UHT milk?

[mrscricket]

DS is nearly 12 months old (OMG where did the time go??). He is currently on 3 bottles a day - 1 on waking, 1 at about 3pm and a bed time. I am wanting to drop the afternoon one as he is not particually interested in it but first I am trying to get him to drink more milk from a cup. I have tried a variety of cups with different spouts etc, including a straw cup but he loses interest in the milk very quickly and doesn't drink a huge amount (he is very good with water from a cup).
Today MIL was babysitting him, and as she frequently does, decided to try something without asking and gave him a prima of UHT milk. He drank the whole thing apparently (200ml). It may have been the novelty of the straw or he may have liked the taste. Anyway, my question is - has does UHT milk compare with regular cow's milk? I had always assumed it was 'fake' milk ( thats what I call it anyway because it seems to have a bit of a fake taste to it but this brand is actually really nice!). Is it ok to give to a almost toddler (sob) or do I need to stick to real milk?

[Olive]

i think it fine, DD has it sometimes and quiet likes the taste also!!

[Nai]

We have used it a fair bit when travelling or going away. It is good to take in the car etc. DD doesn't really seem to notice any difference. It is normal milk but heat treated so it lasts longer so it can't be too different from normal milk.

[mbear]

I use it for emergencies ( i always have some in the cupboard), but dont like to give it for anymore than a day. I think on most packages it says 'not to be part of a under 2 yr olds diet ' something like that....

[Boo Boo]

yeah, we always keep some in the cupboard for emergencies and on a couple of occasions I have given DD some when it was too hard to get to the shop to get fresh milk.

[~clover~]

It's all DD2 had. I used to buy a box every fortnight for $12. It is heaps cheaper. We've never used it for everyday stuff. We don't think it's 'real' milk either, but only coz it tastes a bit different. It's all we got as kids & I've never seen a warning - but then I've never looked.
I can't see why not. It's still milk, it just lasts a bit longer.
Buying 'fresh' milk isn't really fresh milk you know. Unpasturised milk is 'fresh'. You can't drink it like that pregnant though, so I would assume it's not the best for a toddler. 'Box' milk is just treated to last in the cupboard.

[Becci]

We use UHT milk all the time at home. It does take a little getting used to though.
I just checked our carton and it says "Not to be used as a complete food for children under 2 years". I take that as not to replace babies milk (formula or breast) with it. But as part of a normal toddlers diet it should be fine.
If you have any questions talk to your dr, or baby nurse or even ring the parent helpline, they may have some advice.

[Olive]

all this talk makes me want a glass of UHT milk

[Ellibam]

it would have that warning if it was lite or skim milk. full cream milk is fine
also you dont need to worry about him having milk as the calcium in cows milk is poorly absorbed. just make sure he has a reasonable balanced diet.

[Starzia]

UHT milk has been denatured by intense heat so it is difficult to digest and nearly all the nutrients have been destroyed. I wouldn't reccommend it for anyone!
(I don't mean to worry you, one carton won't have done any harm but its just something I would avoid in the future) :-)

[Nicole Tracy]

I agree Starzia - it is more difficult to digest, and most of the nutrients are destroyed in the ultra-heating process. I'd try to limit UHT milk to emergencies if possible - a small amount won't cause any harm though. The best milk available these days (unless you have your own goat or cow :P) is the bio-dynamic un-homogenised milk (where the milk and cream are not blended together). It is much easier to digest as it is closer to it's original natural state. I'm not sure whether I can mention brand names here... better not to

[Becci]

I have talked to my dietician about UHT milk and she said that UHT milk is fine (we were talking adult diets and vitamins etc).
ellibugs - mione was skim milk so that might have been the case. Didn't think of that. But I'm sure I have seen the same warning on full cream UHT milk too. Must remember to have a look when I go shopping for interests sake.
As much as we always have UHT milk now I only eve used to use it in small amounts in ds' diet when he was small. Like for mash or custard, but not as a milk drink.

Seeing as we have been talking about UTH not having all the vitamins etc etc I wonder how good the S26 toddler milk that comes in small UHT packs is then?

[mrscricket]

After all the discussion, DS has decided he won't drink UHT at all - I think the prima and the straw may of been a novelty! But he did have cows milk out of his sippy cup today, so hoping that continues. Thanks heaps for all your replies girls - it was great.
Becci - DH and i were talking about the S26 UHT packs too. They seem handy for travelling or if you are out and about, but we know someone who uses them full time for their 10 month old. It would be interesting to see about the vitamins etc and if they are retained.

[Becci]

Oh my em they must have a great income to be able to afford that! lol

[Peach]

Hmm interesting thread.. I always thought there was no difference .. for about 6 weeks UHT was all I bought because we were going through milk so quickly that I was sick of going to the shops everyday. I have gone back to fresh milk .. I just buy 12L at a time now!

[Starzia]

I have talked to my dietician about UHT milk and she said that UHT milk is fine (we were talking adult diets and vitamins etc).
ellibugs - mione was skim milk so that might have been the case. Didn't think of that. But I'm sure I have seen the same warning on full cream UHT milk too. Must remember to have a look when I go shopping for interests sake.
As much as we always have UHT milk now I only eve used to use it in small amounts in ds' diet when he was small. Like for mash or custard, but not as a milk drink.

Seeing as we have been talking about UTH not having all the vitamins etc etc I wonder how good the S26 toddler milk that comes in small UHT packs is then?

I think you will find dieticians and nutritionists often have conflicting views on things! As a nutritionist I often strongly disagree with things dieticians say! ;-)

[Becci]

I think you will find dieticians and nutritionists often have conflicting views on things! As a nutritionist I often strongly disagree with things dieticians say! ;-)

I agree about conflicting views. It makes it very hard to make decisions. Thanks for your input.

[Olive]

i opened some UHT milk this morning as we ran out of normal milk, i read the back panel and the nutrients are the same! the UHT actually had slightly more calcium in it and less sodium!