Q&A: When can I introduce my baby to cow's milk?

As you’ve fortunately experienced with your son, it’s actually quite common for infants who are milk protein (or, in many cases milk- and soy-protein) intolerant early in their first year to outgrow their formula intolerance before reaching their first birthdays. Knowing that an infant is able to tolerate Similac or any of the other cow’s milk-protein based formulas serves as a reassuring indicator that they will likely tolerate the switch from formula to cow’s milk. That said, it’s important to be aware that this switch to drinking regular whole cow’s milk is not recommended until 1 year of age, and it’s always a good idea to check with your pediatrician before doing so—especially when your child has had a prior history of sensitivity.

For more information on the topic of switching from formula to cow’s milk, food allergies and intolerances, as well as lots of other food-related questions, feel free to also check out my book entitled Food Fights: Winning the Nutritional Challenges of Parenthood Armed with Insight, Humor and a Bottle of Ketchup!.