What milk should I give my 1 year old child?

I think that you should read these links before you decide what to do.

http://www.naturalnews.com/024266.html

http://www.kellythekitchenkop.com/2008/02/healthy-milk.html

I KNOW this runs contrary to nearly everything you have ever heard about milk. For those of you who have New Season's around,they carry Organic Valley, non-homogenized whole milk with cream on top.

3 moms found this helpful

Whole milk is a whole food. 2% milk is processed food. This goes against conventional Western medicine and diet recommendations but there is actually a lot of evidence that no one should drink 2% or skim milk---check out the Weston A. Price Foundation website for further info.

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I second the last response. She gave some great websites. Definitely give your child whole milk--if possible, non-homogenized and organic. Fats are so important to a young child's brain development. Fats ARE NOT the reason for childhood obesity. That can be blamed on sugar, sugary drinks and lack of movement, among other things. Remember to also put some butter with veggies--they need to be eaten with fat to help absorb the nutrients. I have been feeding my son at least 90% whole foods (meaning nothing processed or canned), as well as plenty of organic butter and cream and cod liver oil. He has not been sick for one day in the last 6 months--not even a sniffle (he is now 18 months). To me, having a healthy child is worth some extra effort and cost. I know that a lot of people will disagree with me, but I am happy with results! Check out those websites given by the last commenter--very eye-opening!

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Whole milk is 4% fat, 2% is 2%. They put sugar in 2% to make it white. Check the label. This was very important to me when my children were small.

Every mother gave me grief because I fed my kids 4%, but my "kids" are tall, healthy, strong and beautiful adults now. They were always so as children. It is easier to change from breast/formula to whole milk than to 2%. It tastes better. Oh, my son is 6'1" and my daughter 5'7" (and she's a vegetarian.)

And they are both gifted individuals--in schools and out.

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I agree, whole milk at age 1. My daughter doesn't tolerate cows milk very well (gets gas/upset tummy) so we give her Goats Milk that is high fat like whole cows milk. She loves it and it agrees with her very well. Just a suggestion in case cows milk doesn't sit well with you child.

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This is a question for your pediatrician. Normally babies start on whole milk at age one and switch to 2% at age 2. However, that's only if you baby's weight and nutrition needs allow it. Our daughter (who just turned 3) has always been really small. So she'll be on whole milk until she is probably 5 years old. Other babies are overweight and switch to 2% (and sometimes even 1%) sooner than others. Your doctor should go over this with you at your daughter's 1 year check-up. :-)

You're supposed to give them whole milk after 1 year, not sure when to stop though, age two or three I think.

my doc says whole milk until at least 2.

Whole milk until at least 2. Then whatever your ped recommends after that (which can depend on her weight).

Brain development requires fats and cholesterol, so stick to whole milk for now.

Whole milk with vitamins A and D. They need the fat at this age for their brain development.

That all depends on if you baby is thin or big. The nutirent content of both is the same the difference comes in the fat content. 2 of my kids needed whole milk because they were on the thin side and my 3rd one needed 2% because she was a bit bigger.

Whole Milk...usually the red cap.

You should check with your pediatrician, but ours recommended whole milk. My daughter is a bit slender so we were told to stick with higher fat until she's at least 18 months, but probably until she's 2.

Hi A.,
Talk to you doctor but my son turned 1 a month ago and his doctor told us that the American Board of Pediatrics recently changed their milk recommendation from whole milk to 2% for children over 1 year of age. I asked him why they changed it and if there were any exceptions. He told me that they changed it because of the number of obese children. However, they are still recommending whole milk for children that are underweight or born prematurely. He also told me which I didn't know was that whole milk is only 4% milk so there's not a whole lot of difference. My take on the whole thing is that really it's your preference. Unless your child is overweight or drinking an excessive amount of milk then I don't think it makes a big difference what kind of milk they drink. But again that is my opinion. Personally I give my son both, whole milk most of the time and 2% if I am out of whole milk. My son is in the 75 percentile for weight, VERY active, a picky eater and doesn't drink a whole lot of milk so I feel the little bit of extra fat and calories is good for him. So that is why I still prefer whole milk at this point. Hope this helps a little.

A.,

It is recommended that children get whole milk until they are two because the extra fat in the milk helps brain development. My doctor, and my MIL (she has a degree in early childhood education) made sure I knew that every time I saw them when my now 5 year old son was that age.

But, seeing as how I have to stretch every dollar as far as I can, I wasn't about to go out and buy special milk for either of my kids (I also have a daughter that is 19 months). They get 2% just like us grown-ups drink. I would not buy them fat-free however, that defeats the purpose of the fats and brain development.

Hope this helps,
M.

Whole milk, until they're at least 2.

Whole milk! It is very important that she recieves the fatty nutrients for brain development at that age. I switched my daughter over to 2% at age 3. This is how my mom did it, and also what my doctor recommends.

They say from year one to year two to have the children drink whole milk.

S.

Our pediatrician suggests whole milk until the age of 2... minimum. Have fun with her! It sounds like you guys are a really active family (from your bio blurb).
S.

My pediatrician says whole milk until age 2. Then move to 2%. That's what I have done with both of my kids. Good Luck!

Definitely whole milk. She needs the fat for growth and brain development! OUr Dr. confirmed for us after that recent article said something about pediatricians recommending lowfat milk for kids. She said it was ridiculous!

Hello,

My daughter was very small and still is, so we were recommended whole milk and to add cream cheese to eggs and such to help add calories. She is 5 years old and is still on whole milk. But she is still under weight too. Check with your child's doctor.

Positively,
M.

We did whole milk till age 2. Then 2 percent or 1 percent after age 2.. Some kids are different and my second child was on the skinny side and she drank whole until 2.5 also she didn't drink alot of milk.. Also, your doctor should adress this issue at the 1 year well check.
Best of luck,
L.

Whole milk... she needs a greater amount of fat than most people until she's about three.

HI there! I would ask your pediatrican which would be best. We had the same question when our son turned one. We started him whole milk and he drank that until he was 2, but after that, his dr suggested we give him 1% because he eats so much other foods with calcium, that he didn't need the 2%. I think mostly they say to give whole milk because of the fat helps with brain developement. But you should definilty talk to your daughters physician.