1 Department of Pediatrics, USAF Regional Hospital, Eglin, Eglin AFB, FL 32542
To the Editor.
There seems to be a great deal of argument as to when a child should be switched from breast/formula to cow's milk. Supportive data are difficult to come by for an exact age, although recommendations abound. The consensus appears to favor the concept that excess cow's milk can lead to problems, especially if started at a very early age.
Here is a method that I have been using in my practice for the last few years: Observing that weaning from the breast/bottle to a cup results in decreased milk consumption and overall caloric intake becomes supplemented with solid foods, this weaning time becomes a logical time to suggest starting cow's milk (as a decreased intake, decreases the "risks" associated with cow's milk intake).