I only give my kids milk at meals. My Ped said we as a sociely drink way too much milk, we've been conditioned to think that our kids need tons of milk every day and we don't. My kids get juice with breakfast (calcium fortified) and 6oz of milk (skim, my Ped wanted my kids on skim by age 2 as they get plenty of fat in their diet) at lunch and dinner. My kids eat yogurt once a day and love string cheese as snacks, so they are getting everything they need and I got through about 2 gallons of milk a week. My kids drink water between meals and that's what they tend to ask for if they are thirsty or hot.

__________________
~*JAMI*~ GO RED SOX! WORLD CHAMPIONS!

I was pleased to pay $3.09 a gallon, NOT ON SALE. I'll just be watching the sales, stocking up and freezing it. Works well for us since my 2 older kids drink 23 and the youngest is still on Whole milk. I go through about 4 gallons a week (combined) and stock up whenever I can.

I'm paying $3.99 - $4.29 a gallon now... Since school is back on DD is back on her medicine, so she gets Carnation Instant Breakfast before bed to help with her weight issues with her medicine, thats 1 cup of milk right there... so I FINALLY got around to mixing up some powdered milk to cook with and for adding to the regular milk to make it stretch longer. Now I just have to get in the habit of buying whole milk since powdered is fat free (normally buy 1% or 2%).

__________________
:love:

Far as I know we are the only species that shops in a grocery store

__________________

We don't use dairy products - we drink soy milk and use veggie-based cheeses. Soy milk varies greatly in price by brand: We prefer Meijer Organic, and pay $2.59 per gallon. Soy (and rice) milks last for months unopened, so you can buy it on sale and store it, even up to 5 months. Once you open the container, use it within 10 days. So, stocking up on sales saves lots of money. We are considering buying our own soy-milk maker. A one time cost of $60 to $130, depending on the size of the machine, then we can buy soybeans in bulk from local farmers and make fresh milk whenever we want it!

Cow's milk is not necessary. Many people think children NEED it, but doctor's confirm that isn't true. Especially with the high rates of dairy-allergies and lactose-intolerance. Too much dairy can also aggravate ulcers and acid reflux disorders. I'm not vegetarian, but going non-dairy has been great for us!

that is insane!! I noticed that the price was starting to go down slightly too. I always buy 2 gallons a week, but looks like we'll have to skimp on one.

Also, keep in mind that the milk is always cheaper for some reason at the gas station!

__________________
~Missy~Mommy
Meghan8.Samantha7,Cameron4

wow, that is kinda crazy!! i dont know how much it is here right now, since i get WIC i dont pay much attention to the price.

__________________

I thought of one good thing to come out of these high milk prices ... I won't be using as much milk therefore I won't be going through as many plastic milk bottles! I can't recycle those in my area and I just don't have enough uses for all that we go through.

I'm also looking into using powered milk for cooking - not for drinking, just can't do it, I grew up on a dairy. I'm testing the powered milk out tomorrow on biscuits -- I've always had some for bread baking.

I have still never paid over $3 per gallon yet. We also dont drink much milk. My kids (teens) will drink it sometimes at breakfast, esp if I have chocolate. My dd only drinks vanilla soy milk. We also use a little on cereal. I've had many gallons spoil and have to be thrown out. It's just not a big item in our household. I do give my teen dd a calcium tablet each day per our pediatrician's recommendation as we have a lot of osteoporosis in our family. So I'm not freaking out yet about it...but then I'm not the freak out in advance sort of person.

__________________

What is a good price for rice milk, and where is a good place to get it either in bulk or whatever is cheaper?