Feeding FAQ: 6-9 months – Weaning/Solids

My daughter is seven months old and I am giving her baby cereal, which she likes. Can I use boiled milk on the cereal, or do I need to use formula? I know she’s still supposed to have formula in her bottle, not milk, and I’m a bit confused.

You are not alone in feeling confused! The fact that milk is not recommended as a main drink until after the age of one frequently leads parents to question whether any dairy products are allowed before this age. In fact, dairy foods such as milk in baby cereal, yoghurt and cheese are all fine to use after the age of six months. The only restriction is that a baby’s main drink up to one year old should be breastmilk or baby formula. At this age a large part of a baby’s diet is made up of these drinks, and they have more suitable amounts of nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, than cows’ (or goats’) milk does. Over the age of one a baby is eating a wider range and greater amount of food, and thus they aren’t so reliant on drinks to provide vital nutrients. Also, their kidneys are more mature, and are able to cope with the slightly higher amounts of the mineral sodium that are found in cows’ milk.
There’s no need to boil the milk before mixing it with the cereal. You could warm it a little if you wish, checking that it’s not too hot before feeding your baby, of course. It is particularly important to pay attention to use-by dates and keep milk well refrigerated though, as babies’ digestive systems can be very sensitive.