Learn how to introduce cow's milk to your baby, since milk is the most common food allergy in infants and young children, with three reliable recipes for babies that have already started solid foods.
While cow’s milk should not be used as a substitute for breast milk, one should introduce cow’s milk starting at 4-6 months since it is the most common food allergy in infants and young children. Yet, picking a time to introduce milk and finding reliable recipes can seem confusing.
Luckily, we are sharing our 3 favorite recipes for introducing cow’s milk to your baby based on National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommendations.
Understanding of NIH recommendations on consistent and safe exposure to cow’s milk and other allergens is encouraged before proceeding with any of the following recipes. For more information on the NIH recommendations we suggest reading our article: 5 Rules for DIY Early Allergen Introduction.
Here are 3 favorite recipes for introducing dairy to your baby:
Warm Oatmeal
6+ months
Serves: 1
Total time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup raw oats (not instant or packet oatmeal)
- ⅛ cup water
- ⅛ cup whole milk
Instructions:
- Put raw oats in a blender and blend until it forms a light, soft powder
- Add water and cow’s milk in a saucepan, gently bring to a boil (you can add more or less liquid to oats to change the texture)
- Add blended oats, cook for 5 minutes on medium stirring occasionally
- Serve in a baby bowl at room temperature
Note: Never give an infant unpasteurized milk, or milk with added sugars.
Banana Smoothie
6+ months
Serves: 2
Total time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 banana
- 2 ice cubes
- 1 drop vanilla extract or pinch cinnamon
Instructions:
- Cut banana into ½ inch thin slices
- Place ice, and bananas into blender
- Pour water and milk over contents in blender
- Blend all ingredients on high until pureed
- Add vanilla or cinnamon to smoothie
- Blend briefly until cinnamon or vanilla is incorporated
- Serve baby in spoonfuls from baby bowl
Note: Never give an infant unpasteurized milk, or milk with added sugars.
Egg-Free Baby Biscotti
8+ months
Servings: 18-20 biscotti
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- ⅓ cup butter, softened
- ⅓ cup applesauce
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon or vanilla
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- Put butter, light brown sugar and apple sauce in a bowl
- Stir until combined.
- Add plain flour, baking powder and cinnamon
- Scoop into bite size pieces and place on a non-stick cookie sheet
- Roll out into flat 1-2 inch ovals
- Bake on center rack for 20-25 minutes
- Flip cookies and bake for an additional 5 minutes
- Let cool 1 hour
We recommend starting with creamy texture foods, however if your baby has begun to eat solid foods they may enjoy this. This biscotti is great for teething babies and doesn’t contain any added sugars unlike traditional biscotti.
Ready. Set. Food!: An Easy, Evidence-Based Approach to Introducing Cow’s Milk
A safer and most convenient way to expose children to cow’s milk and other allergens early and consistently is through Ready. Set. Food! Ready. Set. Food! Is trusted by moms and pediatricians because our evidence-based approach:
- Uses clinical recommendations used in the landmark studies to gently introduce cow’s milk (plus, peanut and egg)
- Introduces 9 top allergens -- which represent over 90% of the most common childhood food allergies
- Is 100% organic
- Can be given to babies as early as 4 month, mixing easily into breast milk or formula
- No need for food scales, measuring or preparing, simply open and pour prepackaged servings into your bottle
Ready. Set. Food! Is the safest and easiest way to introduce milk to your baby. Learn more about Ready. Set. Food! and early allergen introduction.
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All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your baby’s health.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If your infant has severe eczema, check with your infant’s healthcare provider before feeding foods containing ground peanuts.