When Should I Switch My Son to Lower Fat Milk ?

Updated on May 19, 2008
H.M. asks from Halethorpe, MD
39 answers

I was wondering if any moms could tell me when it is time to switch my son to lower fat milk. He is 2 1/2 and he has always had whole milk. He is a healthy boy, very tall for his age (and average weight). I prefer lower fat milk for his dad and i and don't know if he can drink 2% (or even 1%) because it is healthier for us. Is it a healthier choice for kids as well? thanks...

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S.L.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi H.,

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends kids drinking whole milk until 2yo since they still need the extra fat until then to fully myelinate their nerves. After that you can switch to as low a percent as he'll tolerate (skim if he's overweight). Hope this helps.

S.

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J.S.

answers from Washington DC on

H.,

I just took my son in for his 3 year appt. today and was told that he can go to a lower fat milk. (1%) The doctor he had at 2 said to leave him on the whole milk, but today his doctor said that after 2 it is fine to switch him. It sounds like there is a little wiggle room and doctor preference involved, but either way, I'd say you are OK to switch him.

J.

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M.B.

answers from Washington DC on

NOW! Lower fat milks have all the same vitamins, minerals, etc. just without all the fat. My son is almost 2 1/2 and he drinks 2% (although 1% would be fine) and this was recommended also by his ped.

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K.B.

answers from Washington DC on

My Dr. told us that at 2 years old they can drink lower fat options.

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K.L.

answers from Norfolk on

once they turn 2 you can switch to 2%. whole milk is only 3% anyway, so not a big deal really. they need that fat protein for brain developement is what i was told by a dr.

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L.J.

answers from Dover on

I have twin sons who are now almost 11. My husband and I drink skim milk so when they were 2, I switched them to skim as well. I think they were supposed to have whole milk until they were 2. Now they wont drink whole milk because they think it tastes gross because it is so thick. One of them wont even drink 1% because it is too thick for him. Low fat milk will always be a healthier choice (after 2 years old, that is.) As a matter of fact, they only serve lowfat milk in school cafeterias now. Hope that helps!

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

My daughter is 18m and on 2%. I think she handles it better than whole milk. The ped. prefers whole milk until 2, becuase the extra fat helps with brain cells or some such. She said that as long as my daughter was getting other good fats in her diet - like yogurt, cheese, etc. - that 2% was ok.
M.

D.S.

answers from Allentown on

Hi H.,

Here are some web sites:

http:pediatrics.about.com/od/weeklyquestion/a/04_low_fat_milk.htm

http:parenting.ivillage.com/tp/tpnutrition/0,,43sp/00.html

Hope this helps. D.

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

We switched all of our kids to skim milk on their second birthdays. Our pediatrician was in full support of this. It's easier to switch when they are younger, I'd think (I know my mom and stepdad had a 10-year battle over what milk to buy!). Kids can get GOOD fats in their diets from other foods, like olive oil, canola oil, nuts/nut butters (if they're not allergic), avocado, salmon, etc. My understanding is that they don't need the saturated fat from dairy after the first 2 years. We put our kids on all lowfat dairy during the year after their second birthday, and they are fine with it. As long as your child isn't underweight, I'd think it was fine. HTH!

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J.B.

answers from Washington DC on

At my daughter's 2 year check up,my pediatrician said that we can switch from whole milk to skim milk. My daughter was 24 pounds at age 2 (25%) so she was definately not overweight.

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J.K.

answers from Washington DC on

Our doc told us at age 2 they can/should go to 2%

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M.K.

answers from Washington DC on

2% is probably perfectly fine now as long as your son is not underweight. My son's doctor told us to switch to 2% when we came in for his 2 year old well visit.

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K.C.

answers from Washington DC on

The nutritional content is the same, but your body (and your kid's body) absorb the fat soluable vitamins easier in their natural state...which is attached to the fat in the milk. When the processors remove the fat, the Vitamin D and calcium go with it, then they put vitamin D and calcium back into it to maintain the same levels of vitamins in the milk as the whole version.

Due to that reason, our family uses whole milk anyway. Lets face it, if a kid is overweight, it's more likely because of their whole diet and activity level, not which type of milk they drink.

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S.B.

answers from Roanoke on

I had my first son on whole milk until he was about 18 months maybe 2 then I switched to 2%. Since then, we have switched back to whole milk, when my 18 month old turned 1 year old. I've seen that my oldest has gained a little weight, but he was a little underweight to begin with, my 18 month old is a little chunker. I also do soy milk which is way lower in fat and great for them, they love the vanilla and the chocolate!! I do suggest organic milk!! It is so much healthier for EVERYONE!! No hormones or additives. Hope this helps!!

