Wholesome Baby Food under this link select the topic Why should I wait until after 12 months to introduce Milk as a drink?
Recently in my sustainability class this topic came up for a variety of reasons.
Although I am not a fan of Dairy and babies or infants or kids or anyone for that matter drinking dairy the links above list some great reasons to wait until babies first birthday. Both dairy and/or soy really should wait until 12 months only as an addition not a replacement for breast milk or formula. Plus if you are adding milk (whole, 2%, 1% or non-fat, or soy) it really should be a sippy cup or cup not part of the bottle. Bottles really need to be reserved for breast milk or formula.
The reason for waiting is that Dairy (soy doesn't fall in this problem) hinders and prevents the absorption of Iron and even far harder to digest making very unhappy babies. Generally they start to cry more, constipation can happen and even allergies can arise. Not to mention milk in no way has all the nutrients required for growing babies. Now I am not talking about foods with dairy in it because that is a cooked item, not straight dairy in a bottle or sippy.
Dairy before the baby is ready can cause Iron deficient Anemia for reasons I already stated above. As much as I would love to tell you not to give you babies and kids dairy at all. That is not my place it is a personal preference what we give our kids. The web sites listed above however give some great advice on this topic and many others. As we all know our babies didn't come with a manual, even though we acquire a lot of advice from many people. Sometimes some research is good too.
In the end you have to do what your gut instinct tells you to do. You know your baby best. Me and pediatricians agree breast is best! It is liquid gold! I had happened to breastfeed my son until his 3rd birthday. I could have easily gone on much longer but he really only was nursing to go to bed or nap. It may not always be convenient but it is right there ready to go pre-made with all its yummy goodness!
With Love,
Deanne
If you are unable to breastfeed try.....
Sensitive to dairy, here are options....
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