I went to the doctors for my DD.While I was there I asked if he could give me some lab work for the boys(to check iron levels)Some doctors do a 9mth check for iron levels on preemies.I've really had no concerns but thought I'd just ask.He said there was no concern and asked if they were eating ok. I said better now.I told him back in February they stopped drinking there bottles I could only get 13oz into them a day,to me thats not enough.I started using 3oz of formula and topping it up with 4oz of Homo milk.They love it and now I'm getting 24 to 28 oz into them.The md said it was b/c I was feeding them too much. So I just questioned him and said why would they drink 7oz mixed if they ate too much.He asked me what age I started my DD on whole milk I said 9ths b/c thats what my old family MD told me,and I've had no problems with her iron levels.He was right •••••• off.I told him the boys get iron fortified cereal twice a day and they eat a variety of foods.They all weigh around 18lbs as of now.I think he over re-acted.He tried giving me samples(of other brands) and said maybe I'm finding formula to expensive I said no that wasnt why.Sure its expensive but you do what you have to do.I said no thanx to the formula cause I wasnt changing them now.They had an allergy to the 1st one they were ever on and I didnt want to go through that again.I know everything out there is pro formula for the 1st yr but what happens when they dont like the taste anymore?Thx for letting me vent he just really •••••• me off making feel bad that I was giving them whole milk at 9mths.It wasnt fun struggling with 3 babies to drink there bottles.Meal times should be fun. Now they are.

By Colette on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 09:32 am:

If mum is happy and the babies are healthy and happy I wouldn't change a thing.

By Kate on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 09:35 am:

Nine years ago my pediatrician told me to begin my nine month old on two percent milk. He said no whole milk because she wasn't a baby cow. (and two percent does have a LOT of fat in it) So that's a pediatrician, saying to start at nine months, and to start two percent! I don't think you're doing anything wrong. And I totally agree that pleasant mealtimes and happy babies are more important.

By Crystal915 on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 10:24 am:

Get a new doc!!!!! You have special circumstances with your kids, being preemie triplets, and it sounds like this guy takes no consideration for that. Above all else, trust your mommy instinct... I often broke "rules" and disregarded doctor advice when my gut told me to. I do it for myself, and still do it for the kids, because just having a doctor's license doesn't make them omnipotent, and a doc with a poor bedside manner is worthless. ((((((Sherri)))))))

By Tayjar on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 10:25 am:

I introduced my DKs to 2% milk at this age. They didn't go off of formula completely until a year. But, they were also on table food entirely by 8 months and I gave them milk or formula as their ligquids.

I have always followed my instincts and used common sense with my children over any book or doctor. I know my kids better than they do. I don't agree with one size rules for all kids. It sounds like you are doing the right thing for your kids.

And, it's OK to change doctors if this one isn't respecting you as a mom.

By Heaventree on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 11:01 am:

I started Matthew on whole milk at 10 months, we had no problems.

By Feona on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 01:26 pm:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002448.htm

This is a medline article posted on a government website I believe.


Cow's milk for infants and children

Contents of this page:
Definition
Recommendations


Definition

In 1992, the American Academy of Pediatricians released their statement regarding the use of whole cow's milk during infancy. The findings were published in "Pediatrics" volume 89, number 6 in June of 1992. Plainly stated, the Academy recommended that whole cow's milk and low-iron formulas not be used during the first year of life.

Infants fed whole cow's milk receive inadequate amounts of Vitamin E, iron, and essential fatty acids. They also receive excessive 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.

The most dramatic effects are on iron levels in the body. Infants fed breast milk or iron fortified formula have normal iron levels. Recent studies show infants often have depleted levels when started on cow's milk at six months of age.

Optimal nutrition in an infant involves selecting the appropriate milk source and eventually introducing the infant to solid foods. In achieving this goal, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants be fed breast milk or iron-fortified formula during the first twelve months of life. Between the ages of four to six months, appropriate solid foods may be added. Taking breast milk or iron-fortified formula, along with the age-appropriate solid foods and juices during the first year of life, allows for more balanced nutrition.

