The American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending babies 12 months to 2 years of age drink 2 percent milk, and then a switch to 1 percent milk at 2 years. According to a Finnish study, there were no ill effects in babies given 1 1/2 percent milk and there were even health benefits such as lower cholesterol for boys and less obesity for girls.
Too much saturated fat from milk is not healthy for babies and toddlers, according to the American Academy of Pediatricians, especially if the babies are already getting enough fat from other sources.
But before you make the switch, it is advised that you talk to your baby's pediatrician. Several things are taken into account including family history, your child's current weight and possible cholesterol screening.
We actually use rice milk with our 1 1/2 year old as he does not tolerate regular milk well. But for my 4 year old, it is either 1 percent milk or soy milk sometimes.I'd give him rice milk as well but he absolutely hates it.