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    MJ & Hungryman » Feeding tips

    The Best Milk for Toddlers

    By Min On December 2, 2019, Updated April 24, 2022

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

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    a close up shot of milk being poured into glass cup

    With so many options and nutritional considerations, choosing the best milk for toddlers may be tricky. This in-depth post will help you to make the most informed decision.

    a close up shot of milk being poured into glass cup
    Jump to:
    • Top Common Questions Answered
    • Milk Nutrition Comparison Chart
    • Best Milk for 1 to 2 year olds
    • Best Milk for 2 years and older
    • Best non-dairy milk for toddlers
    • Does a toddler need to drink milk?
    • To sum

    Top Common Questions Answered

    When should I introduce milk to my child?

    If you're breastfeeding, you might be feeling confused as to when to introduce milk to your child's diet and whether or not it's necessary to do so. Just like with many transitions, it's scary to move from breastfeeding/formula to milk, isn't it?

    I discuss in this post the importance of taking a gentle and slow approach when it comes to weaning as well as the current recommendations on how long to continue breastfeeding.

    First, know that breastmilk will continue to offer your child many benefits from nutritional, immunological, and emotional standpoints. However, after one year of age, getting nutrients from foods becomes a priority as milk, whether it's breastmilk, cow's milk, or plant-based alternatives, cannot meet all their needs to support their growth and development. 

    If your child is still nursing a lot after one year of age and isn't showing much interest in food, I recommend offering the meal before you nurse. Once your child starts to eat more food, the number of sessions should naturally decrease.

    The goal here is that by age two, your child will rely less on liquid nutrition and more on solid food.

    How can I select the best milk for my toddler?

    Toddler's tummies are small, so it's important to make every bite and sip count! 

    Important considerations:
    Milk nutrition: Does it contain the essential nutrients like fat, protein, calcium, and vitamin D? 
    Does it contain added sugar?
    What's on the ingredient list?
    Is it affordable?
    Is it readily available?
    Dietary preferences - is your family vegetarian? 
    Medical conditions - does your child have an allergy to dairy, soy, or nuts?

    The most important thing to remember is that regardless of which milk you choose, you want to ensure that your child's diet is not lacking the key nutrients mentioned. 

    So for instance, if you select almond or coconut milk, you'll need to be more proactive about serving other foods that are rich in protein and fat. More on this below.

    What about milk for babies?

    Do NOT offer milk other than breastmilk or formula.

    Cow’s milk may put babies at risk for intestinal bleeding. It's also high in protein which, just like with sodium, can be too much for your baby's kidneys to handle

    However, dairy products like yogurt and cheese are fine to introduce as early as 6 months of age. You can also cook with milk too. You just don't want to offer it as a drink!

    Check out: Best first foods for babies

    How much milk should a toddler drink per day?

    The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 2-3 servings of dairy per day, or about 16 to a maximum of 24 ounces of milk per day. You can check out all the recommended portion sizes for each food group here. 

    When is the best time for toddlers to drink milk?

    Remember, milk is filling and so if offered throughout the day, it can sabotage their appetite and lead to grazing and not eating their meals. So the best time to drink milk is with their snacks/meals.

    Milk Nutrition Comparison Chart

    Here's a chart for a comparison of common unflavored, unsweetened milk alternatives. The numbers are based on USDA nutrient database.

    Do check your labels as protein and vitamin content may differ depending on the brand you get.

    Type (1 cup)
    Calories
    Protein (g)
    Fat (g)
    Calcium (mg)
    Vitamin D (IU)
    Iron (mg)
    Breastmilk
    172
    2.5
    11
    79
    10
    0.07
    Whole Cow's Milk
    150
    8
    8
    306
    128
    0.07
    2% Cow's Milk
    122
    4.8
    4.9
    293
    117
    0.05
    Goat's Milk
    168
    10
    9
    327
    128
    0.122
    Soy Milk
    105
    3.6
    6.3
    300
    108
    1
    Pea Milk
    70
    4.5
    8
    465
    120
    1
    Hemp Milk
    70
    5
    3
    300
    100
    1.8
    Oat Milk
    130
    2.5
    4
    350
    100
    1.8
    Coconut Milk
    76
    5.1
    4.5
    459
    96
    0.73
    Almond Milk
    37
    2.7
    1.4
    481
    96
    0.85
    Rice Milk
    115
    2.4
    0.68
    288
    96
    0.49

    Best Milk for 1 to 2 year olds

    The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends WHOLE cow's milk in the absence of a dairy allergy.