Recommendations

Skim or 2% milk:

Under one year of age, skim and 2% (low-fat) milk have no place in the diet. They supply too much protein, potassium, and sodium and not enough calories for the growing infant. Children also need the fat for proper growth and development including brain development.

Low fat milks are not the answer for an overweight baby. The desirable diet is the same as that of a normal weight infant; the amount is the only difference. Conferring with a registered dietitian or physician is recommended. The recommendation will probably be a reduction in the amount of intake, not the type of intake. A slight reduction of calories by reducing the amount will allow the infant to "grow into his weight" without a rapid change in body fat. Rapid weight loss can be dangerous, particularly in a small child. An extreme reduction of fat stores might not leave enough energy stores for the infant to combat a serious illness. Many physicians question the serious, unknown consequences of a rapid loss of fat.

Suggested Intake - Infants:

Breast Milk:
every 1-3 hrs for infants 0-3 months
every 2-4 hrs for infants 4-5 months
every 3-4 hrs for infants 6-8 months
every 4-5 hrs for infants 9-12 months
Iron fortified Formula (per day):
18-40 oz. for infants 0-3 months
24-45 oz. for infants 4-5 months
24-37 oz. for infants 6-8 months
24-31 oz. for infants 9-12 months
Dairy:
none for infants 0-3 months
none for infants 4-5 months
none for infants 6-8 months
small servings for infants 9-12 months
Suggested intake - children 2 to 5 years of age:
cow's milk
6 servings/day
one servings equals:
1/2 cup milk, yogurt, pudding
3/4 oz. cheese
1 cup cottage cheese
Suggested intake - teens and adults (The equivalent of one of the following is recommended):

milk/yogurt (1 cup)
3-4 servings/day
1 1/2 oz. natural cheese
2-3 servings/day
2 oz. processed cheese
4 servings/day
See also: infant formulas

By Feona on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 01:32 pm:

I didn't know all that either. Good reminder for the breast feeders too.

By Tripletmom on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 03:44 pm:

Thx for youre input ladies. I was just very frustrated at the way he reacted towards me.I've read alot of literature on how you shouldnt introduce whole milk until the age of 1.I was only getting 13oz a day into them and mealtimes began to be a struggle. They are doing much better with mixing the formula and the milk together and I'll keep it that way for now.

Feona: Thx for all youre effort you found quite abit of information its much appreciated

By Crystal915 on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 05:44 pm:

Sherri, just remember this, the "recommendations" change all the time. My grandmom was telling me how when she had her kids it was sleep on their belly, then later switched to sleep on their back, etc. My kids slept better on their bellies, so I let them. Another good example is when I was in the hospital with them, the nurse SCREAMED at my ex and I because we weren't waking them up to BF every 2 hours. I called my mom in tears, because they wouldn't eat every 2 hours, and she said "Never wake a sleeping baby, they'll wake when they are hungry". We had to fill out a feeding chart, so we faked it to shut the nurses up. My DS started cereal at 3 months, because he had a huge appetite, even though "they" say it's too early. Do what your gut says, and find a doc who has a better bedside manner!!! ((((Sherri))))

By Reds9298 on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 09:04 pm:

I agree with everyone else. If your babies are happy and you're happy, go with it! Your doc should be more understanding to your circumstances. I started Natalie on whole milk at 1, but she was also drinking a ton of formula during the day, too. You know what's right for your kiddos better than anyone. Sometimes doctors really prescribe to the "one size fits all" for kids and it's simply not true.

I would have been frustrated with the doc, too. Don't let him get you down!