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S.B.

answers from Dover on

The research is stating now that there isn't a lot of health benefits to keeping the child on whole milk. I was told at 2 he could switch to low fat or skim milk. I think you should be good to switch now.

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S.K.

answers from Washington DC on

Best person to ask is your pediatrician. Mine said Erin should be on whole milk until her pre-teen years! 11 or 12 to go on skim milk. My husband and I go through a lot of milk anyway, so we just get a gallon of each every few days. Erin, 4 1/2, is milk fiend too, so it doesn't go bad before it gets used.

I think childhood obesity has a lot more to do with sugar and inactivity than whole milk. Whole milk is only 4% fat anyway. My husband and I drink skim because we like the lighter taste of it.

Especially keep kids away from high fructose corn syrup as much as possible (read labels, it's in EVERYTHING, including things like ketchup and bread crumbs!) and get them out from in front of the TV, and whole milk will not hurt anybody.

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B.S.

answers from Washington DC on

The reason whole milk is recommended for children is because the fat content promotes healthy brain and tissue development. As long as your son is getting enough "good" fats in his diet he won't suffer from switching to 2% or skim milk. My son was a great eater so I could slip in alot of these "good" fats into his diet easily I swithched him just before age 2.
Call your Ped. or the health Dept.they should be able to give you some insight.

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M.W.

answers from Washington DC on

H., actually low fat milk is not better for children. The fats in whole milk are essential for the growth and development of brain tissue, so it is not good to cut them out until the brain has stopped growing and developing. No one is totally sure when that is, but the earliest I have heard to switch is the age of 7 or 8. And since everyone's brain grows at a different rate, I would be very hesitant to change.

Unless your son becomes obese, I would not switch until a doctor tells you that it is necessary. Since your son is average weight, he obviously is doing very well on the whole milk.

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J.R.

answers from Washington DC on

I am finishing my degree in dietetics and would like to comment about your milk choice. Whole milk is recommended for use through age 2 because the fat content is important for proper development of certain tissues. After age 2, it is a great idea to transition your child to a lower fat milk to promote a lower saturated fat intake in your child's diet. This will aid your child in developing a heart-healthy lifestyle. You can decide the fat percentage that you'd like your child to have and align your choice with the milk you are already drinking. This way your child will be drinking the same milk as the rest of the family and won't have to make another transition to a different milk later on.

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T.H.

answers from Norfolk on

from 1st birthday to 2nd they should have whole then after that fat free.

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K.P.

answers from Washington DC on

Generally, you should move to reduced fat milk eventually. I think your childs growth is a good gauge as when to change. You mentioned that he is healthy - you should not change if he is under weight or having problems gaining. I have read from various sources, the suggestion to eventually change to reduced fat milk. In the long run it is healthier, lower saturated fat and I think the lower fat might have a little more calc and D. In the long run, it is apart of a healthy diet and sets him on the right track....

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N.S.

answers from Richmond on

H.. I wouln't switch him to reduced fat milk just yet, especially not skim. The pediatrician had explained to me that they need the fat for development (of the brain, I believe he said) as they are still learning a lot of new stuff at this age. I would recommend that you check w/ your Pediatrician, who might tell you to keep him on whole milk for several more years.

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J.H.

answers from Washington DC on

Our pediatrician and those of my friends told us that from age 1 -2 they should drink whole milk. From 2 and older 2% or less... I think in that case it depends on the size of your child.

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D.M.

answers from Norfolk on

Hi! My pediatrician has an easy to follow rule. Whole milk prior to two, two percent at two, and one percent after two. My boys at eight and eleven now get one percent or skim. You can still get the nutrients with just a portion of the fat. Growth hormones, extra antibiotics and pesticides in the feed are no good!

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F.B.

answers from Kansas City on

You have found yourself in the middle of a huge pediatric debate, everyone agress formula/breastmilk until at least 1 yr, and then whole milk, but until when. Many doctors still say 2, which last I check is the American Pediatric Societies official stance, but many doctors are now recommending 3 before taking the lower fat alternatives. The fat in milk is critical for proper brain development, which you and your husband don't need. At your child's age, his metabolism will keep up with the extra calories and in fact he needs them to keep up with the activity and a higher metabolism. People don't want extra calories that don't help, but for your child these calories are important. Because your son is 2.5 yrs old your right in the middle of this debate, going to 2% for a while then to 1% and skim is okay after 5 or 6 yrs will probably be fine, or if you want to be extra safe, stick with the whole for a few more months. Best of Luck!!

