My very healthy baby is just over 6 months old. Could I try whole milk on her because she hates formula?

Yes, you can. Contrary to what many people believe, you can make your own homemade formula. The link below gives you a good start, however, I would recommend using BGH free whole milk (you can get it at the grocery store). The argument that formula is superior to milk alone is based on comparing apples to oranges. Formula is just waste milk from the cheesemaking process with some additives (the argument from the poster above that cows milk has no nutrients is just ignorance). The only reason they even have the additives in formula was because they were losing market share to breastfeeding. Yes, you need additives such as iron.

If your child has any serious illnesses, then speak to your doctor because goat milk may be preferable. It does not have vit. D added, so you may have to adjust for that as well.

Formula is pushed due to politics, not because it is HEALTHIER than what you could do at home. I would like any mother on here to tell me why they think daily ingestion of corn syrup is healthier. A lie spoken often enough becomes the truth. However, it is still a lie.

I don't recommend using organic milk because it is not as organic as people would like to think. Therefore, you are just throwing money away. But DO stick with the Bovine Growth Hormone (BGH) free milk.

My baby is 9 months old and has been formula fed since he was 2 months old when I stopped pumping. I simply didn't want to breastfeed, so I didn't. That being said, maybe you could try getting her into her crib by herself first, and then stop breastfeeding her. She may go into her crib pretty easily. I would suggest trying that, or stopping her nursing and then moving her to her crib. Experiencing both dramatic changes at once may be a lot for your baby to handle.

As far as milk versus formula, one idea could be to try giving her different formulas for a while to see if there is one that she would take to. Compared to breast milk and regular milk they really smell bad and taste bad. If you really don't want to give her formula and don't want to continue nursing her (or pumping) I would suggest that you try giving her a next step formula first. The formula companies suggest offering it instead of milk for toddlers since it has been fortified with many of the same nutrients as formula. Only after that would I suggest giving her whole milk.

There is an interesting article that talks about how the recommended age for starting milk in the US is 12 months, but Canada says 9 months. Read through it. It has some interesting information. Best of luck with what ever you decide.

Your baby will have a hard time changing from nursing to a bottle anyway. It may not be the formula she dislikes, but that her suck is too strong for the nipple you are using on the bottle. She ends up gulping and gagging on the formula. You could try feeding her formula with a nipple with a smaller hole, like those that are for water or juice. Also the nursers with the plastic bags are better for breast fed babies changing over, because they don't suck as much air into their tummies as with a regular bottle.

There are many formulas available---some are for babies 6 months of age and older and are different, because they "taste better" for those older babies with taste buds, that have not been eating regular formula since birth. Carnation makes one,I believe it is called "Good Start", and so does Prosobee for those who have an intolerance to cows milk. Cows milk is not an acceptable alternative to breast milk, because it was made for cows not humans, and does not have all the necessary nutrients your 6 month old needs.

Babies shouldn't have whole milk until they are one because milk doesn't have all the added nutrients that breast milk and formula does.

If you want her to go to formula, then they change will have to be gradual. First start putting your breastmilk in a bottle so that she will become used to drinking it that way. After that has been accomplished, start putting a small amount of formula in it. For example, put 4 oz breastmilk then 2 oz water and a scoop of formula. Every other day or so add more formula and take away breast milk. It might take a week or two, but it will probably be the easiest way.

By 6 months old she should be sleeping the night. Put her in her crib, she might sleep longer without having you next to her. She doesn't need the middle of the night feedings anymore, which will be nice for everyone.

Also, cow's milk doesn't have any nutrients in it. Your baby still needs ALOT of vitamins, which milk doesn't provide and eating baby food 2x a day will not provide all she needs.

Did you try formual in a sippy cup, she will get used to it, just give her some time, it is a new flavore and new way to get nutrients.

As always, you should ask your doctor's advise.

Well, as we all know breastmilk is best. I am biased since I breastfed both of my babies for 15 months and never used formula. However, I understand you wanting to get your little one out of your bed. They say to wait until they are one to use whole milk. I would talk to your doctor before you do anything. Whole milk can cause stomach problems. While a little amount won't hurt her, it can be a problem if she has a lot. Again, talk to your doctor.

Have you tried pumping and feeding your baby this milk through a sippee cup?

NO!!! If you know you aren't supposed to give a child cows milk until age one why did you? Guess what... stopping breast feeding does not mean that she will automatically sleep in her crib. Try pumping. She will eat formula if she is hungry enough. You should talk to your doctor. What reasons could you possibly want to stop breast feeding that would benefit your child? It sounds very selfish to me. You are a mom and your child comes first now. And what kind of food are you feeding her? You should really talk to her pediatrician and do some research on line.

It may not necessarily be the formula, but the nipple she's rejecting. Too be sure try pumping your breast milk for a while to get her used to a bottle. When that works, you should mix your breast milk and formula for a couple of weeks, eventually she'll be on nothing but formula.

Cow's milk is highly allergenic, not to mention can be difficult for babies even some adults to digest.

And I doubt its the milk she likes from your cup or a sippy cup, but the act of drinking from a big girl cup. Babies love that.

NO. She needs formula or breastmilk until she is 1. Cow's milk will not provide all the nutrients she needs.

ETA: I know that you said you are done breastfeeding and that she hates formula. But those are your options. If you give her cow's milk, she will suffer for it. Give her formula in a sippy cup or a regular cup if you have to. She'll get used to it. Or better yet, pump & give her bottles of breastmilk.

I would say to pump your breast milk and add that to your sippy cup, if possible. The problem with cow's milk is that it will not offer her enough nutrition for her growing body. Even if she can digest it, it's still not high enough in vitamins and iron.