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2% milk

Addy1227Addy1227 member
in Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
Around what age are we suppose to start 2% milk? My almost 14 month old loves to drink milk, he would drink it all day if he could I feel like. He's always been above average for both height and weight and at his 1 year the ped said to stick to around 16 ounces of milk, which he would drink by 10 am if I let him. So I was thinking if I do 2% then he would be able to drink the amount he likes to. I asked his ped if 2% was okay at this age and she said yes but I know they need the extra fat so I don't know if I should start him on 2% or not. He is a bit of a chunker, was 26 lbs 11 oz at the dr the other day and around 32+".
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Re: 2% milk

  • Starfish+77Starfish+77 member
    My DD only drinks 2% milk. She drinks about 15 oz a day. She seems to like it more than whole milk which she wasn't drinking as much of. Of course everyone is different, but I don't see anything wrong with it as long as she is drinking milk.
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  • Addy1227Addy1227 member
    I'm not going to lie I probably do worry too much but that's because genetics really aren't on his side. SO's whole family is over weight with high blood pressure and high cholesterol so I worry about that for my LO. I read an article about how sometimes it is recommended to start a baby on 2% milk early if they are at a greater risk of high cholesterol.
    I honestly love the little chunker he is but I worry for when he gets older. I also give him water in between meals, there's always a sippy cup of water near him through out the day. He only gets milk with breakfast lunch and dinner but when he finishes his cup he hands it back and wants more, at that point I usually hand him a sippy with water.
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  • Starfish+77Starfish+77 member
    I can empathize with you although I'm sure we'll both probably get flamed because I worry about that stuff too :-) DD is almost 26 lbs and pretty much will eat anything I put in front of her and then want more. But I was a huge chunker as a toddler and eventually thinned out. I think my DD will be ok as long as grandma isn't feeding her on a regular basis LOL
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  • Addy1227Addy1227 member
    @Starfish+77 Yeah I'm not necessarily concerned with his weight as much as I worry about his cholesterol when he's older.  And as I write this it seems so silly but I still can't help but be concerned sometimes. SO is 23 with high cholesterol, obviously eating habits are a big contributor to this but his mom and dad have it as well as some immediate family on my side.
    But he does eat a well balanced diet, well for the most part. SO has had some pretty weird dinner combinations like salmon and a waffle? That sounds gross to me.
    @pb_bride thank you for the article link!
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  • jnnfrrose6jnnfrrose6 member
    DS is a chunker too.  We just try to break up his milk intake with water and keep the milk to meals only so he doesn't over do it.  The only time he doesn't get WCM is when we've run out and it's too late or early to get to the store.  Then he'll get the other milk we keep at home for me and DH.
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  • Addy1227Addy1227 member
    @LalaMama81 I do not limit LO's food/water intake what so ever, although I am concerned about his future cholesterol which is ridiculous I know. If he's still thirsty after his serving of milk I give him water and he controls what he eats; the only thing I do during meal times is put the food on his plate. I thought if I did 2% milk than it'd be okay if he drank more milk than the pediatrician's recommended amount, that's all. I know he loves his milk so I was just trying to find a loop hole where he could drink more. I appreciate your opinion and have decided to stick to the WCM, like you said he can't drink it if I don't offer it.
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  • SportyChic24SportyChic24 member
    My DS is a big guy... I doubled checked with the doctor and was told to keep him on the whole milk until at least 2. Weight does not really matter the most important thing for keeping them on whole milk is for brain development - that is what I was told.
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  • BLPL101BLPL101 member
    edited February 2014
    I was just watching the news yesterday and they were saying how the latest studies show that people who drink whole milk are actually thinner than those who drink low fat because the whole milk fills you up so you actually eat less. I thought that was interesting!
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  • hollygb22hollygb22 member

    Our pedi recommended 2% at 12 months. I transitioned her from BF to 2%. We were asked what types of solids she was eating and outlined her diet and the doc recommended 2% since she was eating plenty of healthy fats.

    I feel like about half my friends with kids the same age are on 2% the other half on WCM. We went with our doctor's recommendation.

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  • RedDDDRedDDD member
    DS has never been on whole milk.  We tried 2% right away per our Pedi's recommendation (DS was a HUGE baby) and then realized he had an intolerance to it so he has been on Almond milk for the last year.  He turns 2 in April.
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  • RN2011RN2011 member
    I was told by our Pedi to give her whole milk for about 1-1/2 years and then if we wanted we could switch her to 2%. She's currently 13 months and has 16oz of milk.
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  • Addy1227Addy1227 member
    Thank you all for your input and advice! Some of this I did not know, like too much milk can inhibit iron absorption. I will stick to whole milk until he's at least 2 and just offer water if he wants more.
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  • veetveetveetveet member
    BLPL101 said:

    I was just watching the news yesterday and they were saying how the latest studies show that people who drink whole milk are actually thinner than those who drink low fat because the whole milk fills you up so you actually eat less. I thought that was interesting!

    Lower fat milk also has more sugar/carbs in it. Whole milk is more nutritious.
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  • fusionbridefusionbride member
    theresat858 said:
    LalaMama81 said:
    No, I wouldn't give 2% regularly at that age. I think you are worrying too much about him being a "chunker." He can't drink it if you don't offer it. So split the 16 oz into 3 or 4 cups and don't let him drink it all in the AM. He needs to drink water, too. 
    This.

    I'd offer water before milk and just cut back on the milk in general rather than switch to 2%.  No, switching to 2% doesn't mean your LO can just drink more of it -- too much milk inhibits iron absorption, whether it's skim or whole.
    this-- you have to limit the amount of milk so that he eats enough food-- kids who drink a ton of milk have higher rates of iron deficiency.
    So stick to the recommended 16oz.  whether it is whole or 2% won't affect the amount he should be drinking in a day.
    I'd bring up your cholesterol concern at your next well-check with your doctor so they can explain what is best for your child given his medical history/risk

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  • Meery82Meery82 member
    Starfish+77 said:
    I can empathize with you although I'm sure we'll both probably get flamed because I worry about that stuff too :-) DD is almost 26 lbs and pretty much will eat anything I put in front of her and then want more. But I was a huge chunker as a toddler and eventually thinned out. I think my DD will be ok as long as grandma isn't feeding her on a regular basis LOL

    Only an idiot would flame you for being concerned for your child's future health.

    I agree with PPs. They gave good advice.
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  • libra31libra31 member
    I'd switch to 2% if you pedi said it was ok, especially if he's a good milk drinker and eater.  Mine did too.  This is my 4th kiddo and I usually switch around 18mo to eliminate buying another kind of milk.  8g fat in whole, 5g in 2%.  Therefore if he's drinking 2 8oz cups of whole he's getting 16g fat.  If he drinks 3 8oz cups of 2% he's getting 15g.  That 1g isn't going to make a difference and you can give him a 3rd cup.
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  • MommyAttyMommyAtty member
    My DD's tummy is sensitive to whole milk, so she's always been on 2%. Our pedi just said to ensure she gets healthy fat elsewhere. She gets a lot of butter and olive oil. And the kid can eat her (very low) weight in full-fat cheese, which for whatever reason she can tolerate. So it isn't like switching to 2% is tantamount to feeding your LO rat poison. I would just ask if it's ok.
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