You say you're an RN? How much studying HAVE you done on breastfeeding and on pediatrics? EVERYTHING I have ever read says that for an INFANT cow's milk (in quantity) is indeed bad for the digestive system, and can be really bad for the WHOLE body. For instance:
Cow's milk is more specific to a baby cow than a baby human. Cow's milk formula is based on cow's milk but has been engineered to be closer to human milk (still a ways off, but closer). Many infants still have problems with cow's milk formula (allergies, GI problems, etc.). Babies who are exposed to cow's milk before their first birthday are more likely to be anemic, have diarrhea or vomiting, and/or experience an allergic reaction (the proteins in milk are more numerous than those in other milk products, such as the yogurt). The excessive protein load in cow's milk can also overload a baby's kidneys. It is deficient in vitamins C, E, and copper. It is harder to digest as well, often causing intestinal blood loss. A number of studies have also indicated that early introduction of cow's milk may contribute to the development of Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus.
Also:
In 1992, the American Academy of Pediatricians released their statement regarding the use of whole cow's milk during infancy. The findings were published in "Pediatrics" volume 89, number 6 in June of 1992. Plainly stated, the Academy recommended that whole cow's milk and low-iron formulas not be used during the first year of life.
Infants fed whole cow's milk receive inadequate amounts of Vitamin E, iron, essential fatty acids, and excessive amounts of protein, sodium, and potassium. These levels may be too high for the infant's system to handle. Additionally, whole cow's milk protein and fat are more difficult for an infant to digest and absorb.
The most dramatic effects are on iron levels in the body. Infants fed breast milk or iron fortified formula have normal iron levels. Recent studies show infants often have depleted levels when started on cow's milk at six months of age.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=1594357
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/106/5/S2/1302
Nutritional Characteristics
Because cows' milk is intended for calves, which have a much higher growth velocity than infants, the content of nutrients essential for growth, like protein and some minerals are much higher (typically 2-3 times) than in human milk. Therefore, cows' milk has a very high renal solute load that might cause dehydration and hypernatremia during illness (see the article on renal solute load by Fomon in this supplement). The high protein content will contribute considerably to the total protein intake, if milk intake is high. During the complementary feeding period, some infants have an excessive protein intake, which might have adverse effects (see article on the risks of excessive protein intake by Michaelsen in this supplement). Cows' milk also has a low content of essential fatty acids, zinc, vitamin C, and niacin and a high content of saturated fatty acids. Cows' milk has a negative effect on the iron status of the infant. The iron content is low, it is poorly absorbed, and cows' milk that has not been heat-treated, can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, especially during the first 6 months of life. There is uncertainty about how important this problem is during the last half of infancy.3,4
So how is it not bad again? Do you have something that refutes this?
