Switching to Cows Milk

personally if I were going to drink cows milk, I would only buy organic. there's stuff that is fed to commercial, non organic farms cows so that they produce more milk. It's not just the hormones and antibiotics that you don't want to consume, it's the stuff they are not telling you about.

Unless you are into buying organic, I buy regular vitamin D milk. I believe it is called whole milk in contrast to the 1% and 2% milk available.

Whole milk is the milk without any fat taken out, so it is not skim, not 1% and not2%. It often costs a few pennies more than 2%.

Hi T.,

It looks like your question is pretty much answered, but I wanted to add a little more info regarding the organic vs. non-organic question.

Certainly, organic milk is more expensive than it's conventional counterpart, but when it comes to your child, it is likely the best bet. The hormones and pesticides that are used in conventional dairy production are carried in the fat - so even if the FDA does not find any significance between the cows who have not been treated with the rGBH hormone and those who have, the diet of the two cows is very different.

Many industrial dairy "farms" - where most of conventional dairy is produced - are in fact large factories where cows spend almost their entire lives inside, attached to milking machines. The cows are given the growth hormone rGBH, which artificially mimics the milk-producing hormone thus swelling the cows udders - it also increases the risk of birth defects in the calves. The cows are artificially impregnated once a year to ensure continuous milk production - can you imagine lactating for seven months out of the year, and being pregnant every year? No wonder many cows suffer from mastitis! The calves in these factories are given a milk-replacement formula that includes, in part, cow's blood (no joke!), which of course is a transmitter of brain-wasting diseases (like mad cow). A cow eating a normal grass diet could not produce milk at the abnormal levels expected on modern dairies, and so today's dairy cows must be given high energy feeds. The unnaturally rich diet causes metabolic disorders including ketosis, which can be fatal, and laminitis, which causes lameness. When pesticides are used in the in the high-energy feed, many are fat soluble, which means that they are concentrated and carried in the fat, and therefore traces remain, and then accumulate in the body of your child (this process is called biological magnification). And where does all the waste go that these crammed together cows produce? Well, right there. The massive amount of urine and fecal matter can only be carted off to a short distance, and then of course these such a huge amount of it that it affects the health of not only the cows, but the residents who are unfortunate enough to live nearby. And of course no cow wants to live in such terrible conditions, and so the life span of a dairy cow in a factory farm is 2-4 years, (instead of a usual 25 years) when its milk production lessens and is thought less valuable and slaughtered for meat - that's like a human only living until she's 8!

Organic milk, on the other hand, actually does come from family-owned farms, which are much smaller in scale. The cows are fed an organic diet, which contains to harmful pesticides, and many are not treated with rGBH. The reason that it costs more is that many of these farms are really owned by individual families, who work hard to provide the consumer with a quality product. Large-scale companies can afford to charge less, since they are producing so much more.

Sorry to go on for so long, but I think that there are many myths surrounding the food that we eat - I'd like to think that the things I consume come from happy family farms - but unfortunately, that's not always the case. It almost sounds unreal, but you can certainly find a lot of information out there about this subject, and check out the facts for yourself.

So good job going organic so far! I hope that you are able to make it work for longer, and even consider it for yourself, since you are a wonderful, valuable mom! The bottom line should never be financial (but I know how it can seem to be at times!), but should focus on what's best for you and your dear little one. Good luck!

Warmly,

~L. d
Evanston

The "whole" refers to the amount of fat in the milk. It's recommended that children up to 2 years of age get whole milk rather than 2%, 1% or skim. This helps with brain development and function. Organic is going to be more expensive, but I personally wouldn't give my kids anything other than organic dairy products. It's one of the few things that I would skimp on in my budget. We have friends whose kids were huge milk drinkers (not organic) and their pediatrician is pretty sure that her early development (developed at 9 years old!) was because of all the hormones in the milk. I just make sure to cut out coupons and watch for specials on organic when I can.

Whole milk means that all the milkfat remains.

2% and skim milk are the same as regular milk, nutrient-wise, expect for the fat content.

The only thing I'd add is that after age 2, unless there is a weight problem, I've read the child should go to 2% or 1% (not skim) as they still need the fat for nerve development (until about age 7, I believe). But definitely need the whole until 2 years.

My opinion,

Stick with anything Organic. Toxins like to store in FAT, since you are purchasing whole milk, with all the fat in the milk, you might be better off sticking with the more expensive, knowing that there aren't any additional hormones etc that is accompanying the milk. We are all exposed to so many toxins on a regular basis, better to eliminate some where you have control.

My doctor gave us the go ahead to give our son skim milk. He said that if your child is eating cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, ice cream, butter, etc. that your child does not need all that extra fat. Whole milk is skim milk with all the fat. Children do not need all that extra fat. Taking the fat away does not take away the vitamins in any way. All milk has the the same vitamins and minerals in it. It is just that skim does not have any butter fat (cream). I know many will disagree but my son is now 17 (will be 18 years old in 2 weeks) and he is very healthy and has strong teeth and bones. He has drank skim milk from the time he started him on milk and he still drink about 3 gallons a week. Of course he is 6' 2" tall and 185 lbs. He needs his milk.

