Milk Debate

Sorry I am going to have to side with hubby on this one(lol). My family also drinks 2%milk and everyone is healthy!!! I know it's a shock, but they(husbands) are actually right every now and a blue moon(lol).

I had to read your question a few times and I'm still confused on who needs the whole milk here. Surely not your new baby. I shudder to think that's the case. Breastmilk or formula only for the first 6 months. Solids can be introduced at 6 months (earlier is no longer recommended). And whole milk and whole milk products between age 1 and 2. The reasoning behind the whole milk is not the calories or calcium, it's the fat for her developing brain, not fat used to fatten her up. Click on the links below for more info on whole milk and what the first year should look like:

Is it safe to use cow's milk or other milks as a supplement to breastfeeding?
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/milk/milk-supplements.html

Calorie and fat content of various milks
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/milk/milkcalories.html

First Foods
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/first-foods.html

after age 2 it is fine to give them 2%. and hubby is right, if she's eating whole milk yogurt and whole fat cheese, then that will make up the diaetary fat difference. if she's a good size girl ,then she really doesn't need the extra calories from the whole milk. i am still giving my daughter whole milk becasue she's very petite and has a very high metabolism, but i'll probably switch her over soon. does your family qualify for WIC in your town. it really helps take the burden off the grocery bill since it pays for milk, eggs, cheese, juice, cereal, beans or peanut butter, infant formula and juice, and infat cereal. we wouldn't be able to afford groceries if it weren't getting WIC.

You're not giving the baby whole milk are you? Infants shouldnt drink milk until 12 months of age, and then it should be whole milk until age 2 and 2% or skim after. I do recommend organic milk if possible, it has a longer shelf life, but should be used within 7 days of opening.

I'd ask the pediatrician - they'd be honest with you on your options about how the whole v/s 2% works for developmental purposes. Good luck.

are you buying the whole milk for your 4 year old? if you are, she's plenty old enough to switch to 2%, or even 1% or skim if that's what your family drinks. from age 1, when they are "done" with formula or breast milk, you switch to whole milk. at age 2, they are ready for whatever kind of milk your family drinks, and it's not neccessary to buy different milk at that point. you're right, the fat in whole milk helps with brain development, but only up to a certain point; then you're just giving her extra fat, calories, and sugar. but, you could also tell your husband, it doesn't matter if you're buying a gallon of whole and a gallon of 2%, or 2 gallons of 2% if it's all getting used-- and if it's not, you could buy half gallons, or whatever. and as far as the cheese and yogurt goes, if it's not made with whole milk, it doesn't count towards that. either way, good luck with whatever you decide!

My ped told me that 2% is just fine.

I only have one thing (well question actually) to add to this. If you are buying 2 gallons, 1 2% and 1 whole, are you having to pour any out because it goes out of date? If you are, my suggestion is to buy organic. I know organic is more expensive, but it stays good usually 2 to 3 weeks longer than regular milk. So if you are having to pour milk out, it might be more cost-effective to buy milk that will stay good longer. I buy the Horizon whole milk for my 12 month old.

when my dd turned 2 in march the WIC office told me to quit giving her whole milk, actually on my wic checks and hers we don't get whole anyways.

Here is what I've heard from pediatricians:
From birth to 1 year old: breastmilk and or formula
1 year old to 2 years old: whole milk (and I guess breastmilk for those over-achievers out there...)
after 2 years old: 2% or 1% or fat free. My doc actually recommended fat free (my son is in the 30th percentile), because at this point he apparently doesn't need the extra fat for his development.
Good luck.

I would ask your doctor, then you can say the DOCTOR said. But my little one (now 4) when he was 1 years old due to his consipation and love for milk, the doctor said he was drinking too much milk and told me NOT to give him whole milk, go back to 2%. But I am lucky, all 5 of us can drink 2% or whole, they aren't very picky about milk.
Good Luck!
A.

I believe that if she is healthy and eats good, such as her fruits ans veggies, than 2 % milk is ok. She can get her vitamins somewhere else. I am a peds nurse and we have alot of babies on that. Good luck J.

Our Doc said that they need whole milk till they are 2 . We buy organic whole milk for our 16 months old, and organic skim milk for our 3 year old.:)