Regular vs. Organic Milk

cindeegal

Which are you giving your LO and why? We go to the pedi for B's 12 month appt today and I plan to discuss it with her bought thought I'd see what others are doing and why. TIA!

ETA: and if organic, what brand/store? I'm leaning toward organic but not sure if brand matters. 

smilelari

Organic - too many hormones in regular

JennRN65

We are an organic household.  I just don't think we need the added hormones, antibiotics, or pesticides.

It costs a bit more but for us it all came down to what our particular priorities were.

We aren't rabid about it, we do go out to eat and I've been known to partake in DQ on occasion but I'd say 80% of our diets are organic.

katypresson

We have been giving DS organic whole milk.  It's the only thing I buy organic.  Why?  Because we can afford it and it doesn't (or shouldn't) have growth hormones, pesticides, and antibiotics. 

BengalBelle

We buy non-organic from a local dairy.  They're American Humane certified and have a seal of sustainability.  It's rBGH-free but when their cows get sick, they do remove them from production and treat them with antibiotics (which, if they were organic, they couldn't do).  When the cows test free of antibiotics, they return them to production. I'm okay with sick cows being treated.  Sometimes bad things are done in the name of being "organic". I think whichever kind of milk you choose, it's best to know about what's going on to provide that milk.  

Ivana_Stolichnaya

smilelari:

Organic - too many hormones in regular

This

nmr79

We all drink organic (skim for DH and I, whole for DD).  It lasts longer, and it's worth it not to have extra hormones/antibiotics. 

We try to stick with organic produce and meat as well (when we're at home), but if we're out, I don't worry too much about it.

fairychick77

organic....no added hormones or antibiotics

ETA: We usually buy TJ, Harris Teeter or Wild Harvest brand milk

ivs112

We give DD non-hormone, non-antibiotic treated whole milk.

kes3237

Healthier cows produce healthier milk.  Therefore, I only buy dairy and meat that come from pasture-fed cows who are not given any hormones or antibiotics.  Organic milk can easily come from an industrial farm where cows are given feed, not grass (albeit organic feed) and cows never see the light of day.  There are a lot of small dairy farms that have ethical and healthy practices.  Try this:  https://www.cornucopia.org/dairysurvey/index.html

I would also recommend doing your own research rather than talking to your pedi...

MnM7608

I buy the organic milk, but the brand just depends on what store I'm in.  I prefer Horizon or Trader Joe's.

kes3237

MnM7608:

I buy the organic milk, but the brand just depends on what store I'm in.  I prefer Horizon or Trader Joe's.

https://www.cornucopia.org/dairysurvey/FarmID_134.html

https://www.cornucopia.org/dairysurvey/FarmID_127.html

Just something to consider.

sharrow

I was just at a class last night given by Mort Berenson, a butcher for 30 years in Faneuil Hall, Boston.

He, an avid lover of meat, and meat products, was pretty adamant when it came to hormones. He said if you had young children, make every effort to keep them out of their diet.  And milk was the worst offender.

We buy organic.  Usually what is on sale.  Unless it is Horizon.  I don't like them.

sharrow

kes3237:

Healthier cows produce healthier milk.  Therefore, I only buy dairy and meat that come from pasture-fed cows who are not given any hormones or antibiotics.  Organic milk can easily come from an industrial farm where cows are given feed, not grass (albeit organic feed) and cows never see the light of day.  There are a lot of small dairy farms that have ethical and healthy practices.  Try this:  https://www.cornucopia.org/dairysurvey/index.html

I would also recommend doing your own research rather than talking to your pedi...

Thanks for the link.  Nice to see that the two brands I usually buy (whole foods and Organic Valley) got good ratings.

SportyMrs.23

Organic- I buy the Sunnyside brand.

https://www.cornucopia.org/dairysurvey/index.html

Soap1

I thought Horizon typically got bad ratings?

I buy Borden milk.  It isn't organic, but it is hormone-free!  It's a lot cheaper than organic too.

cindeegal

Wow this is a lot of information - thanks so much, especially for the links. Now I guess I need to find somewhere to buy the best brands. Thanks again!

smilelari

kes3237:

Healthier cows produce healthier milk.  Therefore, I only buy dairy and meat that come from pasture-fed cows who are not given any hormones or antibiotics.  Organic milk can easily come from an industrial farm where cows are given feed, not grass (albeit organic feed) and cows never see the light of day.  There are a lot of small dairy farms that have ethical and healthy practices.  Try this:  https://www.cornucopia.org/dairysurvey/index.html

I would also recommend doing your own research rather than talking to your pedi...

