Diet & Nutrition: Linda Hsieh
My son will be one next week. My pediatrician says I can start him on whole milk. Do I just cut him off cold turkey from formula?
By Linda Hsieh
If your child has been on a cow milk-based formula and has been consuming other foods with a good appetite, there should not be any problems providing him regular milk right after his 1st birthday. However, if he has been on a soy based formula, you may want to introduce regular cow's milk gradually to your child to make sure he can tolerate the milk. For example, offer a half glass of milk in the morning (while still providing him with soy formula during the rest of the day) and watch for any signs of intolerance from the milk, such as gas or diarrhea. If your child tolerates the milk after a week, you may continue to increase the quantity of milk and reduce the quantity of soy formula.
Linda Hsieh
Diet & Nutrition
Linda G. Hsieh is a practicing registered dietitian with over
six years experience in clinical practice. Focusing on
prenatal and pediatric nutrition, she has worked as a
nutrition educator for over nine years.
