I was just talking to a friend on the phone and she watched her SIL's kids today. She was telling me earlier that her nephew had turned into a crier and he had never been like that before...and that he was driving her crazy...so she'd call me back later this evening. I just got off the phone with her. She told me that the baby is 9 mos. old and that her SIL took him off of formula at 8 mos. and put him on TWO PERCENT MILK !!!!! While she had him, she was watching another baby too...so she made him a bottle of formula (borrowed it from the other baby). He gulped it down and immediately zonked out in the floor and didn't cry again. I have NEVER heard of pulling a baby off of formula at 8 mos. to put them on 2% milk...that baby must be starving, hence the new constant crying. I am so shocked that she took her baby off of formula...has anyone EVER heard of anyone doing this?? And TWO PERCENT MILK???? They insist on whole milk for the first few months after they're transitioned to regular milk.....do they not???

Both my kids had formula until they were one. I do know that sometimes kids develop problems and have to be taken off earlier. But you are supposed to supplement with some kind of food. 2% milk does not fill you up!!!

Both of my pediatricians advised me the same:

breastmilk or formula for the first year
whole milk until they are 2 ~ if you are not continuing to breastfeed

We had put Ty (13 months then) on 2% milk with his brother (3) and the pediatrician said that up until age 2, babies need the extra fat to help their brains develop. So needless to say we IMMEDIATELY put him back on whole milk at his 16 month check up!!!


To be honest, I think you hit the nail on the head: the kid is STARVING and that is abundantly clear by how he reacted to taking his bottle of formula and not crying for more afterward!

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Well, with my oldest 3 kids we had them on whole milk at 6 months. That's what the dr used to tell you to do. When ds #4 came along and we questioned the dr about it she told us that the nutrition beliefs had changed. So our next 4 kids had formula until age 1 (give or take a few weeks). Children should not have skim or 2% until they are over 2. Their little bodies need the extra fat.

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I knew that they used to switch them to whole milk at 6 mos...that's what my Mom did with us...but two percent milk!? THAT is what I'M worried about for the little guy...

I always heard what everyone else is saying ....

my daughters peditrican told us ... breast milk or formula until age 1.
Age 1 - age 2 = whole milk
age 2 - 2 % milk

that breaks my heart .... poor little guy!! Is there anyway the sil could say something to the mom?

Yikes. I would definitely say something about that. My understanding has always been that babies need breastmilk or formula until age one because it has calories and nutrients in it that milk alone just doesn't have. My pediatrician also recommends whole milk until age 2 because they need the fat for brain development.

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Stephanie
Mom to: Caleb (8/03), Ian (9/05), & Baby Boy #3 (EDD 11-9-2008)

Unfortunately, that relationship isn't very good anyway. The SIL is sort of a "user" and is only nice to my friend when she needs something (like a babysitter!!). I had no words of advice for her at all.

Infant formula is intended for the first 9-12 months of life. It can provide the sole source of nutrition for the first 6 months. Most babies begin some solid foods around 6 months of age, and infant formula continues to provide a major source of nutrition.
When can I give my baby regular milk?
Regular, whole cow's milk should not be given to babies before 12 months of age. This is due to increased risks such as iron deficiency anemia and allergies. Skim or low-fat milk should not be given to babies before they are 2 years old because the fat in whole milk is needed for rapid brain growth.

This is taken from the American Pediatric Association...I have it in one of the child rearing books I got as a baby gift a few years ago, and then I googled it! That baby is not only starving...he is being deprived of what he needs to develop properly..and this can lead to lifelong problems. If they can't afford it, there are a lot of organizations out there who can help them. He needs to be put back on...and immediately.

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My ds went on WHOLE milk at 6 months per his ped. He would not take formula at all anymore, and was literally starving. I had to give him 1 dropper a day of poly vi sol. Never would I have put him on 2% milk though! He is now 2 1/2 and weight 43-45lbs and 3ft 2 in tall. He's in a 4-5t too.

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