    That's because, as you can see in the chart above, cow's milk is an excellent and convenient source of many of the key nutrients. It's also readily available and cost-effective compared to others. 

    Now, I know there's a lot of misinformation out there that you MUST introduce cow's milk at a year. That's simply not true.

    Again, referring to the chart, breastmilk has a higher fat content compared to whole cow's milk, and the nutrients are more bioavailable as well, meaning they are more easily absorbed in the body.

    As long as you're nursing at least 3-4 times a day, there's no need to add cow's milk. 

    However, the two key nutrients during this age, calcium and vitamin D, are quite low in breastmilk. Therefore, you must ensure that your child is getting adequate amounts through their diet. More on this below. 

    Best Milk for 2 years and older

    While the recommendation is to switch to low-fat milk at this time to reduce total fat intake, there's a lack of evidence to show its overall benefit.

    The fact is, fat is an ESSENTIAL part of a well-balanced diet and super important for not only babies but young toddlers. They continue to have increased caloric requirements for growth and brain development. 

    Not to mention, a low-fat diet often leads to high carbohydrate intake with inadequate nutrients. So rather than trying to eliminate fat from your child's diet, focus on offering healthy fats!

    Saturated fat in whole milk, cheese, or coconut oil is different from the saturated fat found in pizza, fried foods, baked goods, and other processed meat products. Trans fat, is one type of fat you do want to avoid completely! 

    I personally am still serving whole-fat dairy to my 2-year-old. It definitely keeps him fuller for longer.

    Best non-dairy milk for toddlers

    As you can see in the milk comparison chart above, the best choices that will help meet your toddler's nutritional needs are soy and pea milks.

    If it's necessary for your child to consume milk other than these options, it may be helpful to consult with your pediatrician or a registered dietitian to make sure that your child is getting the adequate nutrition they need to for them to grow and thrive.

    A brief note about soy

    I get asked this question A LOT, so I thought it's worth mentioning here. Many parents are concerned about serving soy products to their children due to fear that it may cause cancer or feminization in boys. It's true that soy foods contain isoflavones (a phytoestrogen), which are similar to hormone estrogen in structure. However, phytoestrogen and estrogen are not the same, and they behave differently in the body.

    All this to say, a moderate consumption of 1 to 2 servings of whole soy foods, such as tofu, soy milk, edamame, and soy nuts are deemed safe, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research.

    A serving equals: 1 cup of soymilk, ½ cup of tofu, tempeh, or soybeans. Avoid processed soy products, like soy burgers, bars, etc. 

    Related: How to Prepare Tofu

    Selecting dairy-free milk:

    • Look at the ingredient list! Oftentimes these milk have a really long list. Shorter the better.
    • Make sure to look for full fat, plain, and unsweetened option.
    • Shake up the bottle really well before serving as the fortified nutrients settle to the bottom.
    • Make sure it's fortified with calcium (you'll see it listed in the ingredient list either as calcium carbonate or tri-calcium phosphate. Choose the one with calcium carbonate as it's more absorbable.) and vitamin D.

    Does a toddler need to drink milk?

    Yes and no. Milk is such a convenient way to provide the key nutrients that they need. However, as long as your child is getting the adequate amounts of protein, fat, calcium, and vitamin D through food, it's not required.

    Good dietary sources for:

    • Fat: avocado, nuts, seeds, fatty fish, eggs, oils (e.g. olive, avocado, coconut, sesame, walnut, canola), whole fat or 2% dairy products
    • Protein: meats, poultry, fish, peas, beans, lentils, eggs, grains, nuts, seeds, cheese, yogurt
    • Calcium: yogurt, cheese, green leafy vegetables (spinach, collards, kale), broccoli, cabbage, tofu and other soy products, beans, nuts and seeds, seafood/fish (with bones), fortified foods (e.g. cereals, bread), backstrap molasses
    • Vitamin D: this is a challenging nutrient to meet from our diets so  you may need to supplement if you're not doing cow's milk. It's found in the flesh of the fatty fish (like salmon, tuna, mackerel), beef liver, cheese, egg yolks, mushrooms, and fortified foods like cheese, yogurt, and cereals. 

