Chocolate Milk

I never heard that it was "dangerous" and did hear that it was better to have them drink chocolate than no milk at all.

Just curious where you heard this one? My little guy drinks chocolate milk now and then and doesn't have a problem with it. It's a treat for him. I am sure your little one will be fine especially if you give it in moderation.

I've never heard that one before, but if it was true, I'm pretty sure 3 out of my 4 kids would be dead by now :) Ask your pediatrician about that one, he/she may smile.
Bio-previous Nanny/pre-school teacher/Mom of 4 -ages 13,10,8 & 4.

I can asure you it is perfectly safe :) however I would hold off on any sugar other then natural sugars ( juice, fruit, etc.) until they are at least 2. My daughter is 3 and once in a while her treat will be choc. milk but I put in just enough to color the milk because I'm not crazy about the sugar but it is absolutely harmless to give even before two if that's what you chose to do, as long as your child is able to drink and can tolerate milk fine it is safe, the dairy would be what is in question in this case. hope that helps :)

S.,

Why? Do you or your spouse have food allergies/intolerances which include milk or chocolate? I hadn't heard this, my kids have chocolate milk and they sometimes make it at the preschool they attend.

R.

My daughter drinks soy milk... and loves the vanilla, or very vanilla soy... no added sugar etc. Much more healthy. I don't drink soy milk, but really enjoy the very vanilla soy! There is also chocolate soy milk with is supposedly healthier than traditional chocolate milk. I have not, however, heard that Chocolate milk should not be given to children under 4.

I had heard it was okay once the child was 12 mos. I occassionally give my son (now almost 4) the no sugar added fat free choc milk mixed 50% with skim milk. He doesn't know the difference.

I've got 4 boys and they all had their first taste of chocolate milk when they were one, and have been drinking it ever since. I've never heard of chocolate milk being a problem with little ones unless they have an allery. :)

That is false. True that children do not need any added sugar to their diet but it is not harmful. There is a small amount of caffeine in chocolate but it should not be dangerous. I give my son small amounts of chocolate milk. Of course any child under the age of one should not have milk and still be getting formula or breast milk! Otherwise enjoy the treat.

I can't confirm if it's true but my aunt, whom has an 18month old, told me that is what her pediatrition told her. My son whom will be 2 in 2 weeks had it when he turned one, and we haven't had any problems.

I gave my daughter chocolate milk after age 2. I just buy regular white milk and add the powder to make it chocolate, either Ovaltine or the Nestle one. I don't make it full strength, just about half of what the directions say. The powder mix also has added vitamins!

I have never heard that. if it is true it would be not giving them too much of the chocolate part as it would have caffeine in it and that woudl make sense.
L. M