Oops! Didn't know that....

Ok, please don't think of me as an ignorant mother but I didn't know that DD (who's 2 years and 4 months now) can drink 2% milk by now.  She's still on whole milk and is loving it.  In fact, that's one of my questions.  She loves it soo much that she screams for milk and can drink up to 5 glasses a day.  Is she not getting the much needed iron due to all that calcium she's getting from the milk?  

[AnnieBrooke]

Look back a couple of days and you'll find a long, long thread about milk.  I think it starts with a survey.  Check with your pediatrician ... some say whole milk until age 5, others are more relaxed about it.

[AndiJ78]

She shouldn't be drinking quite that much, not only due to the iron concerns but it also leaves little room for the rest of the important stuff she needs.

Wean her down steadily and she won't even miss it.

[AnnieBrooke]

The thread I was thinking of is called "Whole Milk vs. 2% Mild" and was from January 28th.

[mlb1234]

Today my dd had her 1y check up.  I specifically asked how much whole milk she should be getting and if she could drink too much milk because I was wondering the same thing.  She said around 24oz/day (3 glasses), a little more or less is fine.  She said by 2y most children are already deficient in calcium so try not to discourage milk drinking.  She said if they are drinking much more than that and not eating much to incorporate a multivitamin to make up the difference.

[Me2mommy2b]

mlb-thanks, I'll be talking to my pediatrician about it.
Andi- whenever DS gets his bottle, DD screams that she wants milk too!!  Ugh, I don't know what to do!

[alikat1205]

you can switch to 2% at age 2 usually.  my daughters always screamed for the milk too though, and preferred it to eating.  i think since neither of them really ever did the paci thing, they used the sucking, even on a sippy cup, for soothing, and then the milk filled them to the point of not eating.  eventually, around 2 1/2, i had to take away the sippy cup, and use a regular small cup, which was a pain, they hated and protested, but broke the habit of carrying around a sippy cup of milk all day long and drinking milk.  

[Quinns momma]

Quinn just had her 2 year appt and her pediatrician said at this age no more than 16oz a day. Your daughter I would think would be quite full drinking that much milk and not eating the required amount of fruit, meats and veggies.  Also said she can drink 2% or 1% milk at this age but whole milk is no longer needed.