For years, formula brands have marketed “toddler milk” as an essential nutritional tool for your child’s development. But the American Academy of Pediatrics reported that these products are often less nutritious (and more expensive) than regular whole milk.
While every parent wants to provide their child with optimal nutrition for their growth and development, it turns out toddler milks are not the best option, says Allegra Picano, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Henry Ford Health. “After age 1, children can get all the nutrients they need from a well-balanced diet, including cow’s milk.”
What Is Toddler Milk?
Toddler milk—also called toddler formula, follow-up formula, transition formula, weaning formula and growing-up milk—is a milk-like beverage shelved in the same aisles as infant formulas and marketed as a “continuation of formula” for children between 6 months and 3 years old.
Unlike infant formulas, which are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), toddler milks are an entirely unregulated category, so they’re not subject to the same nutritional standards.
“Products vary in nutrients and they don’t have to adhere to any established guidelines,” Picano says. “In fact, these ‘transitional milks’ are typically lower in protein and higher in fat than cow’s milk.”
Concerns About Toddler Milk
In recent years, the toddler milk market has made a splash with deceptive marketing strategies and unhealthy formulations featuring concerning ingredients. “It’s not just that they’re lacking nutrients, but they also boast less-than-healthy ingredients,” Picano says. A few suspects:
- Sweeteners: Most toddler milks contain high-calorie sweeteners like corn syrup, which don’t belong in a toddler’s diet. In fact, according to federal guidelines, toddlers under age 2 should have no processed sugar.
- Sodium: Many brands of toddler milk are higher in sodium than traditional cow’s milk.
- Vegetable oil: To meet kids’ energy needs, many toddler formulations include vegetable oil.
Early childhood is a time when taste preferences develop. It’s when children learn to like (or dislike) certain flavors. “If toddlers are loading up on sweetened milk products with excess salt, that’s likely to affect their taste preferences as they grow older,” explains Picano.
Research suggests that high sugar intake during early childhood is a key contributor to obesity. Other studies uncover a link between excess sodium during the early years and health problems later in life.
Unfortunately, these products are still popular among parents. So the AAP released a formal call for action with the release of a report highlighting the shortcomings of toddler milk.
How Do I Identify Transitional Formulas?
One of the issues with toddler formulas is that their packaging looks strikingly similar to FDA-regulated infant formula. In fact, they often sit on grocery store shelves alongside infant formula.
Pediatrics At Henry Ford
Picano says even savvy consumers may have trouble deciphering between toddler milks and true infant formula. And since the category isn’t regulated, manufacturers often make unsubstantiated claims that the drinks improve kids’ cognitive development and protect their immune systems.
The Best Nutritional Support For Your Toddler’s Development
The first years of a baby’s life are critical for optimal growth and development. The AAP recommends that babies younger than 1 drink infant formula or breast milk (or both).
Once children reach 1 year of age, cow’s milk is a nutrient-rich food that can help support their growth. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 1 and 2/3 to 2 cups of dairy per day for toddlers up to 2 years of age.
You can even begin serving your toddler the same food as the rest of the family. Called “baby-led weaning,” this practice entices kids to try new foods—and it tends to be a less expensive option.
“After age 1, growing children thrive on a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and cow’s milk,” Picano says. “The goal is to ensure your baby consumes a balanced diet that sets them up for a healthy life going forward.”
Reviewed by Allegra Picano, RDN, a pediatric registered dietitian nutritionist at Henry Ford Health.
