Answering Your Questions On Introducing Your Baby To Cow's Milk

Did you know June 1st marks World Milk Day? Twenty years ago, the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations created World Milk Day to recognize the importance of milk as a global food source. Every year since the organization has focused this day on sharing the benefits of milk and dairy products. If you want to learn more about this awareness day, this year's theme is all about sustainability in the dairy sector, which we love to see.

But we're not here to talk about dairy sustainability (there are other experts much better suited to that important topic!). Instead, we want to talk about something that's likely weighing on the mind of new mamas in our community: how to introduce your baby to cow's milk. With the rise in dairy allergies and intolerances, as well as the increasing popularity of vegan and plant-based diets, we know that not everyone consumes animal-based products. So before compiling this post, we reached out to our IG fam to see if transitioning baby to cow's milk was a topic of interest. And turns out, it was!

After polling our community, we learned that 85% of your little ones consume dairy products, and almost 75% of you are planning to transition baby to cow's milk. Weaning your baby off of breastmilk and/or formula and into more traditional foods (including cow's milk) can come with a lot of questions and stress.

So today, we want to break down some of the top questions we've received as it relates to transitioning baby to cow's milk, in case that's something you're getting ready to do.

When should I start introducing my baby to cow's milk?

Experts recommend that infants do not consume any cow's milk before 12 months of age. This is because their digestive system is still developing, and before 1 year of age they aren't easily able to digest cow's milk (as compared to breastmilk or formula). The proteins and nutrients in cow's milk are too much for your baby's kidneys and digestive tract to process in that first year of life, and consuming cow's milk earlier than this time can lead to dehydration and some occult (unseen) bleeding in stools.

What type of cow's milk is best for my baby?

After the 12 month mark, it's generally considered safe to introduce your baby to either whole milk or 2% milk. As with any introduction to solid foods, it's best to discuss this with your pediatrician ahead of time to understand what's best for your baby's particular situation.

Non-fat milk and skim milk (1%), on the other hand, are best avoided for your little one at this age. These low-fat varieties generally have a higher concentration of proteins and nutrients that can stress your baby's developing digestive system. If you are particularly interested in transitioning your child to lower-fat milk over time, this is a conversation to have with your child's doctor, but generally, that switch isn't recommended until after your baby is 2 years old.

Does my little one actually need milk in their diet?

For so many millennials mamas, milk was a staple of our own childhood diets. At the time, experts led our parents to believe that milk was critical to healthy bone development and growth through the adolescent years, and our school cafeterias always had milk in high supply. But the narrative has changed slightly, and it has left many mothers wondering, "does my child actually need milk in their diet to thrive?". Well, cow's milk does offer a simple and straightforward source of critical vitamins and nutrients, including calcium, Vitamin D, protein, potassium, and B vitamins.

These nutrients can be harder to get in adequate amounts from other food sources (especially in infant and toddler diets that can be less varied), and that's why milk is still recommended in toddler and child diets. However, some children may be allergic to cow's milk, or have difficulty digesting it, or might just not like the taste -- and in those cases, dairy milk alternatives offer a good solution and your baby should not be set back by not consuming milk.

We do want to mention a large study that was conducted several years ago and found that children who drank non-cow's milk were shorter than children who drank cow's milk. This study is still referenced across many health sites and has led many parents to feel as though dairy-alternative milk could be a detriment to their baby's growth. However, it is important to understand that this study did have significant limitations, as their sample size for non-cow's milk drinkers was very small compared to the cow's milk group, so the robustness of the study is in question. Research on the long-term effects of non-dairy milk on children's growth and development is still ongoing.

Are nut-based or dairy-alternative milk safe for my baby?

It's important to read the answer to the previous question (in case you skimmed it the first time) in order to give greater context to this question! If you do want to introduce your baby to non-dairy milk (such as almond, pea, or oat), we recommend involving your pediatrician in the conversation as well.

Dairy-alternative milk can contain a lower concentration of protein and vitamins and sometimes a higher amount of sugar when compared to cow's milk, so it is important to be aware of that and look for options that are fortified with Vitamin D and calcium. Many parents incorporate dairy-alternative milk successfully into their babies' diets, but again this is going to be unique to you and your baby.

How will I know if my baby has a milk allergy?

There are a few different types of intolerances and allergies that can be related to dairy products and cow's milk, and we recommend reading our recent post on 4 Common Food Allergies in Babies for more on that! Cow's milk allergies are more common in young children and babies compared to adults, and it is an allergy that many children outgrow by age 3. It is important to know that this particular allergy is more common when babies younger than 6 months are exposed to cow's milk protein, which is another reason why it's good to wait for that 1 year mark to make the transition.

When it comes to food allergies, there are two main types to be aware of: IgE and non-IgE, and they manifest very differently. Cow's milk allergies that are IgE types are usually more serious and come with symptoms such as hives, rashes, vomiting, and possibly even difficulty breathing due to anaphylaxis.

A non-IgE type of cow's milk allergy can be more difficult to diagnose, as a blood test can’t confirm it. In general, symptoms are associated more with digestive upsets such as constipation, diarrhea, and vomiting. If you notice any of these symptoms in your little one after they consume cow's milk (or any food in particular), be sure to note it down and discuss it with your pediatrician right away.

If you have more questions about transitioning your baby to cow's milk or introducing them to solids in general, let us know in the comments below! We'll work with our team of experts to bring you the answers you need.