Milk provides a lot of nutrition for toddlers; it’s packed with protein, calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, and fat that growing toddlers need.
You’ve also probably noticed that there are a lot of different types of milk that are available on the market. From full cream milk, evaporated, low fat etc., it can be hard for parents to figure out what’s the best type of milk to give their little one.
What’s the best milk for my toddler?
When it comes to what type of milk is best for your toddler, you need to consider how old your toddler is.
For babies under 1 year old:
For babies who are under 1 year old, only breastmilk and formula milk should be given. Cow’s milk or any other type of milk is a big no-no, since it would be difficult for them to digest cow’s milk at their age.
However, milk products such as yogurt and cheese can be introduced at 6 months. It’s actually a good idea to do so, since yogurt contains healthy bacteria that’s really good for your baby’s tummy.
For 1-year-olds:
Back in the day, the old practice was to provide 1-year-olds with full cream milk since it was thought that the fats contained in the milk helped with the child’s development. However, experts found that it wasn’t necessary for 1-year-olds to drink full cream milk since they get plenty of healthy fats from other food sources.
Experts also found that it’s important for children to not be given too much fatty foods or foods that have high cholesterol levels, since it can cause them to become overweight or obese when they’re older.
That’s why for 1-year-olds, giving them low-fat milk would be fine. That way, they can get the important nutrients from milk, without the added fat. Plus, it also lets them get used to the taste of low-fat milk early on. However, this doesn’t mean that you should refrain from giving your toddler full cream milk.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should refrain from giving your toddler full cream milk. If your child has a healthy weight, and you don’t have any history of obesity, heart problems, or high blood and cholesterol in your family, then giving your child full cream milk is alright.
For kids 2 years old and above:
For those with kids who are 2 years old and above, it really boils down to your child’s diet.
The main difference between low-fat milk and full cream milk mainly has to do with the fat and calories that are contained in the milk. So if you think that your toddler isn’t getting enough calories from the food that they eat, it’s a good idea to give them full cream milk so that they get enough fat and calories in their diet.
However, if you think that your child has enough calories and fat in their diet, or if they’re a bit on the heavier side, it’s a good idea to give them low-fat milk instead. That way they can get the essential nutrients of milk, but without the added fat and calories.
Source: whattoexpect.com, today.com
READ: 7 ways of pumping and storing that cause breastmilk contamination
