now we'll just be continuing with water but I hope to find a happy medium for the two of us.