Milk Strike

Infant Feeding

Health experts say the best source of nutrients for a baby is breast milk. Breastfeeding has benefits for the baby and for mom. For the baby, breast milk contains the right amount of nutrients to support the infant’s growth and development. For the mom, breast milk is readily available (no mixing formula or heating bottles). Breastfeeding also provides a close bond between mom and baby.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding until a baby is at least six months old. Women who don’t breastfeed can use iron-fortified infant formula. At about four to six months, many infants can be introduced to baby cereals. Other baby foods are slowly offered starting around six months.

Milk is an important source of nutrition for children as they grow older. It provides calcium, vitamin D and minerals needed by the body. Whole milk is recommended for most children until they reach two because most children need the extra fat and calories. After two, parents can switch to low-fat or nonfat milk.

Experts warn parents should avoid giving cow’s milk until a child reaches his/her first birthday. Tyrala says cow’s milk is a great source of nutrition for calves, but not for humans. A baby’s digestive system can’t handle the extra protein in cow’s milk. Adding it too early to a child’s diet can cause liver and kidney damage and increase the risk for an allergic reaction.


Transition Troubles

Most children take the change from breast milk or formula to cow’s milk in stride. But sometimes babies become very fussy and don’t want to accept cow’s milk. Occasionally, a baby will refuse to drink cow’s milk and go on a “milk strike.”

Eileen Tyrala, M.D., Pediatrician at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, says taste is probably the biggest obstacle for babies when parents try to transition to cow’s milk. Human milk and formulas are much sweeter than cow’s milk and there are differences in the thickness and temperature of the milks. For breastfed babies, the change to a bottle or cup can trigger a loss of bonding associated with breastfeeding.


Tyrala offers some tips for parents who are having trouble with infants on a “milk strike”:

•Offer cow’s milk in a sippy cup. This helps the baby make the association between the new drink and the different taste and texture.

•Go slowly. If the child is very resistant to the change, try just one serving of cow’s milk a day. Then gradually increase the number of servings of cow’s milk. It can take several days to two weeks for the child to reach the goal of drinking all cows’ milk.

•Dilute the familiar drink. Use three parts breast milk or formula to one part water. This will slightly alter the taste and texture of the “familiar” drink and, hopefully, enable the child to gradually accept a different drink (cow’s milk). Tyrala says it should only take a few days for a child to accept cow’s milk using this technique, so the temporary loss of calories won’t have any great affect on the infant.

•Add some low-sugar flavor. Tyrala doesn’t like the idea of adding sugar-laden flavorings to make cow’s milk as sweet as formula or breast milk. If taste appears to be an issue, she suggests adding powdered flavorings with less sugar.

•Try a substitute. Try an alternative to cow’s milk, like soy milk, rice milk or potato milk. Make sure these substitutes are pasteurized and are supplemented with calcium and vitamin D. If a child continues to refuse to drink cow’s milk, try yogurt, soft cheeses or calcium fortified orange juice.

If you have any specific questions or concerns about feeding your children, talk with your health care provider. For general information:

• American Academy of Pediatrics

• National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

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