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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What milk do you give your children?

182 replies

MrsPreston11 · 13/04/2018 12:05

Just seen on another thread.

Mine had full fat until a few months ago and I swapped to semi skimmed so I wasn't buying 2 milks. And I've been informed by oldest (6) its semi at school.

Should I still be giving them full fat? They're both 50%-ish height and weight, can be taller and slimmer when in growth spurts.

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 13/04/2018 13:42

Full fat organic, but I'd rather have semi skimmed organic than full fat regular.

gandalfspants · 13/04/2018 13:42

DD (19 months) is bf at night and has full fat cows in the day, so we all have full fat (though DH only has it in coffee anyway).

We did have semi-skimmed pre DD but I doubt I'll switch back, the more I read above fat vs sugar the more I think reducing fat is not the best way to control calories.

minniemummy0 · 13/04/2018 13:42

Mine is only a baby and has formula, but will go on whole milk at one year. I drink skimmed out of preference.

This is the NHS guidance for reference. So semi skimmed should be fine.

“Cows' milk doesn't contain enough iron and other nutrients to meet young babies' needs. That's why it shouldn't be given as a drink to babies until they are 12 months old. Whole milk should be given to children until they are two years old, as they need the extra energy and vitamins it contains.
Semi-skimmed milk can be introduced once your child is two years old, as long as they're a good eater and they have a varied diet. Skimmed and 1% milk aren't suitable for children under five, as they don't contain enough calories. Lower-fat milks can be used in cooking from the age of one though.”

stoplickingthetelly · 13/04/2018 13:43

Dc have full fat they're aged 5 and 2. Myself and dh have skimmed, but if we had semi-skimmed I would probably just give everyone the same.

RickOShay · 13/04/2018 13:45

Only ever buy full fat organic for everyone.

LynetteScavo · 13/04/2018 14:03

I don't believe semi skimmed is better for you. We also eat butter and avocados like they're going out of fashion.

Schroedingerscatagain · 13/04/2018 14:16

Full fat organic for all the family

Both teen dc are coeliac and on the 0 percentile for weight so advised to have full fat

I’m coeliac and consume very little milk, intolerant of soya, allergic to nuts and one of the 5% coeliacs who react to oat gluten so soya, oat and nut milks are out

Many years ago I worked with a number of breast cancer surgeons and their advice at the time was to only use organic milk due to hormones used in production

At the time the hormones had been banned in Europe but not here, they felt there was a direct correlation between the reducing levels of breast cancer at the time in Europe

Alright1613 · 13/04/2018 14:17

We only buy blue here for everyone.

Cockmagic · 13/04/2018 14:18

DD (9) loves milk, we have skinned (red top) she has about a pint a day.

MrsJonesAndMe · 13/04/2018 14:20

Full fat for everyone

Allthewaves · 13/04/2018 14:20

Semi goats milk (ff is too goats according to dc) and unsweetened soya milk for another dc

SoyDora · 13/04/2018 14:21

We all have full fat. None of us are overweight.

SweetMoon · 13/04/2018 14:23

I only buy full fat, so we all have that.

moreDetails · 13/04/2018 14:24

We all love that gold top stuff from Waitrose but I make sure to balance it out with full fat.

Every litre of gold top is matched with a litre of blue top which used to mean skimmed, of course-

We get through a lot of milk. 4-6 litres a day between 4 of us but we all have cereal and all drink it neat.

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 13/04/2018 14:24

None because they don’t like it. Have never liked it other than in food or the very odd milkshake so they don’t have it.

Truth be told I don’t really get the worry around forcing kids to drink milk. I don’t, my kids don’t, we all get plenty of calcium from other sources. We’re not dairy free by any stretch of the imagination btw!

And now I fancy a glass of milk HmmConfused

puppymouse · 13/04/2018 14:25

DD has milk occasionally at nursery or with the odd bowl of cereal but rarely. I appear to be missing a vital part of her nutrition Confused

We rarely have milk in the house to be honest.

HarshingMyMellow · 13/04/2018 14:27

@JessieMcJessie Grin

Eatmycheese · 13/04/2018 14:28

Eldest two children - gallons of full fat. They know if I substitute blue for green. “Is this water milk, mummy?”

I loathe the stuff and generally only have a splash of skimmed. Use semi wherever cooking require.

Baby is breastfed by me

thismeansnothing · 13/04/2018 14:29

DD is 6 now but has been on 1% or semi skimmed since she was about 3. No one else drinks full fat and it was just going off getting two different ones in. I wasn't concerned cos she'd have other healthy full fats. Plenty of fish, avocado, Greek yoghurt, cheeses etc

Notso · 13/04/2018 14:40

The kids have blue milk except for DD who has green she doesn't really drink any milk, the odd cup of tea or hot chocolate.
DH and I use green. I only have it in tea though I use coconut, almond or both in coffee.

Penfold007 · 13/04/2018 14:47

Semi skimmed from 12 months with GP's blessing. Food Standards Agency says children should be on semi skimmed from 2 years of age and government legislation says schools can only offer SS milk from age 5 onwards.

PeonyTruffle · 13/04/2018 14:48

Nearly 4 year old has semi skimmed. But just because it’s what we have. Did start on full fat but switched when he was 2

SoyDora · 13/04/2018 14:49

Perfectly happy with my children having full fat milk for as long as they’re happy with it. I drink full fat milk, as does DH. Children are both 25th centile, DH and I both a healthy weight. Absolutely no reason to change to semi skimmed milk, and we prefer the taste of full fat.

LiquoriceTea · 13/04/2018 14:50

I thought full fat was healthier for everyone, but especially children!

Surprised at so many of those buying anything else.

dementedpixie · 13/04/2018 14:51

I find full fat gloopy in my mouth so prefer semi skimmed