When is it time to transition a child from whole milk to low-fat milk?

Answer 1

Generally it is recommended that children begin whole milk at age 1 and continue until age 2. The fat content in the whole milk is important to a baby's growth during this time period. After 2 years old, you can begin to use low-fat milk with no problem. Your health provider will be your best resource for your baby's nutritional needs. Each baby is different and yours may be fine drinking low-fat milk before 2 or may need the extra fat even after turning 2.

Answer 2

The rule is 2 years HOWEVER humans are not meant to be weaned until between the ages of 2 and 4 (or possibly even later). If your child is still consuming 10% or more of their calories/nutrients from milk they are not weaned.

There is a lot of evidence to suggest that humans should be drinking breastmilk until age 3 or longer. Breastmilk contains 3-5% fat. Whole milk contains 3-4% fat so it is closer to what a baby would be consuming. (Well as close as cow's milk gets, anyway)

So I wouldn't be in a rush to switch to low-fat milk. Maybe switch to 2% if that would make you feel better or be easier for you. But I wouldn't switch to anything lower than that for a long time. Also low fat milk tends not to have enough vitamin D in it. Even though they add it vitamin D is fat soluable and not stable in non-fat or low fat milk.

Answer 3

With my daughter we started at about age 1 1/2 but whole milk will not hurt them to drink it. Doctors recommend that when makeing a change you do is slowly...for example for two weeks give them 2/3 whole 1/3 low fat then the next two weeks give them 1/3 whole 2/3 low fat then all low fat.

18-24 months whole milk
24-36 months low fat

BUT always check with your doctor to find out what is right for your child.

Answer 4

I think most docs say after two. Turns out kids can actually get more calcium from skim than from whole, but less fat. But, I'd go down to one or two percent first. My son won't be able to transition till much later because he is underweight and the doc wants him to put on a couple more lbs. I'd check with the desk nurse at the docs office (or at your child's next visit) to see if the time is right (weight-wise).

Answer 5

My daughter's pediatrician said to wait til she was 3 before giving her 2% milk. Before that, they need the milk fat to help their brains grow and function properly.

Answer 6

At least 2 if not 2 1/2. The fat is so good for their brains.

Answer 7

I never used regular cows milk. My family and I have always used soy milk so there wasn't any "transitioning" except from soy formula to soy milk.

Answer 8

I have been hearing recently that whole milk is actually better for your health . Maybe you should look into this new finding

Answer 9

in accordance to the County well being branch the position I took my toddler for properly infant checkups, i became instructed by the nutritionist that as a lot as age 5 enable your toddler drink entire milk, so that they get all the reliable bone progression foodstuff that they choose for the time of that progression of their existence. After 5 it truly is okay to change to 2%, it truly is what I did with our toddler. even as uncertain, contact your community well being branch...

Answer 10

they say at age 2 that is when the WIC program will switch them to 2 % milk
I grew up in wis. and all we ever have in our house is whole milk...and no one but me is over weight.