When to swap from full cream milk to low fat?

**Miss E** · May 19th, 2011, 03:29 PM

Ok, as the title suggests I'm trying to remember when it is that 'they' recommend you switch over from full cream milk to low/reduced fat? I had thought it was around 2 years old, but not 100% sure, so thought I better check with you wise women.

TIA

**MrsFabuloso** · May 19th, 2011, 03:34 PM

Yep, all dairy is supposed to be swapped to low fat after 2yrs.

**Miss E** · May 19th, 2011, 03:42 PM

Yep, all dairy is supposed to be swapped to low fat after 2yrs.

Thanks hun, that's what I thought.

Negrita, I don't think you have, or even need to for that matter. From what I read ages ago, up until 2 years (thanks lilas) they need lots of fat in their diets to assist with brain development. After that point, I guess their brains don't need it as much so it isn't necessary in their diets.

TBH I was asking cos for the life of me I couldn't remember for 100% if it was 2 or 4. DS is still a little bit off 2, but I'm not sure if I'll switch him over or leave it as is for a bit longer... I tend to think that as long as his weight is good, then there probably isn't the need to change... I think I drank full cream milk etc up until I was 10 or 11 and began to become conscious of my weight etc.

**~Gee_Whizzy~** · May 19th, 2011, 04:03 PM

Thanks hun, that's what I thought.

Negrita, I don't think you have, or even need to for that matter. From what I read ages ago, up until 2 years (thanks lilas) they need lots of fat in their diets to assist with brain development. After that point, I guess their brains don't need it as much so it isn't necessary in their diets.

ahh ok....was worried i should've changed DD1 over to low fat, but she only has one cup of milk (full cream) per day with the balance of her dairy made up of yoghurt and cheese

**Tegam** · May 19th, 2011, 06:05 PM

I really struggle with the idea that the reason for our child obesity problems stem from full fat milks......hmmmm maybe more to do with drive thrus!

**LimeSlice** · May 19th, 2011, 06:13 PM

The fats in milk and butter are essential fats in the diet, and a actually good for you in correct amounts. They are not nasty and evil.
TBH the notion that you would change a 2 year old to low fat anything as a weight related precaution is scary.

**Mum2Romone** · May 19th, 2011, 06:13 PM

yuk...

never even considered drinking or buying low fat, milk is good for you

**~Gee_Whizzy~** · May 19th, 2011, 03:35 PM

i didn't know that you had to /could change to low/reduced fat

-my DD1 is 2.3yrs old and is still on normal full cream milk

**beansbeans!** · May 19th, 2011, 03:41 PM

I remember hearing 2yrs for the switch, alho both girls here have always been on low fat because full cream made them constipated. So we switched them over from the beginning. I mean with their daily intake of dairy anyhow, its probably a good thing they are on low fat

**Olive** · May 19th, 2011, 03:42 PM

tbh i dont see that the fat in cows milk such a bad thing, id cut other areas of fat out before milk

**Gigi** · May 19th, 2011, 03:45 PM

i was told by a paed dietician NOT to change to low fat milk (no matter what age).

The different in fat is so low, and they need the good parts of full cream milk for their bones/hair etc. This applies to the average child, i was told only to use low fat milk IF child had been diagnosed as obese by a paed.

No doubt, ask ten people, you'll get ten different answers, no wonder parenting is so hard, lack of consistent info.

**Olive** · May 19th, 2011, 03:58 PM

yep i agree with gigi, its a good fat

**shaza12345** · May 19th, 2011, 03:59 PM

the difference is fat and sugar really full has more fat low fat has more sugar so you cant win really
my boys still have full i havent changed over.

**feeb** · May 19th, 2011, 04:01 PM

The fat in milk is good for kids and generally stay on full cream, some will change is child is bigger and putting on too much weight but generally other fats should be reduced before changing milk.

**Shades** · May 19th, 2011, 08:25 PM

I think it's one of those things where your own personal judgement and context need to come into play. *Most* Australian children probably do get plenty of fats from other sources (we are in the middle of a childhood obesity crisis right?) so there's logic in cutting down on milk-fat, but if you know that your kids aren't getting fats from processed fatty foods on a regular basis then where's the concern with full-fat milk? On the other hand if you know your child gets a reasonable amount fat in their diet anyway then maybe they could stand to do without the unnecessary bit of extra in full-fat vs low-fat.

**Junglemum** · May 19th, 2011, 09:24 PM

I thought 2% fat milk was the most unprocessed milk, as it comes from the cow with the cream scraped off, and full fat, which is about 4% fat, was processed to incorporate the fat? If that's the case, low fat isn't really a by product.

We kind of drink whatever is around. It's not a big part of our diet so I don't think it makes a big difference for us. ( I won't buy 'diet' anything though, mainly due to the chemicals and artificial sweeteners. )

**Astrid** · May 19th, 2011, 09:44 PM

Cows milk can vary in levels of fat content due to the breed and location. In the past, yes milk just would have been what was left after the cream was taken off, but even without that cream it is still pretty creamy, nothing like the watery stuff you get with skim milk other low fat milks. If we skim the cream off the raw milk, the milk left behind is creamier than the full fat you can buy. The milk that was delivered when I was a kid, still had the cream layer.

These days all milk is highly processed. It is basically pulled apart and then put back together in different ratios to make milk of varying types. Skim milk powder is still very cheap though considering the changes in processing, they are just off loading a by product.