Starting whole milk at WDW

[mrsabbott]

Just wanted to say that in the parks at most places they only have 2 percent milk, not whole milk. Wasn't a problem for us to switch when we took our 21 month old but he had been on whole milk for a long time too.

Good luck!

With my girls, I was told to switch them to 2% milk when they turned 1. My son was the first time I was told Whole milk the 1st year and then switch to 2% after he turns 2. My son will drink any kind of milk whether it's whole or skim.. He loves it!

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Can you let me in on these formula tubes and packets?! Are they easier than taking a can of formula with me?

I made all his food at home and would buy the meat type pouches (Ella's Kitchen) to get some meat into his diet. Did he learn how to squeeze the pouch by himself? I was going to bring some pouches with me anyway, just in case, but maybe I should give him the pouch and see what he does with it.

Enfamil makes the packets in a few different types of their formulas. They're kind of like a crystal light packet but larger. You mix each packet with 4 oz of water. They're more expensive than the regular cans of formula, but I figured the convenience was worth it for the trip. I found them at Walgreens. I used those divided formula containers (where you pre measure the canned formula) in the diaper bag when we'd go out at home. I just thought the packets would make for one less thing to wash/worry about on vacation.

With the fruit pouches, I would pack a couple in my diaper bag at home so he was already used to them. I started by holding them for him and squeezing some into his mouth. When I tried letting him hold it he figured out how to suck it out by himself. The pouches were just great on vacation though. We wore him in the Ergo for most of the trip, so giving him a pouch to keep him happy while we were waiting in line was a breeze. If we sat down to have a snack he couldn't have we would give him a pouch. That way he wasn't upset, but he was still eating something good for him.

 

[Nixie]

I would NOT start transitioning to milk during a vacation. So many things are gonna get upset by the vacation like sleeping patterns, eating patterns, etc. This will be stressful enough on your little one without trying to throw a whole new food experience in there. Wait until you get back home.

 

[CourtneyL]

You can either pre-measure the powdered formula into a formula dispenser (the Munchkin brand one works well), or you can get the ready made bottles. My DD was on Similac and the last time we traveled with formula we just used the pre-made bottles (you can get nipples that attach to them, its the standard narrow-mouth bottle size).

FWIW, she was on formula until 14 months because she never took to milk.

 

[Lisa71]

Our kids were both on formula until about 14 months due to travel and the MD said flat out the transition is arbitrary and that cows milk is for cows so go slow. His kids were on breast milk and formula longer. His advice was not before one and start with one bottle at a time. DS has CP so his impaired swallow kept him on bottles longer.

 

[Colleen27]

Honestly I would continue with formula and make the transition after vacation. I would just find it too stressful to mess with a diet while on vacation. Nothing magically happens to Baby's digestive system the day after the birthday.

This! One of my three had a terrible reaction to whole milk (actually all uncultured, full-fat dairy products). Nothing serious or life threatening, fortunately, but she vomited violently every time she was given whole milk. It was bad enough when, before we figured out the 'trigger', she had incidents in the car. It would be absolutely terrible on vacation!

Buy the individually portioned formula packets, and put off the transition to milk until you're at home. If you don't have problems you're only out the small expense of those few extra days/weeks of formula, and if you do you'll be glad you're at home with his whole wardrobe, a washing machine, comforting/familiar surroundings, and if necessary, your pediatrician to help you figure things out.

 

[bumbershoot]

Our kids were both on formula until about 14 months due to travel and the MD said flat out the transition is arbitrary and that cows milk is for cows so go slow. His kids were on breast milk and formula longer. His advice was not before one and start with one bottle at a time.

Fabulous!

Breastmilk is nutritious for many many years (it keeps changing based on the child's needs, it's AMAZING), and formula is an attempt to copy breastmilk. Therefore, if that's what the child is having, it would be good for years as well. And yep, the milk we switch to is for baby cows, and there's actually absolutely NO point whatsoever for humans to ever drink it. The nutrition we feel we get from it is added to it. The calcium in it is lost entirely because it takes more calcium from a human's body to digest it than it has in it (which is why osteoporosis rates have continued to rise as the milk campaigns continue). Cows milk is 100% not necessary (nor goat milk etc) for humans.

