Full fat or semi skimmed ?

[Littlemermaid]

Not sure if this is a weaning question or a feeding question and sorry if it's been covered before ! Just about to switch DS onto cows milk but do you go for full fat milk or semi skimmed ? Sorry if this is a stupid question but I can't seem to find the answer anywhere and am feeling a bit thick for not knowing !

Full fat if he is under 2

I prefer full fat if they are under 5, but there maybe reasons for semiskimmed after 2

Full fat - I'm even on it now - norty!

Full fat under 2, then they can have semi-skimmed - although my HV recommended full-fat until the age of 5.

Interesting...my HV said full fat until 5.

mm ive heard mixed about the full fat to 2 or 5..which one is right????? At the min we buy ds fullfat but hes 2 next month. We have semi skimmed...however he is the right weight for his age but a lot taller than average so do I keep him on fullfat or not?

I don't think fullfat hurts until 5 - children need fat

But some children esp with asthma may find S/S better.

I think HV advise FF until 5, but if your child is gettig plenty of Fullfat yoghurt/cheese etc - then it prob wouldn't hurt.

But a faddy eater would be best on FF

Full fat until they are five - skimming off the cream does remove some fat-soluble vitamins. Semi-skimmed doesn't lose as many vitamins as skimmed, obviously, but still not recommended for under 5s.

If you are buying organic milk, one study has shown it contains more omega-3 fats ('good' fat needed for brain development and healthy hearts). Skimming the milk would remove these nutrients. The average British diet is low in omega-3 so if you are already spending the extra on organic, worth sticking with full fat. (Obviously you can get omega-3s from other sources such as oily (non-canned) fish or linseeds.

thanks everyone had a feeling it was full fat - DH and I use semi skimmed so looks like we're going to need a bigger fridge !

semi-skimmed is fine from 2 years as long as your lo is having a good varied diet. This is what the FSA says:

Should children have full-fat or semi-skimmed milk?

Milk is an important part of a child's diet. It's a good source of energy and protein, and contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals. Milk and milk products are rich sources of calcium, which growing children and young people need to build healthy bones and teeth.

At about one year old, when a baby has been weaned from the breast or bottle, a switch to full-fat cows' milk can be made.

Children under two years old need full-fat milk because it gives them the extra calories and vitamin A that a younger child needs.

Children between the ages of one and three need to consume an average of 350mg of calcium a day. About 300ml full-fat milk (three?fifths of a pint) would provide this.

Semi-skimmed and skimmed milk contain at least the same amount of protein, B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc as full-fat milk, but less fat.

Once a child is two years old, he or she can start drinking semi-skimmed milk as long as they are eating well and having a wide range of foods. However, skimmed milk isn't suitable for children under five years old. It's too low in calories and contains only very small amounts of vitamins A and D, all of which children need.

It's important to note that although milk provides a range of nutrients it doesn't contain a significant amount of iron or vitamin C, both of which are also very important for growing children.