Month 10 Worry: When Can I Switch to Milk from Formula?

Dr. Pearson found that the earlier the introduction of cow's milk, the more severe the anemia. For example, a six-month-old switching over to whole milk has a much larger risk of severe anemia compared to a one-year-old making the same switch. Again, the younger child just hasn't developed the intestinal maturity to handle the whole milk protein.

What Parents Should Know

What makes cow's milk formula different from just regular whole cow's milk? For one, it is specially heat treated, which denatures its protein slightly. This makes the protein, which might normally be irritating to some infant tummies, much more tolerable—and therefore more generally nutritious. It is also iron fortified. This small boost of iron is critical in repleting an infant's iron stores, which rapidly decrease after birth due to multiple factors, including decreased infant production of new red blood cells and increased turnover of red cells in the infant body. And unlike some of the rumors you've heard, it is not nearly enough iron to cause symptoms such as constipation.

Then parents ask me, "But grilled cheese or macaroni and cheese is considered okay at nine months of age for most infants, right? Why is this? Isn't this cow's milk, too?" In this case it is a matter of volume, I tell them. A small cheese meal or snack is a tiny proportion of an infant's feedings at this age, whereas 24 ounces or more of whole milk in bottles over the course of a day ends up being too much. An excess of cow's milk protein can irritate an infant's intestine and cause microscopic blood loss. This blood loss is too small in amount for parents to see, but enough for babies to lose significant amounts of iron over time, becoming anemic.

Anemia may seem like a relatively minor issue, but babies who are anemic become older children with anemia. And chronically low blood counts in older kids can be associated with fatigue, heart issues, and learning problems. It just makes sense to take simple steps to prevent anemia at this early age.

What the Docs May Do

Most doctors would agree that even a three percent risk of anemia is too high for your child. Your pediatric provider will likely check a measure of iron stores at your baby's one-year checkup. If there are other risk factors (like prematurity or maternal anemia), your provider may check a blood count well before the first birthday. Blood counts can be checked by a finger stick in the office (a hemoglobin) or a trip to the local lab (for a hemoglobin or complete blood count—called a "CBC"). Those infants failing their screening will typically be placed on some form of iron supplementation. When necessary, iron treatment is usually prescribed for a three-month period.

Most pediatricians will ask screening questions for lead exposure at the one year visit, as well. Lead intoxication is one of the infrequent causes of anemia in toddlers. Testing for lead may be performed at the same time.

Remember that if your infant has visible blood in the stool, this may represent more than just a minor protein overload issue, as discussed before. Talk to your pediatrician. Issues to think about include a fissure or cut around the anus (which can happen after the passage of a particularly large or hard poop) or a true milk protein allergy.

More 10th Month Health Help

Even the most confident parent has concerns about her child's health and wellness from time to time. (If you have any pressing concerns or questions about your baby's health, please check with her healthcare provider.)

• What was last month's most popular health worry?
• Learn which medical question you might have next month.
• Here's what else is happening with your baby's health and development this month.