i know someone who has a 3 month old baby and she's already giving her regular milk and baby food. she started feeding her baby food when she was 2 months and has been giving her regular milk since right before she turned 3 months.

what are your thoughts on this?

I'd say "Wow - did you talk to the pediatrician about the effects of taking such a young baby off of formula (or breastmilk)? I've heard some crazy things about that..."

Not accusational, but to bring to her attention that it doesn't feel like the right thing to do for a 3 month old. She honestly might not know any better.

its too early.. IMO.. I believe that would cause major stomach problems later in life.

Did her Dr tell her to do this or did she decide to do it on her own???

she doesn't give the baby regular milk all the time, only when she's low or out of formula.

still think that she is setting her child up for major tummy issues later in life.. not a good idea.. IMO

My thoughts are she is way to young for regular milk. If I remember correctly (forgive me brain isn't working yet :lol) the baby's stomach isn't ready for regular milk at that age. I think it has to do with the lining of it.

Now baby food, there could reasons why. I started giving Johnny baby food at 3 months because he had such problems with projectile vomiting that his ped. said to try it and see if it would help. It did so we kept doing it.

Wow I think that is early... I start my ODD on regular milk when she turn 1 years old and I'm doing the same for my YDD

Wow that is just way too young. Regular milk could really mess that poor baby up.

This from the babycenter website.


There are several reasons to delay the introduction of cow's milk until your baby reaches his first birthday. Most important, a baby's digestive system can't digest cow's milk proteins. Cow's milk also has too much sodium, potassium, and chloride, which can tax your baby's kidneys.

Even if his system could handle it, cow's milk doesn't have all the vitamins (http://www.babycenter.com/search/showResultsForContent.htm?queryString=vitamins+switching+to+milk+milk+starting+milk+when+to+introduce+milk) and minerals (especially vitamin E, zinc, and iron) that he needs for growth and development in his first year. Giving a baby cow's milk could even cause iron deficiency and internal bleeding (http://www.babycenter.com/search/showResultsForContent.htm?queryString=bleeding+switching+to+milk+milk+starting+milk+when+to+introduce+milk). And it can increase his risk of an allergic reaction.

Once your baby's digestive system is ready to digest it, though, milk becomes a powerful ally. A great source of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, and magnesium, milk will build your toddler's bones and teeth and help his body regulate his blood coagulation and muscle control. Almost all milk is fortified with vitamin D, which helps the body absorb the calcium it needs.

Milk also provides protein for growth, as well as carbohydrates, which will give your child the energy he needs to toddle all day! And if your child gets enough calcium from the get-go, there's evidence that he'll have a lower risk of high blood pressure, stroke, colon cancer, and hip fractures later in life.

I googled it and this is what I found. It is not good for the baby.
Infants fed whole cow's milk receive inadequate amounts of Vitamin E, iron, and essential fatty acids. They also receiveexcessive amounts of protein, sodium, and potassium. These levels may be too high for the infant's system to handle. Additionally, whole cow's milk protein and fat are more difficult for an infant to digest and absorb

I agree with everyone else it is way to early! That is really going to mess up that babies stomach along with other things. Babies can't break cows milk down right. Can you imagine the tummy ache that poor baby has when she does that? As far as food. Everyones views on that are different. I don't think she should till about 5 or 6 months. But I have fed my babies rice ceral at 3 months because my oldest had a problem with spitting up.

I think she is an idiot and not very informed

I think she is an idiot and not very informed

:yes That is so dangerous to give regular milk. :duh

Baby food is a different thing. I hope she isnt ONLY feeding her child baby food, because you are suppose to "introduce" them to it, not have it be the only means of nutrition at this age.

The milk is an issue IF it gives the baby troubles that she's ignoring. If she's only supplementing when out of formula, it's not going to have that bad of an adverse effect. If she were solely giving the baby whole milk, I'd say there was need for someone to say, or do something.

As far as the baby food, my wee one (5 mths) has been getting one meal a day of rice cereal and a veggie or fruit since she was three months old b/c she was hungry. Every baby is different.

Does she have WIC?
I agree that giving a baby reg. cow's milk at that age is not a good idea. Like the PP's confirmed with articles- explain that it could damage her kidneys, there are not enough vitamins in it, she could also develop a cow's milk allergy from doing that (not listed, but it can happen). Cow's milk products like yogurt, shouldn't even be introduced until the baby is at LEAST 6 months old.
I hope your friend listens. If she runs out of formula is it because she has no money, or can't get to the store? Either way, she should be budgeting and making the time to get that baby what she needs 1st. Above and beyond anything else, that baby is more dependent on her for love and life than anyone else. The baby comes 1st and she needs to be reminded of that.

I could see the baby food, if the ped. said it was ok.. usually they want the baby to double birth weight before they recommend food.

Regular milk, no way. Formula or Breastmilk is what is recommended for the WHOLE FIRST YEAR!

yes, she gets wic but according to her the baby drinks way to much formula and that's why they run out and that's why she put her on baby food.
i've tried talking to her about it but she takes it as me acting like a know it all and just keeps doing what she wants.

I gave my kids cereal early but not milk. Anything I have been told about baby's under 1 and milk is bad.

My thoughts are, it's her baby can she do what she wants.

I hope she know's the risks and made an informed decision :yes

we gave our daughter rice cereal at around that age but not baby food until she was 5 months and we wouldn't let her touch cow's milk until she was 11 months.

I agree, it's her baby and if this is what she wants then so be it. I just wanted to get everyone's opinion on it.

we gave our daughter rice cereal at around that age but not baby food until she was 5 months and we wouldn't let her touch cow's milk until she was 11 months.

I agree, it's her baby and if this is what she wants then so be it. I just wanted to get everyone's opinion on it.

My kids didn't get milk until they where over a year and even then it was watered down until they got used to it.

But to each their own I guess :dunno

My kids didn't get milk until they where over a year and even then it was watered down until they got used to it.

But to each their own I guess :dunno

she was just a few weeks from being a year and we figured that it wouldn't hurt her and it didn't, but your right, to each their own.:)

It's not good for thier system at all. She's very ignorant imo.