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J.N.

answers from Houston on

H.,

I do not see the problem with drinking low fat milk. I switched my kids to skim milk at a young age. My daughter was drinking regular milk longer than our son, but that is because she didn't have as much fat as my son does. I spoke with the Ped at my son's 18 mo checkup (he's 3 now) & asked about switching him to skim. The doc said that as long as he is getting fat from somewhere, it's okay to switch him. Joseph has always been on the chunky side, so that's why it wasn't a problem. My daughter needed the extra fat from milk. If your son has plenty of "health", then it's fine to switch them to low fat milk. God bless!

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S.M.

answers from Washington DC on

At age two, I went to 2% and over that year I adjusted down to 1% and then skim. So that when she was three, she was exclusively skim. Now that she is four, I occasionally give her soy or almond milk to give her some taste variations, as these have different health benefits.

Our pediatrician prefers kids to be on skim, but I do know a lot of people who have a 1% household. The way I look at it is that it is the adults who have the taste preference, but we should help the kids aquire a taste for skim.

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A.N.

answers from Norfolk on

Right now! I switched my children to 2% as soon as they turned 2. And as soon as they turned 3 i switched them to 1%. it's just as good and healthier for them especially if they are drinking more than the recommended amount daily.

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M.L.

answers from Washington DC on

Once your child turns two, you can switch to lower fat milk or skim. Both have more calcium in them anyway, because the fat has been removed.

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C.T.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi,

According to our pediatrician, you can transition your toddler to skim milk at age 2, which is what we did. I think the easiest way to do it, is to just mix (perhaps 50/50 to start) between whole milk and 1 or 2% since there is such a substantical difference in fat contents.

If your child is small, underweight, etc, your peds may recommend keeping your child on full fat milk for a longer period of time, but most every child should be on a lower fat milk after two.

Good luck!

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A.S.

answers from Washington DC on

The only difference is the fat content. Nutritional value should be the same. I would go for the change when you want to stop buying 2 types of milk.

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C.K.

answers from Washington DC on

my son turned 3 earlier this year and at the 3 year appointment the doctor asked me what milk he drank. i said whole. she said to switch him to 2% that the nutritional value was the same. i had him on whole as he was 20% percentile weight at 2 years old. his build is long and lean. she had an interesting point about milk and essentially it will be an easier transition to switch to a lower fat milk when he is younger.

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K.C.

answers from Washington DC on

I switched my oldest from whole to 2% the day he turned 2 and I switched my youngest to 2% around 22 months. He's 25 months now and I actually switch between 2% and 1%. As long as he's average height and weight he'll be fine. If he was underweight I'd say keep him on whole for the calories. I actually switched my oldest back to whole a while back for a couple months because he stopped eating. Good luck to you!

K. - SAHM of 2 boys, 5 and 2

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K.K.

answers from Washington DC on

I know my pediatrician is ok with 2% milk at the age of 2. I believe by 3 they can go lower, but I would guarantee that.

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B.B.

answers from Washington DC on

I have 3 boys. Once each of then turn 1 year old, their pediatrician transferred them from formula to 2% milk. Never had any problelms.
B.
Jessup, MD

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H.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Our pediatrician said it was okay to switch to 2% at 2 years old. We did and our girls have been doing just fine. My hubby and I drink 1% and, on occasion, we have even given it to the girls (they are 2 years and 4 months).

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L.H.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi H.,
Our pediatrician said their is no difference in the vitamin content just the fat content. We switched our children when they were 1. My kids are very tall and very healthy 7 and 9 year olds. If you are still not sure call your doctor to find out. I hope this helps a little. We use strictly skim milk for our family and have never had any issues at all

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S.M.

answers from Washington DC on

My pediatrician had both my children switch to 2 percent at 2 years old. Check with your dr. (always!) but my friends' doctors told them to do the same thing.

C.W.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi H.!

I have to say...I have 7 kids...19 down to 11 yo twins. We ALL drink whole milk!

My doc, when eldest was three was appalled! BUT...they eat a good healthy diet...low fat...and I figure they need fat from somewhere for healthy brain development.

Sooo...I continue to buy FULL FAT milk...and make no apology.

Not one child is obese (in fact, with 16 yo daughter want to get MORE fat in her diet!! LOL)

I don't know...maybe I have become too laid back in my 'old age'...but whole milk it is in THIS house!

TC
Michele/catwalk

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