Raw milk yogurt and babies

[tbone]

First I'd like to announce that I got my first delivery of raw milk goodies!! Okay, so I'm really excited.

I got raw milk, raw milk yogurt and butter. Along with some pastured eggs and poultry!

I've got a couple of questions, can I give my 8 month old the yogurt? I've given him the stuff from the grocery store and homemade yogurt with pasturized milk.

Also, I've read on here a bunch of times that raw milk usually has a big layer of cream on top. I've also gotten the pasturized, but not homogenized milk with the cream on top, but this gallon of raw milk does not have any layer of cream. Is something wrong with it?

Thanks!

[kbchavez]

I'm a goat milk drinker, but I believe it takes some time before the (undisturbed) milk separates and the cream rises to the top. I've gotten raw cows milk for my son, and have never noticed a distinct cream line (I shake it every time I open it).

I personally don't see any problem with feeding your 8 mo. old raw yoghurt if he is already eating other kinds of yoghurt. Some mamas like to hold off on solids as long as possible (is yoghurt a solid?), but it seems it's the rawness that concerns you. It can be hard to get past the fear, esp. when feeding it to a little baby, but if your milk is from a clean, trusted source, I wouldn't worry. But every mama has to decide what level of risk they are comfortable with personally... there is no such thing as a completely safe natural food (take spinach, for example )

Kristen

[tbone]

Thanks Kristen!

Yeah, it is the whole rawness fear that I have to overcome. I've given the milk, butter, and yogurt to my almost 3 year old, but not yet to the baby (butter and yogurt).

I think I'll start small today, like a spoon of the yogurt and a little butter on his carrots. I appreciate your help!

[quietserena]

Frankly, I wouldn't go with dairy just yet. I know a lot of people do, and I'm extra cautious because DH has a dairy allergy and DD gets a red bottom if I drink milk. If it were me and there weren't a dairy allergy in my family, I'd still wait until 12 months.

As it is, I'm waiting as long as I possibly can, hopefully until 2. : No dairy and no grains either. She's pretty much going to be eating paleo until then, hehe.