That link is very helpful, but with something like Organic Valley that uses various family farms, wouldn't the ratings have to vary?  That's what we've been buying, but the milk actually comes from farmers in the immediate area which seems like it would make it difficult to rate.  Just not sure where to get the best info.

I've also bough Archer Farms Organic in a pinch.  Not sure where that milk comes from at all....

kennifer7

we buy the kroger brand organic milk.  its about 2 dollars cheaper than the horizon brand.

2-Step

We do all organic dairy some organic fruits/veggies. I'm not very good about the meat though. I should be better, but neither LO or I eat much meat. DH does though.

kmh2201

I give DS organic milk.  I grew up drinking regular milk, but I want my LO's to have more natural food.  I just want to avoid the hormones, antibiotics, etc. that regular milk has.

I just buy the store brand organic milk (Meijer).

SportyMrs.23

smilelari:

kes3237:

Healthier cows produce healthier milk.  Therefore, I only buy dairy and meat that come from pasture-fed cows who are not given any hormones or antibiotics.  Organic milk can easily come from an industrial farm where cows are given feed, not grass (albeit organic feed) and cows never see the light of day.  There are a lot of small dairy farms that have ethical and healthy practices.  Try this:  https://www.cornucopia.org/dairysurvey/index.html

I would also recommend doing your own research rather than talking to your pedi...

That link is very helpful, but with something like Organic Valley that uses various family farms, wouldn't the ratings have to vary?  That's what we've been buying, but the milk actually comes from farmers in the immediate area which seems like it would make it difficult to rate.  Just not sure where to get the best info.

I've also bough Archer Farms Organic in a pinch.  Not sure where that milk comes from at all....

Archer farms is listed on the link...toward the bottom...1 cow rating.

pink.dutch.tulips

no question, organic, store brand

the sole reason i'm going the organic route is the hormones and steroids they put into milk, too many studies are pointing the finger at the added hormones in milk to early onset puberty in girls. i will GLADLY pay practically double for organic milk if that means my dd doesn't start puberty at 7 or 8.

SusieQ1982

Definitely organic.

mrs. remy

You know you can buy conventional milk without hormones in it, if that is what you are worried about. Contrary to what the organic industry would have you believe regular milk is not "pumped full of hormones, pesticides, and antibiotics". If a cow is treated with antibiotics in a conventional dairy they are kept out of production until the antibiotic leaves their system. Milk is regularly tested for antibiotic residue. If a cow in an organic dairy has to be treated with an antibiotic it can't be used for milk again. So they are often slaughtered.

I am all for organic food and buy it whenever possible but there is a lot of bad information out there.

TSD

Organic. Usually use Horizon with DHA or Shop Rite.  But, I'll take what's there- Organic Valley, Stoneyfield, etc.

Reason: Hormones

Lizard2022

mrs. remy :

You know you can buy conventional milk without hormones in it, if that is what you are worried about. Contrary to what the organic industry would have you believe regular milk is not "pumped full of hormones, pesticides, and antibiotics". If a cow is treated with antibiotics in a conventional dairy they are kept out of production until the antibiotic leaves their system. Milk is regularly tested for antibiotic residue. If a cow in an organic dairy has to be treated with an antibiotic it can't be used for milk again. So they are often slaughtered.

I am all for organic food and buy it whenever possible but there is a lot of bad information out there.

I just posted about this.  I really don't understand people giving hormones as a reason.

nolebride

BengalBelle:

We buy non-organic from a local dairy.  They're American Humane certified and have a seal of sustainability.  It's rBGH-free but when their cows get sick, they do remove them from production and treat them with antibiotics (which, if they were organic, they couldn't do).  When the cows test free of antibiotics, they return them to production. I'm okay with sick cows being treated.  Sometimes bad things are done in the name of being "organic". I think whichever kind of milk you choose, it's best to know about what's going on to provide that milk.  

 

Pretty much the same with us except the "local" farm is actually in Ohio. It's the best milk ever. It goes from the cow to the store shelf in 72 hrs. https://www.snowvillecreamery.com/ If you're in Ohio or a nearby state, check it out.