when to transition from WHOLE milk to 2 % and so on...

[daybyday]

So my DS is a very spirited and active toddler (25 months)...and very consistent on his weight and height...but my IRL friends and family say that he shouldn't be on whole milk any longer....he's a fabulous eater...eats literally anything...and his milk intake is very low as it is...(we think he might be slightly intolerant) only about 7 oz a day and he eats other dairy such as cheese and yohgurt hmmmmm

I'm just wondering...at what age did you transition other LO's to the "family" milk..or if you did...or if he still "needs" the fat content of whole milk...

Thanks Marie

[*Natasha*]

We are told to switch at 2yrs old as they worry about obbesity problems in kids.

[oilerbaby]

There's nothing wrong with the whole milk - it just has more fat - so if your son is doing fine and not overweight I wouldn't think it's a problem.  However, if your family drink 2% there's nothing wrong with him drinking 2% either.  My first was on whole until about 2 years old and my second started 2% considerably sooner (around 18 months) so I didn't have to cart home 3 different types of milk.  And it sounds like your son is getting calcium from other sources as well.  All the best!

[daybyday]

see that's just it...we drink skim...and according to the doc...his weight gain is PERFECT...I'm not worried at all about weight gain from the milk...but the idea of brain development etc needed from the fat in whole milk is what concerns me....

by the way..he'll drink the skim no problem...so should I just switch?

Sorry I over think things....ack

[daybyday]

Thank you all for your words of wisdom....

Stacy...you being in Alberta really helps! thanks for knowledge...so I guess I'll buy him 2% when we go grocery shopping tomorrow!

[maggieruth]

oh!  looks like i am buying 2% then! thanks ladies 

[mari]

My health visitor told me that she could go on reduced fat milk when she was 2, but TBH I have never bought it so kept her on full fat milk, my DS also still has a glass of full fat milk at bedtime and breakfast.  I really don't think there is any harm in it, I was brought up on it, my mum never used semi dkimmed or anything like that.

[Shdef]

Sam and Jenn's dietician said only to stay on whole milk if the children are bad eaters or underweight. She told MIL off very harshly for buying reduced fat items. But Sam and Jenn are skinny, so is she.

My ped said to only switch if the children ARE overweight, otherwise they should have the fat cause they need fat.

[RachelC]

We were told (here in the US) that it was fine to go to skim at 2 years (I think.... I know it was whole at 12 months, and I think 2% at 18 then we went to skim at 2).

Stacy - does it say why not skim for kids?

[daybyday]

I dont even drink skim, cant say i would ever give it to Kaleb lol. 

LOL...I don't LIKE milk, which is why we drink skim...closest thing to water to put on cereal without being water! but I don't have any intention of fostering that onto my kids...so I'll keep buying two different types!

[lilmonkey]

Ive got this pamphlet from the Alberta wellness something thing l ol Its about toddler eating.  Anyways it advises whole milk to age 2 and if then your child has normal weight and good eating  habits, you can drop to 2%.

They dont advise skim for kids period.  Personally if hes drinking that  low of milk, i wouldnt wanna go lower then 2%. 

Funny you should say that about skim milk.  Almost all food establishments we've been to serve only skim milk.  The first few times dd had skim milk, she thought it was water but looks like milk.   

[daybyday]

must agree with Stacy...I waitressed all through university (3 different places) and we ALL carried 2%...

My MIL owned her own Coffee shop and they had whole or skim....and a lot asked for it mixed...go figure

[Shdef]

we only have 0.3%, 1.5%, 3.5%

No 2%. How fat is fat?

[Shdef]

They all say different things 

those professionals...