2% Milk

[Anonymous]

My 18 MO is on the high end of the charts for both weight and height (always has been). He eats healthy but loves his milk. At his 18 month appt, I asked the dr about possibly giving him some 2% milk instead of all whole milk. She said that, although the AAP recommends giving kids whole milk until 2, it would be fine to give him some whole and some reduced fat milk. I don't think he'd even notice the change because sometimes on the run, he drinks those Horizon Organic milk boxes that are reduced fat milk. So, my question is, has anyone switched their child before age 2 to a mix of whole and reduced fat milk? Just curious...Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I asked this question a couple of weeks ago, too. I do give whatever I've got on hand to my son, who's 22 months old. 2% isn't really all that different in saturated fat -- I think 4.5 grams instead of 8 grams per serving. I haven't gone to all 2% yet, but I don't think mixing it is bad at this point.

[Anonymous]

I'd do it. If your son was underweight, I'd say he needed the extra fat, but if he is otherwise healthy, where is the harm?

[Anonymous]

OP here -- supposedly the whole milk until age 2 is because of healthy brain development so I obviously do not want to sacrifice that. I guess I'm wondering, if anyone did make the switch to 2% eearly, did it make a difference in weight? My pediatrician says not to be surprised if mixing the 2 has no effect on his weight growth since he's probably this height and weight percentile because of genetics and has been following the same consistent curve throughout the past 18 months.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it would do much for weight per se, but instead help acclamate him to the taste of lower fat milk, so he doesn't resist later on. You can add, if they aren't already there, healthy fats like olive oil and avocado to his diet.