[Stormster]

DS is 11.5 months. Want to get him off formula in prep. for trip to England at 11 months 3 weeks. Started 2/3 Formula and 1/3 Milk at 11 months and today trying the reverse ...so far his tummy seems ok though it's hard to say since he's had Coxsackie.

At what age did you put your child on milk?
Were there any tummy reactions? If so what were they?
He's on a toddler formula now since he was on a very rich anti-reflux formula until 9 months.
Has anyone kept their child on toddler formula?

I guess I want to know if I'm rushing things just for convenience. Again the doc said OK but my Mom Alarm is going off for some reason. I'm worried about nutrients and also just is he ready for milk or should I wait. He's never had problems with new foods we introduce and I think he has good digestion.

I also plan on starting some kind of Iron supplement for when he's on milk. Did or do you use a supplement and if so what kind.

Thank you!

[Fran27]

There's a lot of doctors who actually make the switch at 9 months now. He'll be fine. Just make sure he gets balanced meals to make up for it And enjoy the money you're saving!!!

[Cjmeck]

I think I remember doing the same thing when my son was @11.5-12 months (gradually transitioning). I never did toddler formula; our ped just said to switch to whole milk at 12 months. You're doing the right thing by taking it slow. I don't recall giving any sort of a supplement either; just kept up with the baby cereal for awhile (you can get the kind that has DHA in it for added nutrients). Oh, and we had no tummy issues at all since we did the gradual mixing thing like you. And, my son always was (still is) in the 75-90th percentile for height/weight (well, I think that's down to 50th now) and a very healthy kid (knock wood!).
I have a question for you now! Your son was on Enfamil AR, right? I have Savannah on it now for reflux but mixing it is driving me insane and I'm thinking about getting her back on a normal formula. How did that switch go for your son? She's eating cereal and fruits/veggies twice a day. She's still spitting up frequently but not enormous amounts; and she's 6.5 months. Thanks!

[Stormster]

Thanks Fran. Re the expense DH keeps saying HE'S FINE HE'S FINE (LOL) He can't wait until we save that money cheap brit.

CJ how are you mixing it? for me it was the same as any powdered formula. I just had a routine with the trust old electric kettle and the Dr. Browns and shake shake. Oh and #3 nipples.

I think S's age is fine. E didn't even notice. If you change to something else you're going to have to buy new nipples probably because eveything else (esp. toddler formula) is very watery and just flows right out.

I'd love to get a great food thread going.

[nikkianni]

DD had acid reflux something fierce so when it came time to switch to whole milk at 11 mos. I was really worried.
We decided to give her a sip from a cup just to see what she would do. She just about ripped the cup out of DH's hands and she's been on whole milk ever since. We never even did the mix formula and milk thing.

[Cjmeck]

Originally Posted by Stormster

Thanks Fran. Re the expense DH keeps saying HE'S FINE HE'S FINE (LOL) He can't wait until we save that money cheap brit.

CJ how are you mixing it? for me it was the same as any powdered formula. I just had a routine with the trust old electric kettle and the Dr. Browns and shake shake. Oh and #3 nipples.

I think S's age is fine. E didn't even notice. If you change to something else you're going to have to buy new nipples probably because eveything else (esp. toddler formula) is very watery and just flows right out.

I'd love to get a great food thread going.

Storm, we're using cool water, adding 3 scoops (she gets 6oz bottles) and then shaking like hell. But still, we gets these clumps that clog the nipples (#3)CONSTANTLY. I started mixing it in the blender but that just makes it really foamy, although no clumps. Sorry to hijack your thread for my own issues! lol

[chrisandaaron]

I just switched cold turkey and both my boys did fine. No problems

[Stormster]

No no i love talking about this stuff It's the cool water....we always used warm or room temp. and are you putting in the water first or the formula? You have to put the water in first.

I also had the advantage of Dr. Browns contraption straining the stuff.

If you do all that and it's still not working I would still think twice if she's still spitting up. E hadn't spit up in many months before we took him off AR.

[BrandyHagz]

I also switched cold turkey and had no problems.

My son was just under a year old...

[mondk]

Storm: We switched Joshie right about 11 mos. He got the toddler transition formula that Enfamil makes starting about 9 mos. or so. We did it cold turkey, although I bought a small can of the powdered Enfamil transitioning formula to go with us in the diaper bag with a bottle of water. I was too afraid to try to keep the whole milk cool and it getting yucky when we are out and about. So he gets formula when it's time when on outings and stuff.

Iron supplement: Enfamil makes "Poly-Vi-Sol" which is liquid vitamin drops...Joshie gets a dropperful daily with his nightly meal...I just mix it in with his cereal or whatever he is having.

Our next peds appt. is the 23rd...I just plan on running all this by him but at his last appt. around 9 mos. they said the transition formula was okay. I'm sure we'll have no problems.

Can you believe that your little boy is almost a year? Time really flies eh?

Blessings, Michelle

[Stormster]

yes Michelle we are right behind you! Everything you said sounds perfect for us including the idea of using the formula when you're out and about (esp. in summer!) You know my favorite teacher of all time (11th grade English) was Mrs. Mond. Your user name always makes me think of her!

[babycav]

My little guy was on soy formula until he was about 13 months- I started him on 2% b/c that's what I had in the fridge to eat w/ my cereal ( I am not a milk fan) and then we went to whole about a month later- He cannot get enough of it- And it may just be coincidence but he has had a very sudden growth spurt this Summer-- we went to the beach for the 4th of July & when we got back the ladies at his school could not believe how big he had gotten!

[twins97]

This has been many years ago but as my eleven year old still suffers from reflux and can't tolerate lactose at all, I'd suggest watching the whole milk tolerance closely, we perservered too long and what we thought was transition tummy troubles was actually lactose intolerance. If I had it to do all over again I would have put her straight onto lacto free milk, which she still drinks today, and tried to transition her from that to whole milk when she was old enough to tell me if her stomach hurt all the time (and saved myself and her a lot of grief.) Also, and this really dates me, cream of wheat is an excellent source of iron and used to be a suggested staple food for tots after they left baby cereal behind, I couldn't stand it but the kids loved it. Ate it nearly everyday!

[Stormster]

I love Cream of Wheat!

DS is a little belchy and his stools are hard but I don't think he's lactose intolerant at all. I think it's just the change over...

I'm just curious, what are the symtoms?

[shy_bear]

I wish we had such luck!! A. can not take whole milk; just 2oz of it made his eczema flare big time. So we have tried goat's milk which he does not like and we are now on the soy follow up forumla. He will take it, but not very well. We also stopped the bottle this week. I am thinking it was not a good move; he is barely drinking 12oz a day and his poop has been really hard from not having enough fluids. Hubby says we need to hold out and when he is thirsty he will drink....