Milk never is over 5% cream/butter fat. The only cows that really produces a lot of cream in there milk is Jersey's cow. The little brown cows. Holsteins do not produce alot of cream or butter fat like the Jerseys or Brown Swiss do. Holsteins just product a large volume of milk. Years ago farmers were paid a lot more money for milk that had a higher concentration of cream or butter fat in it. Because it was needed to make butter, creams and so on. But now with margerine and butter alternatives dairies like to have farms that have cow that produce higher volumes of milk not higher volume of cream/butter fat. Can you tell I grew up on a dairy farm that had Registered Jersey cows.

Oberweis is great milk and if you live in town you can get it delivered right to your house. There cows are all organically feed. You can also by it at the store.

S.

T....not sure of different brands being better than others (these moms seem to know!) but one reason I have learned that pediatricians want kids to use whole milk over 2% up to 2 yrs of age is because whole milk has a higher fat content and supposedly supports brain development. That's what I have heard! Best of luck.

Yes, vitamin D milk is whole milk, however you might want to consider sticking with the organic. Hormones found in non-organic milk have led to an epidemic of early puberty in females and lowered fertility in males. Milk and meat/poultry/etc. are the two foods it is most important to go organic with, since they are the highest on the food chain. They contain all the hormones the farmers give the animals, as well as chemicals in the non-organic food they are eating. I know organic is more expensive, but if the public demands it, more companies will have to make the switch and the price should lower once supply is higher. Your little girl is worth it too :O)

Vitamin D milk is fine. I use the horizons organic milk for my 13 month old. I know it is expensive, but if you'll notice it lasts a lot longer and organic milk is way more healthy than regular milk. They feed the cows way better, so the milk ends up having a lot more nutrition. Just how if you breastfed, the healthier you ate, the better your milk was. If you could afford it, organic milk is a splurge you should consider.

Buy organic if you can. It can be expensive but if you belong to Sams or Costco, you can get it there. Or we buy our from Trader Joes. Organic milk has no hormones. I give my little girl reduced fat milk. Whole milk is more fattening.

Hi T.,
The "regular" milk (not organic) sold under the Whole Foods 365 and Trader Joe's labels is from cows not treated with hormones. It's not considered "organic" by USDA definition because the feed for the cows or pastures where they graze may not be 100% organic. Since hormone-free milk is important to me, but not necessarily that it's 100% organic, I buy the Whole Foods or Trader Joe's non-organic brands. It's significantly less expensive than organic (around $3.69/gallon, I think).

Whole milk is a good option for toddlers over age 12 months who aren't breastfeeding and who aren't drinking a toddler formula. According to the AAP, in their Guide To Your Child's Nutrition, these 'young children need calories from fat for growth and brain development,' and 'this is especially important in the first 2 years of life.'

Once she turns 2 years old, you should switch her to 2% milk. Here's the difference in calories:

Whole Milk - 150 Calories - 8g Fat
2% Milk - 120 Calories - 4.5g Fat

It's a good idea to buy the Horizon's Organic whole milk b/c it doesn't have added hormones, etc. We usually buy ours at Costco where it's a little cheaper than the local grocery store. We also get the Horizon organic with the Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) is an Omega-3 fatty acid, a nutrient that helps support development of the brain, nervous system. I hope this helps!

I think it is vitamin D. Plus my doctor told me that the fat in the whole milk is needed for their brain development.

Try Trader Joe's private label gallons of milk. Also, yogurt is easier on their tummies--TJ's sells big containers of organic yogurt.

"whole" refers to the fat content of the milk. there is no need to get whole milk, however, if you have other good fats in your daughter's diet like avacado or coconut oil. babies need up to 50% of their calories from fat from birth to about age 2. the suggestion for whole fat dairy products is because of the non-fat/low-fat craze in other foods.

just fyi, as far as organics go, milk, meat, eggs and butter are where you want to STAY organic because of the increased amounts of hormones/antibiotics/pesticides etc that are compiled in those things. if you have to cut corners to save, it's better to do so with fruits/veggies. switching from organic to regular milk can also cause reactions in people who are otherwise not allergic because of the increased amount of "stuff" in the milk.

Whole milk as the other mom's have stated has a higher fat content which is essential to brain development. From the age of one until two doctors and nutritionist recommend your child have whole milk. After two unless your child's doctor says otherwise you can change to 2%, 1% or skim milk.

i don't think anyone has mentioned this but if you go to dominicks or jewel and read the label it states on their brands that their milk is also hormone free. the regular milk non organic brands no longer contain hormones(bgh).

