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As Lucas turned one a while ago, I’m struck by what I read in my baby books about introducing whole milk to toddlers once they turn 1. This is very unlike the Asian/Malaysian tradition of sticking to formula until the kid turns 7 or 8.
My mom, my babysitter and even my friends are skeptical and horrified that I’m thinking of doing that. However, Lucas’ paed, who I think is a very progressive lady, is very supportive of it as she has mentioned before that given the choice between breast milk and formula, breast is best.
In cases when breast milk isn’t possible, then babies are given infant formula. Thus, why should formula be given preference over whole milk when the child is bigger? It makes sense, doesn’t it?
Also, in my globe-trotting experiences in the Western world, the Mat Sallehs drink milk or have milk with cereal every day for breakfast. My US, Canadian, UK, Australian, European and South American colleagues all recounted childhood and teenage years of drinking milk 3-4 times a day.
They’ve got strong bones and teeth, with very few cases of osteoporosis. Asian women, on the other hand, hold the record for the highest cases of osteoporosis, due to their low-milk diets.
For us Malaysians, our Indian friends are often commented for their beautiful, strong, white teeth. Why? Milk plays a huge part in their cooking, be it in the form of yoghurt or milk.
We are very lucky to have fresh milk (homogenized and pasteurised) easily available in supermarkets and I’ve found the Susu Segar brand to be the closest in taste to the whole milk available overseas. By the way, the milk in the Netherlands is the best tasting of all!
We are encouraged to eat foods that are as close to their origin as possible i.e. instead of gulping down a vitamin C tablet (synthetic), why not eat an orange or a guava (natural)? Both give you the natural source of vitamin C plus fibre and a whole lot of minerals at the same time.
That’s what my gynae repeats and repeats all the time as well throughout my pregnancy. And that’s what my dear hubby believes in as well - I can’t even finish counting on both hands the number of times he has ever popped pills.
And I’m glad Lucas takes after his Papa in this sense because:
a) he loves to drink water
b) he loves fruits esp bananas and oranges
c) he loves veggies (so far)
d) he loves cereal + milk + fruit that his Mum mixes for him every morning
Because of this, he doesn’t have any constipation problems, unlike his Mum who always forgets to drink water and is too lazy to eat fruits unless it’s within reach, does not need to be peeled and can be eaten using one hand 
Anyway, here’s some links to share on the info out there on full cream milk:
- Parenting and Child Health - Milk for Toddlers
- Parenting and Child Health - Feeding Toddlers
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/vegetarian_and_vegan/children.shtml
- http://www.health.qld.gov.au/phs/documents/cyhu/28111.pdf
Of course, the opposite argument is presented by formula companies e.g. Wyeth:
“switch from an iron-fortified formula to full cream milk at an early age” is cited as the first reason why toddlers are not getting enough nutrition.
“fruit juice in place of a calcium-rich milk source”
Yes, this is correct but note that “milk source”, not “milk” that is used? Why? Because formula is NOT milk - it’s what it is a FORMULA i.e. a recipe of ingredients mixed together. Just do a quick survey in the supermarket - which formula brand markets itself as “Growing Up Milk”???
None, I bet.
Let’s go glug, glug, glug then…
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i wish i could just switch but ellisa has eczema so that limits lots of milk options! or not it would be sooo convenient!
April 20th, 2007 at 10:45 am
Thanks for sharing. Btw.. I love the ‘What To Expect’ series too…
April 20th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Hey, I have that book too, when Kimberly was young. And The First Year. sure come in useful now.
BTW, have i told you that i tagged you for sweet 18?
April 21st, 2007 at 3:18 am
Jeriel now sapu any milk, formula, UHT and Fresh Milk…An apple everyday. I think he has better diet than me hi hi
April 23rd, 2007 at 2:11 pm
thanks for ur tips - opened my eyes since the consti episode with the girl. have yet 2 try fresh milk with her. let us know how successful u r with lucas on this.
April 24th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Mommyof2Angels - Ack, sorry about this. Guess she only takes soymilk then?
Etcetera Mommy- Yay! I’m glad to see another fan.
AllThingsPurple - No, I didn’t know I have another tag to do wor. Will do my best.
Chanel - You’re so lucky! Lucas is a very fussy eater that I’m mixing it half-and-half with his formula. So far no complaints but I’m crossing fingers until we go 100%.
Ryeli - Ok, will be sure to keep you updated.
May 3rd, 2007 at 9:19 pm
In the states we call that whole milk. Full cream milk would be something else here and when I read that I felt queasy. Sorry for sharing that.
I fed my daughter formula until she was about 2 years and 5 months because it had iron, omega-3, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid) — that support IQ, vocabulary development, and visual acuity. Whole milk doesn’t have any of this.
Actually there is a movement here to breast-feed kids until they’re 3 years old (ouch!) as breast milk has DHA and ARA.
September 11th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Vince - Thanks for sharing the differences between “whole milk” and “full cream milk”. “Fresh milk” (”whole milk” as you know it) in Malaysia isn’t that popular as it’s not as palatable. Wish it was though as I really enjoyed fresh milk in the US, UK, Europe and Latin America.
Nothing can beat breastmilk, for sure
I don’t believe in formula though thus prefer to go for full cream. We’re now drinking UHT milk in China. I tried a brand of “fresh milk” delivered to my door but it’s got added white sugar!
Thanks for posting the news article on Sanlu milk but I’m afraid I’ll have to delete it. This space is for comments, not news articles ok
September 17th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
ok
September 18th, 2008 at 12:01 am
I just read that the tainted formula problem has spread to several other formula producers.
Sanlu, Yashili, Yili Industrial Group, and Mengniu formula have been recalled.
6244 infants have been sickened so far.
I am wondering if US brand formulas is available in China at a reasonable cost at stores like Walmart.
September 18th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
The tainted milk has reportedly sickened over 60,000 kids.
It includes powdered formula, liquid “fresh” milk, candies, cookies, and other foodstuff (white rabbit and koala cookies). Over 20 dairy producers recalled items from shelves. No public announcement made by safety administration.
This news is making headlines everyday in the US for over a week. Is this being reported where you are?
Vince
September 26th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Vince - check out my other blog at http://bananainchina.com. I update about our life in China there.
September 26th, 2008 at 2:13 pm