Cows milk VS 2% Milk?

Question

Morning everybody! I am currently still breastfeeding my 1 yr old but my doctor wants me to switch her to homogenized. I was just wondering what the health benefits are and could she have 2% milk instead? She is a very plump little thing so I don't think she needs to be on homogenized. Thanks.

I was also told that Homogenized was harder for babies to digest. Is this true? Thankyou for all your answers so far.

Answer 1

She needs to be on breastmilk, for at least another year. Breastmilk has so much that cow's milk does not. Don't listen to your doctor he isn't making any sense.

"If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned."
American Academy of Family Physicians
http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/policy/policies/b/breastfeedingpositionpaper.html

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/toddler-foods.html#cowmilk
"Many nursing moms are told that they must introduce cow's milk at a year. Your nursing toddler is already getting the best milk he can get - mother's milk! Breastmilk has a higher fat content than whole cow's milk (needed for baby's brain growth), and all the nutrients of human milk are significantly more bioavailable than those of cow's milk because it is species specific (not to mention all the components of mother's milk that are not present in cow's milk).

There is no need for additional milk or (or the equivalent nutrients from other foods) as long as your baby is nursing 3-4 times per day. Cow's milk is really just a convenient source of calcium, protein, fats, vitamin D, etc. - it's not required. There are many people in many parts of the world who do not drink milk and still manage to get all the calcium, protein, fats, vitamin D, etc. that they need.

* Good non-dairy sources of protein include meats, fish, peas & beans (chick peas, lentils, baked beans, etc.), tofu and other soy products, boiled eggs, peanut and other nut butters (if your child is not allergic).
* Good non-dairy sources of fats include soy and safflower oils, flax seed and flax seed oil, walnuts, fish and fish oils, avocado. Adding fats to cooking and baking can work well, for example, stir fry in safflower oil or make mini-muffins with soy or rice milk, oil or butter, and eggs.
* Calcium may be derived from many nondairy sources.
* Vitamin D can be supplied by sunlight exposure and food sources.
* If your child is not nursing regularly and is not allergic to cow's milk products, but simply doesn't like cow's milk, you can incorporate milk into your child's diet in other ways. Many children like cheese, whole-fat yogurt or ice cream. You can also put milk into various food products: pancakes, waffles, muffins, French toast, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, and baked goods.
* Some moms wish to offer cow's milk to their toddler, but baby doesn't like it. Over the age of 12 months, milk becomes a more minor part of a child's diet. It is sometimes helpful to mix increasing amounts of cow's milk with your expressed milk to help baby get used to the taste. Many dietitians see nothing wrong with adding some flavor (such as strawberry or chocolate) to cow's milk.

Pediatricians now recommend that any cow's milk be whole milk from a cup after the first year and until the child is at least 2 years of age. This ensures that your child receives enough fat, which is essential to proper brain development. After the age of two, if growth is good, you can switch to low-fat or nonfat milk. Note: If your child is nursing, then remember that mom's milk is "whole" milk - the more breastmilk your child gets, the less need to worry about your child getting additional fat from whole milk or other sources.

It's best to limit the amount of cow's milk that your child receives to 2-3 cups (16-24 ounces) per day, since too much cow's milk in a child's diet can put him at risk for iron-deficiency anemia (because milk can interfere with the absorption of iron) and may decrease the child's desire for other foods. "

"Concern about iron-deficiency anemia has led the American Academy of Pediatrics, backed by solid research, to discourage the use of cow's milk in children under one year of age. One of America's top pediatric hematologists (blood specialist), the late Dr. Frank Oski , Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Johns Hopkin University (and co-author of a book entitled: Don't Drink Your Milk) advised parents to be cautious and not rush into the use of cow's milk, even during the second year of life. At present it would seem prudent to continue giving your baby iron-fortified formula during the second year of life and very gradually wean him to dairy products, beginning with yogurt. If your toddler generally has a balanced diet and routine hemoglobin tests show that he is not even close to being anemic, then switch from formula to whole milk sometime during the second year, but don't be in a hurry.
NUTRITIP

Dairy Dates
• no cow's milk before age one
• whole milk until two
• nonfat or low-fat milk after two "
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/0/T000100.asp#T031014

Answer 2

The 2% milk is cow's milk. You need to give whole milk until the age of 2 because toddlers need the fat. If you have a baby who weighs more than they should, then your doctor might recommend the 2%, but this is rare. Even if your baby is plump right now, they get really active after age 12 months, and start burning more calories.

Answer 3

All milk is homoginized, keeps the bacteria out. I think you are wondering about whole milk vs 2%. Whole milk is recommended for 1 year olds due to the calories, vitamins and fat content. Your daughter will be walking and moving much more soon, she'll be burning a lot of calories once she's on the go. I'd stick with the whole milk, unless your ped says 2% is OK. And remember..she's not really a baby anymore, she's a toddler, her digestive trac has changes.

Answer 4

If you and she both still want to continue breastfeeding, there shouldn't be any reason to switch her to cow's milk. The World Health Organization recommends mothers breastfeed their babies for at least two years, then as long as mutually desired thereafter.

I don't think there are any health benefits to speak of by switching her from the milk she is currently consuming (that is tailor-made to suit her needs) to the milk of a totally different species.

Answer 5

generally babues should be on whole milk for the second year of life, then switched to 2 or 1 % after that. A 1 yr old is supposed to be plump, she will slim down when she starts walking and running everywhere!!

Answer 6

Wait until she is 2 to switch her to 2% milk. The fat content in whole milk is important to her physical development as well as her brain development. There is no need to worry at her age about how plump she is if she is eating a healthy well-balanced diet. As she becomes more active, she will begin to loose that baby fat. I breast fed my youngest until she self-weaned at 14 months. She began drinking whole milk from a cup when she was 1 year old at meal times. Breast feeding was mostly at nap and bed time and really wasn't for nutritional purposes as much as comfort.

Answer 7

the 2% is more water than milk - and less nutrients. Unless he's overweight - stay with whole milk - You might want to keep some powdered milk on hand - you can fortify the 2% with it if needed -

Answer 8

Why would your doctor want you to switch?

Breastmilk is the best thing for her, its actually a living substance and contains numerous nutrients and enzymes that pasturized cows milk doesnt.

As for the fat... its not about how much is on her body, she needs the high amount of fat for her brain. As long as shes eating healthy overall and getting good fats, whatever fat shes putting on now will even out eventually.

Answer 9

The official recommendation is whole milk but 2% has always been fine for everyon eI have ever known.

Answer 10

My pediatrician had us put both of our girls on 2% when they were a year old, then switch to 1% when they were 2 years old. She said kids nowadays get enough fat in their diets without adding the milk fat to it. Both of my girls were of normal weight when they were one also.

Answer 11

2% should be ok but it is better for the baby to have whole milk because of what it has in it