If your child is not a picky eater, as mine were not, it was recomended by more than one doctor(had different docs when #2 came along) that b/c they were eating well and healthy that 2% until 12-18 mos then go to skim. There is no difference in nutritional value just fat content. I am not totally sold on organic as regular milk has such strict guidelines it has to follow to be on the shelf. I have found that Target brand milk in my area stays around 2.69/2.79 and can be cheaper at the grocery when on sale. Good Luck!

Whole milk has the highest fat content. Your daughter needs more fat for her growing brain.
I would stick with organic or at least hormone free milk like Oberweiss. Target often has their organic brand on sale.

Vitamin D. My 13 month has been on since the about the same time is your child:) It has tons of vitamins and is just as good as formuala.

Whole milk is the one labeled "Vitamin D" and that's all. (The others say 2%, lowfat, etc.) A lot of places it is the red topped gallon.

I do personally try to buy the hormone-free milk, although I do not think organic is necessary. We usually buy at Meijer which is hormone-free, although I will admit to buying Aldi's if Meijer's isn't on sale. There wasn't "hormone free" when my kids were babies, so I don't get too worked up that they're drinking poison if they drink Aldi's milk.

Vitamin D milk is whole milk. If you look in the store your options should be skim, 1%, 2% and whatever is left is whole. You can also check the fat content on the label and the one with the highest fat content is whole. Some companies put A&D vitamins in it, but I believe most of them are just labeled as Vitamin D milk.

Prairie Farms is hormone-free (so says my dairy farmer FIL who sells to them, and can't use hormones in order to do so).

I buy the gallon of whole milk from costco it is 2.89? or 2.99 for a gallon and is growth hormone free. Hope that helps.

Whole milk is vitamin D milk. It is the milk with the red cap. But when giving it to your child you want to wean them off of formula otherwise they could get sick. The first week only put 1 ounce of the whole milk in with their formula. And every week after that just keep adding an ounce, but make sure as you are adding the ounce of whole milk you are decreasing an ounce of formula.

The reason the milk you are buying is so expensive is because it is organic. Everything organic costs more. Try your store's brand of Whole milk. This is generally called Vitamin D milk. 2% is the next level down (I think this is the same as Vit D & A), then skim.

One additional note: a factor that might play into your decision of the brand you purchase is hormones. A lot of cows are given hormones for various reasons, and this can be passed through their milk. No one is sure right now how these hormones might affect our children, but certain studies have been done that suggest effects on weight and possibly fertility. One brand that does not use hormone-treated cows is Oberwiess, but I am guessing that organic brands do not use them either. May be a good reason to keep buying what you've been buying, despite the added cost. : )

T. -

Whole milk is just milk that has all the natural milkfat in it. Milkfat is about 4% of the milk. Different amounts of the milkfat have been removed to make 2%, 1% and skim milk. Most brands sell all four types of milk. Whole milk is recommended for small children.

Any milk can be vitamin D or A milk. That means these vitamins are added. Most brands add these vitamins to the different milk types they sell.

No matter the density, all milk has the same vitamens, just less fat

Hi T.,

I would definitely stay with the horizons whole milk...whole milk is good for the child, but the organic milk is a major difference. The organic milk is hormone free and antibiotic free so the cows are not fed any of these...I would also add organic meat into the program if you can afford it. I know how much more expensive these things are, but a lot of people question why there 9 yr old got her period...well hormones in the milk are a major concern and has been for years. Also the antibiotics are a major problem bc of the resistant bacterias we are continuing to run into now. I hope that helps and I agree it is very expensive, but there are some things that are just worth it!!

Whole milk has more fat in it than 2% or skim. All milk has the same vitamins. Organic milk is alot healthier because it doesn't contain bovine growth hormone or BGH. This genetically engineered drug is supposed to stimulate milk production in the cow, and is passed on when the cow is milked, for at least 6 or 7 milkings. This BGH hormone is than consumed by whoever drinks the milk. BGH isn't used on cows that are used for producing organic milk. Organic milk is more expensive, but it is definetly worth it, especially if it's for your kids.

Whole, 2%, 1% and Skim - or as they call it now, Fat Free, all refers to the fat content.
Whole Milk - 150 Calories - 8g Fat
2% Milk - 120 Calories - 4.5g Fat
1% Milk - 100 Calories - 2.5g Fat
Skim Milk - 80 Calories - 0g Fat

They all have the same vitamin requirements set forth by the FDA.

Here's a great article that goes into further detail about switching your baby/toddler from formula/breast milk to cow's milk.
http://pediatrics.about.com/od/milk/i/05_milk_2.htm

T., yes it is just regular vitamin D milk. In our area, it has a red cap. The milk starts out skim, goes to one percent, then two percent and then whole. I do believe it just says vitamin D milk on the label, may also state "whole". And, brands dont matter, milk is all milk, unless you are partial to organics, all milks have to pass certain criteria in the US, so any of it is fine! Have fun!