What about Milk? This is a question we hear frequently. It's usually followed by questions like: "Doesn't my child need milk?", "Is organic milk really worth the price?", "Isn't raw milk dangerous?" and "Does rBGH-free mean anything?" As moms most of the information we hear about milk is through the billion dollar ad campaigns from the dairy industry which are designed to convince us that everyone needs to drink milk to be healthy, or from our pediatrician, or from our own experiences growing up drinking three glasses of milk a day.  So  how do you know what's right for your child when it comes to drinking milk?

You need to do a little research and decide whether milk needs to be a part of your child's diet and if so, what kind and how much.  There is no one right answer for every child.  When I had my daughter, our MD discouraged me from starting her on milk after weaning her from breastfeeding.  He talked about how most people in the world do not drink cow's milk and that it is not a necessary food for children.  He told me how many children he sees with problems associated with dairy intake. As much as I respected him, I was thrown for a loop since I had been brainwashed over the years to believe children need milk to be healthy.  That was the start of my journey in answering the question 'What about milk?'  Some things that factored into making my decision are here for you to consider.

Lactose Intolerance or Casein Sensitivity?

While milk is one way to get fat, protein and vitamins into your child - but, it's not the only way. And, it might not be the best way for your child. Many people have a lactose intolerance or a sensitivity to casein, a protein in milk and other dairy products. 

Symptoms can include: headaches, coughing, sore throats, dark under-eye circles, ear infections, sinus problems, asthma, irregular heartbeat, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, acne, eczema, depression, anger, difficulty learning, fear, food cravings, mood swings, insomnia, overweight, underweight, ADD, and more.[1] If you suspect this is the case for your child, you can either take him or her off of dairy for a few months or you can get a blood test for food sensitivities.

What about Strong Bones?

While calcium is a key mineral in building strong bones and dairy does provide calcium, drinking milk does not necessarily equate with strong bones like we have come to believe. A 2005 review published in Pediatrics showed that milk consumption does not improve bone integrity in children. Similarly, the Harvard Nurses’ Health Study, which followed more than 72,000 women for 18 years, showed no protective effect of increased milk consumption on fracture risk.

Ways to ensure your child is building strong bones include a varied REAL food diet with a lot of plant food, adequate vitamin D from sunshine or a supplement, a multimineral supplement, lots of physical activity and good rest.  Drinking 2, 3 or even 4 glasses of milk everyday doesn't replace any of these factors when it comes to bone health.
 

Depending on which research you read and who is funding the research, you get conflicting information whether organic or rBGH-free milk is better for your child's health. I always favor REAL food over fake foods. Whole milk from cows that are pasture-fed as nature intended is REAL. Factory farmed cows, with little or no access to pasture, given hormones and antibiotics, and fed conventional grain diets of soy and corn, produce a fake food product. Given the choice, I don't want hormones and antibiotics, however small the levels, accumulating in my child's body. 

The fat in milk is designed by nature to help whoever is drinking it actually absorb the fat soluble vitamins like A and D. It also satiates you so you can't drink so much that it crowds out eating nutritious foods.  I always choose full-fat dairy when given the choice.

Within the category of organic milk, there is a wide range of quality.  The best resource I've found yet is from The Cornucopia Institute, a non-profit organization, that rates companies based on an in-depth survey.[2] To find the highest quality product available to you, go for brands with at least a three cow rating!

Raw milk, which is unpasteurized, is another option that more people are choosing.  Because heat destroys enzymes, you lose some of the nutritional benefit of milk when it is pasteurized.[3] This is an area where you have to do the research to decide if it is right for your family. Two great places to start are the Weston A. Price Foundation and Real Milk. You will find lots of information and science regarding the benefits of raw milk.
 

Well, we don't drink milk on a regular basis. Natalie never really liked it anyway. Jacob and Lucas would drink it all day long if I let them. Once in a while I have a craving for milk because I grew up with it and it's a comfort food for me. So, once or twice a month I'll buy the highest quality of milk I can get locally and we enjoy it until it's gone. We definitely love dairy in the form of plain, full-fat yogurt, raw milk cheeses and the occasional ice cream!

Whatever decision you make for your family, check out all sides of the issue for an informed decision. And, don't assume Grandma or your pediatrician knows what is best for your child, despite their best intentions.