First foods database

🥛 Cow's milk for babies: when and how to serve it

Can babies have cow's milk? From 6 months it can be used in cooking, such as porridge and sauces. As a main drink, whole cow's milk is suitable from 12 months.

From 6 monthsAllergen: MilkLow choking risk when prepared well

Good source of: Calcium, Protein, Iodine, Vitamin B12

How to serve cow's milk by age

6 to 9 months

Use whole cow's milk in cooking only: porridge, sauces and mashed potato. Keep breast milk or formula as the main drink.

9 to 12 months

Continue using milk in cooking. Offer water in a cup with meals.

12 months and up

Whole cow's milk can be the main drink from 12 months, offered in a cup.

Choking safety

Milk itself is not a choking risk, but offer it from an open or free-flow cup rather than a bottle from 12 months to protect teeth. Always stay with your baby while they eat, and offer food with them sitting upright.

Gagging is common and noisy while babies learn to eat. Choking is usually silent. Always stay with your baby while they eat, sitting upright. How to help a choking baby (NHS).

Good to know

Introducing it as an allergen

It contains milk, one of the 14 major allergens. How to introduce milk

Easy ideas

Goes well with

🥣OatsFrom 6 months · Gluten🥔PotatoFrom 6 months🍝PastaFrom 6 months · Gluten🧀CheddarFrom 6 months · Milk

Recipes with cow's milk

🍎Apple and cinnamon baby porridgeFrom 6 months · Breakfast · 15 min🍆Baby aubergine and lentil moussakaFrom 9 months · Dinner · 85 min🍳Baby egg and spinach omelette stripsFrom 7 months · Breakfast · 11 min🍎Baked oat and apple porridge fingersFrom 6 months · Breakfast · 35 min🥧Beef and carrot cottage pie for babiesFrom 7 months · Dinner · 70 min🍝Beef and spinach baby lasagneFrom 9 months · Dinner · 70 min

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Questions parents ask

Can babies eat cow's milk?

Can babies have cow's milk? From 6 months it can be used in cooking, such as porridge and sauces. As a main drink, whole cow's milk is suitable from 12 months.

When can babies have cow's milk as a drink?

From 12 months. Before that, cow's milk can be used in cooking.

Can babies have semi-skimmed milk?

From 2 years if eating a varied diet. Whole milk before that.

Sources

OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).