Did you stop giving whole milk at age 2?

I thought I read somewhere that you were suppose to stop giving whole milk when your kids turn 2 years old and switch to low fat milk. But when we were in for the kids 2 year check up and I asked the pediatrician about this, she said "no, continue giving them whole milk." She also wants them to get whole milk cheese and yogurt. My kids aren't underweight, they're in the 50th percentile, so I don't think the pediatrician wants them on the whole milk because of their weight. Things were so hectic during the check up that I didn't ask her more about this, but now I'm wondering. Did you switch milk at age 2?

thanks,
thea

 

We stopped and went to 2% when the twins were 22 months old. Michael really did need all of that fat, Mikayla could have still gone longer on whole milk. My MIL is a retired nurse, and she said it was ok.

Bridget

 

We stopped at 2. My pedi said that a typical American child has enough other sources of fat in the diet that there is no need to continue whole milk past age 2. (This would not apply, for instance, to children on a vegetarian diet, or possibly other restricted diets.)

ETA: forgot the world "whole," had just put "no need for milk past 2." :blush:

 

We stuck with it until they were around 3. Our ped said at 2 that we could give them anything but skim, and since I was still buying 2 types of milk anyway, I didn't see the need to switch. Mine were also in the 50th %ile.

 

I still give whole milk and they are over age 3. My pedi said it was ok, bc of their weight. I will switch them to 2 % in the fall.

 

We kept our oldest on whole milk until about 2 1/2 because her height was in the 80th percentile and her weight was around the 30th and he wanted to try and get her more balanced all around. She's now 80th height and 50th weight, so she's on 2%.

 

Kayla still gets whole milk at age 6, she is a peanut so I have just carried on with what I know she will drink. Kyle chooses the milk he would like, either 1% or skim.

 

My kids both cried through most of their 2-year checkup, so I forgot to ask the doctor about this too. But yes, we switched to 2% milk at that time. They are both average for weight and are pretty decent eaters, so it seemed harmless at least.

 

There was a study done a few years ago that recommend keeping children up to teenagers on whole milk for the fat content relating to brain development. I understand about the obesity issue, the only reason to really switch but brain development is more important to me. I will add that my children are on a vegetarian diet and eat very healthy foods but we do eat pizza and junk food on occasion. I think the quality of fat is more important as well as that amount of intake.

 

It is reccommended to give only 2% after 2, but I just give whatever I happen to buy.

 

My girls are at the 50th percentile for height but the heaviest of the two is only at the 8th percentile for weight. The pedi wanted us to keep them on whole milk until we go in for a shot at 2 1/2 and we'll see if their weight has gone up or not.

 

We are lucky if we hit the 7-10%ile range for both height & weight...so we'll be staying on whole milk indefinately.

Mommy has gotten quite comfortable with whole milk...Only DH drinks the nonfat now. :blush:

 

No, we still do whole milk. Everyone else drinks skim. I serve my 6yr old both.

 

We went to 2% around 2.5.

 

At 2, I asked and he said they could drink whatever we drink (which is 1%). I decided to keep going with the whole milk. Meghan was in the 1% for weight and Nolan was under 50%, so I didn't think it would hurt.

 

My first three were on whole until baby #4 turned 2. Then they all went to fat free.

 

I haven't stopped with mine - but they are 25th percentile and skinny little things so...I don't think its bad if you stop - you kids are obviously fine. If they want whole milk then keep it going - if they can't tell the difference, then drop down to 2% - but dont worry too much about it. Their little bodies know what is needed just like yours does(and did when you were preggos).

 

I gave mine whole milk until about 2.5 and now they get 2%. The pedi said they could have any kind after 2 though. Mine are still pretty skinny though, so I stick with the 2%.

 

My kids are also still drinking whole milk. They are pretty small and since birth the doctor has encouraged us to give them a high calorie diet. They were slightly premature and spent a bit of time in the NICU. They were barely on the weight charts since day one and continue to be skinny even with a good diet.

That being said, at their 2 year appt the doctor said that it wouldn't hurt to keep them on whole milk as long as possible for brain development. If weight became an issue, we could switch. They're still super skinny so we're going to stick with whole milk until I see a reason to change.

 

We just recently switched to 2%. I really don't know why I switched because my girls have always been on the small size as far as weight is concerned. I have really been thinking about switching back to whole milk, though, just because of their weight.

 

On whole milk still, at almost 3. Probably won't switch anytime soon, since I like whole milk better myself. Weight is not, and will probably never, be an issue for us, so the good fats are a good thing.