MILK

By tomorrow Aethyn should be 100% on cows milk...I know they say that you should use whole milk...but why?  When I compared labels (Whole vs 2%), there wasn't much of a difference...
How long are you supposed to do the whole milk? Does it really matter all that much if it is Whole or 2%?  When I looked, it was mostly calories and fat that were different (and maybe Vitamin A)...but not by a ton!
 I do worry about him becoming overweight...so why would I want to give him the one with higher fat/calories?
I forgot to ask his Dr. at his appt. so I though some one might have an answer until we go in again! 
I plan on asking if we can do the 2% when I go in again, but in the mean time I plan on sticking to whole milk!   

Don't know but you could always call and ask.

I go in in a couple weeks anyway, so I plan on asking then!  I just thought some one might know why they say whole milk instead of 2%!  He will be fine with the whole mil****il I talk to his Dr again, but for the long term I was just curious!  

Babies need full-fat dairy products until about age 2 because of brain development. Fats are essential in the process.

Our pedi actually said it was up to us because I have such a large family history of obesity and high cholesterol. 

He said we could start them on 2% and then give them skim if we wanted by age 2.  

Really, the only reason to give kids whole milk is for the added fat and calories.   Now we are giving our kids whole milk at this point.   Dylan is a terrible eater and she needs to be getting the extra fat and calories because she's not eating them.   Jack gets whole milk because it's just easier to buy a bazillion gallons of whole versus buying 2% for him and whole for her.  Plus he doesn't show any signs of being overweight at this point.  

We were told for our DD it was okay to give her whatever we use...and we use 1%...but she's had them all (visits to others houses).  She is not a fan of regular milk (verse formula)...but she eats a great variety of foods, and is not fussy...hence we were told no need for whole milk she gets her fat / extra calories from food.  It seems each Dr has their own opinion though...the Dr we saw this week- frowned when I said we give her 1%.  Oh well- she is A okay, growing normally. 

The fats in the whole milk make a big difference developmentally. They need it until they are 2. 2% after that.

I am so glad you asked this... we go for Josiah's 1 year appt in a few weeks and I will ask. He is a BIG boy though...so I was thinking 2% also. I will go with whatever the doc says though.

Just like the others I was told for brain development and for Vitamin D.

The American Academy of Pediatrics changed their guidelines a couple years ago to state that 2% milk should be used in children ages 1-2 years old where there is a family history of obesity or some other risk factor for obesity.  So it's definitely something you would want to discuss with your pediatrician.