Transitioning to cow’s milk really necessary? Please explain

Question

Maybe I’m stupid but I don’t understand the “need” to transition a baby from breast to cows milk. My baby is ten months so I’ve seen this topic come up quite a lot lately. I don’t understand the need to make a baby drink the breast milk from another species? I’m not saying that as a vegan or anything! (I’m actually vegetarian) - I just don’t understand it. 
Am I right in thinking that there ISN’T an actual “need” to transition to cows milk? That I could just keep breastfeeding and offering her water and a range of healthy solids until she’s ready? I’m sorry... am I missing something? Isn’t goat’s milk healthier, anyway? 
In other words... What is the benefit in transitioning a baby off their mother’s breast milk to the breast milk of another species? I always expected my baby to simply let me know when she’s ready for a normal diet, without the need for a “transitional” milk in-between. 
This post isn’t meant to sound accusatory or confrontational in anyway - I just genuinely don’t understand it. I haven’t heard of any actual benefit to the child. Maybe just that the mother wants to wean sooner? But I could be completely wrong about it, so I’m asking you lovely women, if you wouldn’t mind explaining? X

Answer

Are you American? I am, and our culture has a weird obsession with transitioning to cow's milk and/or food. It doesn't make any sense. You certainly don't HAVE to. Cow's milk doesn't carry near the nutrients or antibodies that breastmilk does. Historically, babies could stay on exclusively breastmilk for a couple years or more!
There's no reason to transition. Especially if you don't want to!

Answer

Our son was on formula and no longer needed that level of nutrition after a year because he was getting it from solids. Plus, we pay $1.89/bag of whole milk compared to $35/can of formula. My husband also drinks whole milk, so we’re already buying it. 
Our daughter is 4mo and we’re hoping to keep her on breast milk for the first year. We’ll probably still transition her to whole milk at a year (or when the freezer stash runs out) because I would like to not deal with pumping at work and sending milk to daycare any longer than I have to. Life is so much simpler for us when our kids can drink and eat regular food and we no longer have to pack it to go places.

Answer

You’re right.  It’s not necessary for all the reasons you laid out.  We switched to oat milk around a year because we weaned from breast milk.

Answer

My son is almost 18 months and still has a nursing session right before bed. He’s only ever had cows milk (lactose free) maybe 2 times and that’s only because I was out of his milk. He has soy milk with his breakfast every morning. He does however have other diary products such as cheese and yogurt so I’m not worried about the cows milk nor did I want to give him that either. I feel like cows milk is for baby cows lol that’s just my opinion. There is plenty of other types of milk that you can give your little one. My pediatrican recommended Soy so that’s what we went on. You can always do your own research or just ask your child’s pediatrician for what they would recommend.

Answer

If I was personally breastfeeding exclusively and baby was still happy with my milk I wouldn’t see a need to transition on to cows milk. I think you’ve got to do what’s tight for you and your baby. 
If it makes you uncomfortable then definitely stick with what you’re doing xx

Transitioning to cow’s milk really necessary? Please explain

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