When to swap from full cream milk to low fat?

[Miss E]

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~]

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]

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]

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.

[Miss E]

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.

That's interesting Lime... I'd always been under the impression that all animal fats were the ones to steer clear of because they have 'bad cholesterol' and that the fats in plants were the good ones. But I'm definately not an expert in these matters, but in terms of adult health I was always under that impression.

And just in case anyone is unsure, I definately wasn't thinking about changing DS to low fat as a weight related precaution. The whole thing of changing them over was something I've come across in the past a few times (reading bits and peices and I think my MCHN as well) and I had thought it was at two, but wasn't 100% sure. Just wanted to clarify it.

[Mum2Romone]

yuk...

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

[Shanti]

Full cream here too for our DD

[Tegam]

My DD1 is 7yrs old and was BF til 18months then has had atleast 3 cups of milk a day, she loves it! She is as skinny as a weed! We go thru 1l of yoghurt a day and 3l milk and thats before Molly is on solids! Im thinking of buying a cow!

[Fleur]

I think the difference is really negligible, when you are talking about normal healthy kids I wouldn't bother swapping. We were using low fat here befor Pie came along - we were all older & it was just for coffee & cereal - now we just all have full cream. Tastes nicer too

ETA - Miss E I have heard that too, although not sure if it is a recommendation that you make the change at two, but certainly that before then they should be on full fat products, ITMS?

[Miss E]

Ok, probably should have done this before posting a thread, but I just googled full cream milk and children and came across a lot of recommendations that you switch over to reduced fat at 2 for the reasons below (sorry I'm not too sure how to do quotes so have just copied and pasted). I still not 100% sure that this is the best thing to do, but clearly the basis of the recommendations have nothing to do with preventing weight gain.

Since 2002, it has been recommended in the National Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents that all children in Australia over the age of two years consume reduced-fat milk. The reason for this is that the type of fat found in milk is largely saturated fat — the fat that accumulates in the arteries over time increasing the risk of heart disease. It is reasoned that as Australian children get plenty of fat in their diets from other sources they do not need extra saturated fat from their milk. A common parental concern about choosing low and reduced fat milks over full cream varieties is that kids may be missing out on calcium. This is not the case, reduced- and low-fat milks generally have more calcium than full-cream varieties.

For this reason, once your child reaches the age of two, a reduced-fat milk is the best milk choice. The other potential benefit of swapping a child's milk over when they are young is that they become used to it before knowing any different and there is no problem swapping it over. We all know how difficult it is to change kids' food once they reach school age!

[MantaRay]

There was a push a while back to switch kids at 2yo. Personally I have chosen not to and my boys at 6 and 4 1/2 both still have full fat dairy everything - milk, cheese and yoghurt. Actually I have full fat dairy too (except for in lattes). I think that it might be different if they were overweight, but they are not and they are healthy, I don't see the harm.

[Marlene]

I haven't read all the responses...I have always thought you were not supposed to give children low fat dairy until at least 12 years of age.