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I know that kids aren't supposed to have the low fat under 2 but after that I thought it was ok if not used as the sole source of dairy (unless medically advised). My kids now have a combination - mainly full fat but if that runs out then they drink the low fat (not no fat) if we have some of that left. DD1 doesn't notice the difference but DD2 clearly prefers the full fat however she is less fussed now than she used to be.
I have no idea on the recomendations but I often water down full fat milk for DD if she has had a lt of calcium hat day already and still wants milk. She doesnt complain. Most of time though she would never finish the entire milk so it must not be as delicious as plain ful cream. I am going to switch to light milk though as I have been putting on the extra kg's from having full fat milk! :)
Ali - I always try to have both in the house. The low fat for me and DP (I don't like the taste of full cream but he does, except on cereal :dunno: ) and the full fat for the kids.
I happened to just read about this in one of the many booklets/brochures that I got given from the hospital when I took DS home.
Babies NOT BF, its best to give infant formula for all milk drinks up to 12mths
A baby MOSTLY BF may have cows milk in a cup from 9-10 months to avoid the need to buy formula.
Cows milk may be used in solids from 6mths (eg. cereals, puddings, custards)
Young children need full cream milk until 2 yrs of age, AFTER 2years it is recommended to offer reduced fat milk (1.5-2.5% fat).
SKIM MILK less than 0.5% fat should not be given until 5 years of age, unless their are medical reasons to change earlier.
from "The Feeding Book" Government of South Australia. Children Youth and Women's Health Service. fourth edition 2007.
I'm 23 and still on full cream milk. What's so bad about it?:
Any time after 2 years.
We don't drink skim milk but do drink reduced fat (2%)
This isn't a hard and fast rule. It is just a recommendation by the government, in an attempt to curb obesity. But I believe that if your child is healthy, eating whole and healthy foods, then it's not a must to do. We do it in our house because DH and I eat low fat dairy. It is just easier that way. If we ate full fat dairy, so would the kids.