By Bobbie~moderatr on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 01:05 am:

I started all my children on 2% milk at 9 months old. They were also eating full meals by then also. They are all healthy (oldest 16, middle 14,the girls turned 9 Wednesday). They are all above height and at weight.. None have any ill effects of not staying on formula for the first year. The girls born at 4 pounds 11 ounces and 5 pounds 1 ounce are two of the biggest/healthiest kids in their classes.

For every thing you read on why you should do something, there is something else that tells you why you should do something else. In my experience your gut knows what you are supposed to do.. And children are resilient, if they can survive through famine for centuries.. they can survive on cows milk.. And..... What did people give their children before formula was created?? As we all know, not all women can breast feed, and in the middle of no where I bet wet nurses would have been hard to find.. Apparently generations and generations of humans survived before the all knowing people of our current generation came along or we wouldn't be here.. Funny thing, they were all a lot healthier back then.. HMMM, something to think about,huh?

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 07:55 am:

One thing I'd like to know. Did the doctor have blood drawn to check for iron levels? If he didn't, he has absolutely no idea if the diet you are using for your children is good for them or not.

I think I'd change pediatricians - certainly to one who would do a blood test when I asked for it.

By Tripletmom on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 11:51 am:

No he wouldnt do blood work he said it wasnt mandatory for a 9mth old and said hed see them for there 12mth needle.They went for there RSV needles today and the mds said they are quite big for preemies.They are all almost 18lbs and the md said they'd slow down on there weight now b/c they are cruising and being more active.I have no concerns with them and I'm thinking of changing doctors, we have a shortage of them right now and with a triple stroller I have to be careful where I go its usually a tight squeeze.

By Kiki on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 11:10 pm:

My oldest was a preemie too. I started her on whole milk around 10 1/2 months of age because she started rejecting the formula and she is thriving today. My middle child started on whole milk around the same time and my youngest is now completely off the formula. I found once they start having table food the formula doesn't have much flavor to them and their fluid intake decreases. Once regular milk was introduced the fluid intake went up.

I adore my pediatrician because she truly trusts and believes in a mother's instinct and if your doctor doesn't respect your intuition, find another physician. You know what's best for your children.

By Reds9298 on Saturday, March 18, 2006 - 08:27 pm:

My ped insisted on formula until the day after the first birthday!! Don't you think that's a tad picky? We went until about 2 weeks before the first bday, but then again, Natalie was on ALL table food by about 10mths and still LOVED her formula so there were no issues with taste.

Good luck finding another ped. It's difficult in our area as well. There are 2 ped offices here, one of which we don't like and the other that we're on the last doc in there that we will even try. It's very frustrating.
I'll echo the others again in saying you know what's best!!

By Dawnk777 on Saturday, March 18, 2006 - 10:17 pm:

I think we went to cow's milk, with Sarah in the last month of her first year. I don't think we quite made it to a year.

By Juli4 on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 09:36 pm:

My first was drinking cows milk at 10 months and eating table food. My second went straight from nursing to milk and table food. No baby food for her at all. She is healthy. I don't think I gave her one jar of baby food. She got teeth early and just ate what we ate for the most part and to this day loves salads. I would think that if the baby is not having any problems then it is okay. Sounds like they are well rounded.

By Sandysmom on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 10:22 pm:

Sherri, this is just another example that Dr.'s don't know everything.

When my 11mo went for her very first check-up, I explained to the Dr. that she had an awful lot of gas and her skin was in awful shape. I felt that regular formula was the major cause & asked the Dr. if I should try soy; keeping in mind that she was also miserable throughout the day. The Dr. said that she needed to adjust to her formula and that it would be ok. I took her advice and for a month, she remained the same way. At the next Dr. visit I mentioned about changing the formula again and told the Doc there was no change. Again, the Dr. said to keep her on the same formula. I couldn't understand why so against her advice I started her on soy formula w/iron and within a week, she was like a new baby. Her skin cleared up, the gas went away and she started sleeping through the night and she became a very pleasant baby. If I had listened to the Dr., who knows what kind of trauma she would have suffered.

I think you were right to go with your gut.