i hv read a lot about formula milk on this board...but my family is bit negative about it...i starteed giving my daughter cow milk since 2.5 months....is it worht ...should i start with formula milk...which one is the best ....
i hv never been to any pedtn also ..coz my family as well as in laws dont believe in vistiting any doc...whatever i hv learnt thru books n friends....n thru this board...can anyon1 help
is it too late to start with formula milk...my daughter is 9 months....
prao replied. Gauri

Relax dear.. I want to tell u a few things..

first abt Formula.. it is true that infants shuld be given formula and not cows milk. But u have already been giving her cows milk and nothing can be done abt it now. I guess her general health has also been fine so it' s ok.. dont worry abt it now

Switching to formula now at 9 months is not necessary. Doctors in India advice us to get the babies used to cows milk from 10 months onwards.. your little on is almost there... and she may not accept formula at this stage.. it has a funny taste.. she will fuss abt it.. your in-laws will say she dosent like it and all that.. no need to get into all that now

Abt the docs visit.. I can understand what u r going thru.. my in-laws also dont believe in docs.. we stay in diff cities, inspite of that I have had to listen to a lot abt my regular check ups during pregnancy and my babies monthly paed visits. I ignored all this.. I know it' s a lot more difficult for u staying together. But these r important gauri. I suggest u convince your husband that your baby needs regular checkups and have him tell your in-laws. They may not be convinced but will complain less if he tells them. Also go to the doc with your husband, not mil.. good luck gauri replied. i know what eveery1 is saying is right ...n im not taking any tension...only thing this is my first baby ...n u tend to get senti ..u want to gv her the best.. so when i read about this formula milk thing i too started thinking about it...thats it...

lets see what i can do...??? aks replied. hey gauri - Just relax what everyone is saying is correct but dont panic or get upset. U jst need to take a stand and coneby it to ur family...mite be diff for u given ur family and other situation but u have to do it for ur baby. Relax Cool down think and take a stand and tell them calmly. If need be (and financially viable) quit ur work to take care of the baby. All the best. God bless. X2 replied. ok. If your in-laws don' t agree talk to your husband.

Google on \" cow' s milk for babies\" and read the articles you find. Take a printout and give it to your hubby. Try to convince him that doctors know better and after all it is yr child' s health that is at stake. Does he really want to take a risk with it?

Here' s what I found in the very first link -
\" In 1992, the American Academy of Pediatricians released their statement regarding the use of whole cow' s milk during infancy. The findings were published in \" Pediatrics\" volume 89, number 6 in June of 1992.

Plainly stated, the Academy recommended that whole cow' s milk and low-iron formulas not be used during the first year of life.

Infants fed whole cow' s milk receive inadequate amounts of Vitamin E, iron, and essential fatty acids. They also receive excessive amounts of protein, sodium, and potassium. These levels may be too high for the infant' s system to handle. Additionally, whole cow' s milk protein and fat are more difficult for an infant to digest and absorb.

The most dramatic effects are on iron levels in the body. Infants fed breast milk or iron fortified formula have normal iron levels. Recent studies show infants often have depleted levels when started on cow' s milk at six months of age.

Optimal nutrition in an infant involves selecting the appropriate milk source and eventually introducing the infant to solid foods. In achieving this goal, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants be fed breast milk or iron-fortified formula during the first twelve months of life. Between the ages of four to six months, appropriate solid foods may be added. Taking breast milk or iron-fortified formula, along with the age-appropriate solid foods and juices during the first year of life, allows for more balanced nutrition.\"

The reason I' m giving this is that in your absence yr inlaws might give cow' s milk to yr baby and that will be harmful to her.

My sis in law used to give her baby Nan1 formula (from Nestle I think) in India. She was happy with it. You could try that.

Lastly, whether you live in a conservative or liberal family, you are still a mom whose #1 priority should be the welfare of her child...you are the adult here...and have to protect your child...

You say that yr inlaws take good care of yr baby - but this same \" good care\" involves not listening to the doctor and feeding her cow' s milk which is harmful to her health.

Your MIL is bull dozing you and you are going along with it...which is fine with me if it was just you...but playing with an infant' s health!! that is something which is hard to swallow...and all because you are finding it hard to stand up to your MIL!! gauri replied. i understand what u r trying to say...but i stay in conservative joint family.....that they are very nice...but i dont know how to tell u...they think they know better about raising a kid...they think ped are just to xtract money...n if i go to ped it will hurt their sentiments...which i hv alrady done once..my mil ended up advising doc n there was a clash...of ideas..its was a nightmare ....they r very nice ..my inlaws really take care of her nicely...but they re old fashioned...
so to avoid prob i dont go to ped anymore...we hv given her all vaccines not to worry but i dont consult them..for anything...else
if any1 can tell me i can start giving her formula milk now...i can do it..coz i make my daughters food in morning n come to work...i keep everything ready ..i can manage to give her formula milk..but only thing i cant go to doc....its just impossible... Kranti replied. Sorry Gauri...but what are you up to?
Do you know that giving 2.5 months old baby cow milk is so difficult to digest. Are you not able to produce enough breast milk? You can always use a breast pump and make it possible... Its a give and take relation. Till the baby womt suck your milk flow wont genreate.. and infant formula(milk.., lactogen In India, IN US There are many brands) contains iron and imp vitamins for the baby' s growth in case you are not able to breast him... Domt you vaccinate your baby? Which world do you stay in... Remember one thing this is your baby. THerez a huge generation gap in your inlaws and you... for the first year you need to take you baby to the pediat.. every month...If in india you can start the cows milk only after 4 months that too in small amounts depending how the baby is ready to accept... and if in US 1 year.. I am surprised which world do you stay in.. I am sorry if I was harsh but I was surprised to read your question X2 replied. Don' t you take yr baby for any vaccinations etc to the pediatrician?

And even if yr parents or in laws dont believe in it, it should be upto you to finally decide whther or not to take yr baby to a doctor!!

Because if you had gone to one, most probably he/she would have advised you against cow' s milk.

Here in the US, peds advise against cow' s milk for babies till they are 1 yr old. I dont remember the exact reasons, but you better check up on it.

Giving formula is better because it has all the nutrients a growing baby needs and is made specifically for a baby.

And no- its not too late to start with formula.

All the best... priya replied. hey nothing to worry if she is 9months u can carry on with cow milk but give her cerelac or nestum or something addition good luck