So there's no need to switch to it at all. And no need to do it at WDW.

I like your ped, Lisa. Finally an MD that makes sense.

 

[tvguy]

With my girls, I was told to switch them to 2% milk when they turned 1. My son was the first time I was told Whole milk the 1st year and then switch to 2% after he turns 2. My son will drink any kind of milk whether it's whole or skim.. He loves it!

My kids doctor said whole milk until 1, 2% until 2, non-fat for the rest of their life. Chuckled when MY doctor scolded me for drinking 1%, and he said nobody needs anything but non-fat from age 2 on!

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

I agree, for the few days wait until after the trip. You just don't know how the digestive situation will tolerate either.

 

[Leshaface]

Just wanted to thank everyone again for all their suggestions and input.

I'm going to wait until we get back from our trip, to give him cows milk indefinitely. DH it totally against this idea (mostly cause he wants him to grow up faster ) but I'm pretty sure i'll win this one.

Tvguy - I prefer non-fat milk to % milk anyday! I had no idea that DR's prefer us to drink Non-fat milk. This is interesting.

 

[sweetdana]

Fabulous!

Breastmilk is nutritious for many many years (it keeps changing based on the child's needs, it's AMAZING), and formula is an attempt to copy breastmilk. Therefore, if that's what the child is having, it would be good for years as well. And yep, the milk we switch to is for baby cows, and there's actually absolutely NO point whatsoever for humans to ever drink it. The nutrition we feel we get from it is added to it. The calcium in it is lost entirely because it takes more calcium from a human's body to digest it than it has in it (which is why osteoporosis rates have continued to rise as the milk campaigns continue). Cows milk is 100% not necessary (nor goat milk etc) for humans.

So there's no need to switch to it at all. And no need to do it at WDW.

I like your ped, Lisa. Finally an MD that makes sense.

? Milk has no value to a 1 yr old? Please check with your doctor about this.

Milk is full if calories and vitamins and is very appropriate for children over 1.

Also milk has been given to children for hundreds if years, and osteoporosis has significantly risen at higher levels than milk consumption.

In regards to switching, I tried without success to switch my dd1 to cows milk twice then almond then soy milk all with problems. I finally was successful with rice milk, but not until about 15 /16 m. Before she was off formula. She took formula with no trouble, and had no reason to think milk would have been a problem.

 

[dhardawa]

? Milk has no value to a 1 yr old? Please check with your doctor about this.

Milk is full if calories and vitamins and is very appropriate for children over 1.

Also milk has been given to children for hundreds if years, and osteoporosis has significantly risen at higher levels than milk consumption.

In regards to switching, I tried without success to switch my dd1 to cows milk twice then almond then soy milk all with problems. I finally was successful with rice milk, but not until about 15 /16 m. Before she was off formula. She took formula with no trouble, and had no reason to think milk would have been a problem.

I've been told by many pediatricians that milk is not something a child (including a 1 year old) needs. There are many other ways for them to get the vitamins and calcium in their diets.

 

[ahsquared]

? Milk has no value to a 1 yr old? Please check with your doctor about this.

Milk is full if calories and vitamins and is very appropriate for children over 1.

Also milk has been given to children for hundreds if years, and osteoporosis has significantly risen at higher levels than milk consumption.

In regards to switching, I tried without success to switch my dd1 to cows milk twice then almond then soy milk all with problems. I finally was successful with rice milk, but not until about 15 /16 m. Before she was off formula. She took formula with no trouble, and had no reason to think milk would have been a problem.

Children need human milk which is why breastfeeding is recommended a minimum of two years. When you choose to wean early (anything before two years) then you must supplement with something and cows milk (while imperfect) is the selected supplement. My kids nurse the recommended 2 years so milk is unnecessary and isn't something we drink a lot of.