    To sum

    The best milk for your child is one that will help meet your child's nutritional, medical needs, and taste preferences.

    More Baby and Toddler Feeding Tips

    • A four image collage of simple BLW meals.
      Baby Led Weaning Made Easy (a complete Guide)
    • A four image collage showing how to serve protein finger foods for baby
      Best Healthy Finger Foods for Baby
    • A four image collage of healthy baby snacks including iron.
      Healthy Baby Snacks (Easy and Balanced)
    • A four image collage of best baby cereals.
      Best Baby Cereal (2023)

    Share or Save It for Later!

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    About Min

    Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, I’m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lauren says

      February 08, 2023 at 10:38 pm

      Great blog post! What should the maximum daily amount of (expressed) breastmilk be after 1 year to avoid displacing solids?

      Reply
      • Min says

        February 09, 2023 at 6:57 am

        I would try to follow your child's lead rather than focusing on a number. If you find that your child prefers milk and doesn't eat well then I would try to play around with the timing of milk and solids as well as the amount

        Reply
    2. Shannon says

      August 06, 2022 at 5:26 pm

      I remember working in the child care center and milk was a requirement by law to give to all the kids in the center.

      Reply
      • Sara says

        March 22, 2023 at 12:41 pm

        Thank you so much for this article! I keep going back and forth on whether cow's milk is best for my kids. There's so much online about the negative impact of cow's milk etc! Now I don't feel so bad! Thank you again!

        Reply
        • Min says

          March 22, 2023 at 8:58 pm

          It can be so confusing to navigate for sure! I'm so glad you found this helpful!

          Reply
    3. Emily says

      April 23, 2022 at 11:47 pm

      I love this post, especially the nutrition comparison chart. Have you looked into cashew milk? I know it’s not a common store bought milk, but I make my own sometimes & wonder if the nutrition content might be comparable to some of the other non dairy options. Thank you for your work!

      Reply
      • Min says

        April 24, 2022 at 7:26 pm

        Yes it will be comparable to almond milk. If you enjoy cashew milk then that's totally fine. Just make sure that your child is getting adequate fat, protein, calcium, and vitamin D from other sources. Def try to fortify your homemade milk with calcium and vitamin D.

        Reply
    4. Rachel H says

      October 14, 2021 at 9:39 am

      When you say someone should not give cow’s milk before one, does that include yogurt or just milk?

      Reply
      • Min says

        October 14, 2021 at 9:44 am

        A great question! So you don't want to offer it as a drink. You can cook with cow's milk (add to muffins, oatmeal, etc). And you can offer yogurt or cheese before one too. If have questions about yogurt, I have a post on that too. Just search for best yogurt.

        Reply
    5. Shafali says

      December 06, 2019 at 5:05 pm

      This article is so informative and detailed .
      I guess all my queries are solved now . Thankyou so much 🙂

      Reply
      • Min says

        December 06, 2019 at 6:50 pm

        Yay!! I'm so glad 😉

        Reply
    6. Helene says

      December 03, 2019 at 11:46 am

      Hello Min,
      Thanks for the info!
      Is there a typo? You mentioned the Breast milk has higher fat content than Cow's milk but the chart shows otherwise.
      Please advise!

      Reply
      • Min says

        December 03, 2019 at 12:05 pm

        Yup! You're absolutely right! Thanks so much for catching that. Just fixed it. the values for fat and protein were flipped...

        Reply
    7. Amy says

      December 03, 2019 at 10:57 am

      Thank you for this post! My husband and I were googling furiously whether or not my toddler needed cow's milk. This is very helpful, thank you.

      Reply
      • Min says

        December 03, 2019 at 10:59 am

        You're very welcome!! So glad you found this helpful 😉

        Reply

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    I am MJ, a registered dietitian and a mom of 2. I truly hope you’ll enjoy all the recipes and tips that I share on what and how to feed your child!

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