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Home › Articles › Weaning › Making the Switch

Making the Switch

Introducing Milk to Your Baby

By Gina Roberts-Grey

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Because of the beneficial antibodies found in a mother's milk, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a baby be fed either breastmilk or formula for the entire first year. There are also many studies supporting the AAP's recommendations that suggest introducing a child to milk too early might increase the risk of a baby developing an intolerance to cow's milk. Some health professionals also caution that early introduction to cow's milk may put a child with a family history at a greater risk for developing diabetes or anemia.

Dr. Levy says that in rare situations, a mother's health or medical condition may also warrant switching to formula or milk. "A mother may contract strep throat or require a radioactive scan," he adds, identifying a few of these unusual circumstances.

The Emotional Aspects
In addition to the health benefits, nursing has an emotional impact on both Mother and Child. Creating an indivisible bond, babies become very dependent on the personal nurturing and snuggling that takes place during feedings.

Interestingly, many parents share those feelings of dependency with their young children. "I felt empowered when I nursed my children," says Donna Stone, a mother of four from New Berlin, Wis. "I also didn't feel as sleep deprived when I was nursing as when I switched to formula and bottles." Not looking forward to warming bottles in the middle of the night, having bottles tosterilize and the added expense of buying formula, Stone pushed weaning off longer with each of her children.


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