| Since
I stopped breast feeding my son at 10 months he has been on 3, 9oz
bottles of formula milk a day. I have tried him with full fat milk
but he will not have it. He is 2 in Nov, when is the earliest I
can try him on semi skimmed and how much does he need now?
A
It is recommended that babies under two years should not be given
semi skimmed milk because it lacks the fat soluble vitamins A and
D that provide the energy young children need from the fat. I suggest
that you continue on the formula milk if he prefers that. Full fat
milk can be introduced now into his diet in other ways e.g. full
fat yogurts and in cooking, custards and cheese sauces. Semi skimmed
milk can be introduced gradually after he has reached two years.
When introducing something new it is best to offer a small amount
first and be relaxed and positive recognizing and praising him at
every step from first tasting it and then drinking a little to drinking
the small amount you offer him. It might take as long as eight days
when introducing something new for a child to accept it and begin
to cooperate. Persistence and consistency is the key. His milk requirements
are about one pint (500ml) per day which does not have to be in
drinks. It can be added to breakfast cereal, given in a yoghurt,
fromage frais, cheese sauce, custard or pieces of cheese. Other
sources of calcium are in vegetables such as broccoli. If your child
is eating other foods containing calcium, and enjoying a good mixed
diet then two cups of milk a day is adequate.
Developmentally he can now drink from a cup so offer him a cup at
meal times instead of the bottle. Start by offering a cup in the
middle of the day instead of the bottle, it may take some time for
him to accept the change but if you are consistent every day he
will soon accept the change. Once he has accepted the cup at one
feed start by removing the next bottle in the same way. Continue
to do this until he is drinking completely from a cup. Remember
to be positive and give lots of attention and praise for small steps
health visitor
back
to faq's - weaning |
