Do Babies Poops Change When They Switch to Whole Milk?

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Once formula-fed babies turn 1, they should switch from drinking formula to whole cow's milk (unless there are allergy concerns). The American University of Pediatricians (AAP) recommends that children ages 12 to 24 months drink whole milk rather than reduced-fat milk, as toddlers demand the extra fatty in their diets to support optimal brain development.

In specific cases, low-fat milk may be warranted if a child has a strong family history of centre affliction. Each child will need to be assessed individually, every bit what they eat and drink as a whole, also as what foods they enjoy and have admission to, should be included in the decision. Withal, in most cases, whole cow's milk is the recommended option.

When to Transition From Formula to Milk

Information technology may be tempting to switch your formula-fed baby to regular milk before age 1 for a few reasons, including cost savings and convenience. But formula is designed to mimic the nutritional components of breast milk and is the ideal food (afterward chest milk itself) for babies. Formula contains just the right balance of fats, poly peptide, and other nutrients to support proper growth.

Cow's milk not only doesn't have the appropriate nutritional make-up for babies, but it contains certain proteins and a higher concentration of minerals that can be difficult for those under 12 months quondam to digest.

The composition of cow'southward milk is, however, well-suited to a toddler's digestion and dietary needs and should replace formula after their first birthday. This replacement does not have to happen all at once, but can be gradual.

You lot may see toddler formulas on store shelves. These products are more expensive than milk, but they are not any more than nutritious and for the bulk of kids they are unnecessary.

If your child has a limited diet and/or won't drink milk, discuss this with their doctor to see if supplements are advisable, or if they tin can get the nutrients they demand from other foods, including other dairy products.

How to Make the Switch

At that place are several ways to accomplish this transition, and your child volition likely requite you stiff signals well-nigh what is working for them (and non). Some children respond positively if their caregivers merely change all of their cups or bottles to whole milk once they accomplish 12 months one-time. This method typically works for kids who quickly adapt to change.

You may want to try this arroyo to come across how your child responds. If it doesn't piece of work, or if you lot call back your kid may respond ameliorate to a more than gradual approach from the go-go, one of these strategies may help with the transition:

For a child who is a more cautious or express eater: A slower transition usually works improve. For case, you might supervene upon i canteen of formula with a cup of whole milk every few days or weeks. The commencement bottle in the morning and the last bottle of the 24-hour interval tin can be harder for children to requite up, so you might consider switching those out final, once your baby is drinking milk throughout the mean solar day.
If your baby refuses plain milk: You might start mixing formula and milk together. At first, just add a little milk (for instance, one ounce), so that your baby is mostly drinking formula. Every few days, add more milk and less formula in the bottles and then that your kid slowly gets used to the gustation. Eventually, you lot can transition to just having milk in the bottles or cups and no formula at all.

It can assistance to serve the milk at the aforementioned temperature that your child is used to for formula. Withal, if you plan to warm milk, never exercise and then in a microwave. This can create areas of intense estrus that tin can burn your child.

Making the transition from formula to milk requires you to make some changes in how yous think nearly feeding your kid as well. Two important points to go on in mind:

Unlike formula and chest milk in the beginning year, parents should think of milk as a drinkable, not a meal. Children ages 12 to 24 months should exist drinking xvi to 24 ounces of whole milk a day. A good share of their nutrition should come from solid foods in the toddler years.
As a child eats more solid nutrient, peculiarly if this includes dairy, some of the milk can be replaced with water. (Juice and sweetened or non-nutritive beverages are not recommended.) Your pediatrician tin can offer guidance on adjusting the ounces/day goal over time.

If Your Baby Has a Milk Allergy

If your baby has a milk protein allergy or intolerance, cow'due south milk may non exist a adept choice for them. Instead, soy milk can exist a good alternative, as it is close to moo-cow'south milk in terms of nutrition. In this case, you can as well consider a toddler formula specially designed for children with milk allergies.

Consult with your pediatrician to help choose a milk substitute that is both allergy-safe and offers your child proper diet.

If your child has not yet been diagnosed with an allergy, but yous suspect i, it's important to get them tested to confirm it or determine if something else might be going on. Know, too, that kids may outgrow or develop new allergies over time.

While some parents might simply adopt to use soy milk, almond milk, or other milk alternatives instead of cow'south milk, these products typically are lower in the fat and protein petty kids need. They should simply be used equally substitutes when needed and under the oversight of a healthcare professional person or dietitian.

When to Switch From Bottles to Cups

The AAP recommends introducing drinking from cups at effectually 6 months, and so many toddlers are already used to using them (either alone or in combination with bottles) when information technology comes time to transition to regular milk.

If your baby is still only using bottles, you might consider making the switch to whole milk and cups or sippy cups at the same time. Once more here, whether or not this is a proficient idea depends on your child.

If they roll with changes and enjoy a variety of foods, doing this may work just fine. If you think making both changes at in one case volition be stressful for your child, change to milk offset and and then gradually transition to cups later. Often, information technology can be fun for kids to practice with small open cups, whether they contain h2o or milk.

A Word From Verywell

If you lot switch your babe to moo-cow's milk and they refuse it, give it time every bit you try these suggestions. Consult their pediatrician if you are worried almost their nutritional intake. If needed, yous can accommodate a temporary dip in milk-drinking by adding other sources of calcium, like yogurt and cheese, into their diet.

Avoid trying to force them to drink milk. If it turns into a power struggle, they will probable exist fifty-fifty more resistant to drinking milk.

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Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts inside our articles. Read our editorial process to acquire more almost how we fact-cheque and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Riley LK, Rupert J, Boucher O. Nutrition in toddlers. Am Fam Physician. 2018;98(4):227-233.
Muth Due north. Recommended drinks for immature children ages 0-5. American University of Pediatrics.

Do Babies Poops Change When They Switch to Whole Milk?

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