How long do toddlers drink whole milk

Non-dairy milks are made from plant ingredients like rice, almonds, coconuts, oats and more. Here are some tricks to try.

In the meantime, here are some of the best calcium-rich foods for milk-averse toddlers:. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations.

Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.

This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Registry Builder New. Introducing Cow's Milk. Medically Reviewed by Micah Resnick, M. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. There's also the issue of vitamin absorption. Vitamin D, which is added to milk and helps with calcium absorption, is fat-soluble, meaning you need fat in order to absorb it.

With whole milk, you get the whole package, but drinking skim milk on its own limits your body's ability to absorb the D, says Harrison. Vitamin A is also fat-soluble , but the form of it that's naturally in milk doesn't need fat to be absorbed, says Gans.

If you have a skim-milk drinker and you're concerned about the vitamin-absorption issue, just make sure he or she eats something containing fat along with that glass of milk to get the full benefits, says Harrison. What's more, more and more studies, including a meta-analysis published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggests the link between saturated fat and heart disease isn't as straightforward as previously thought.

Does this settle the saturated fat debate? Two percent milk has the same nutrients as whole milk and actually contains more protein per serving, according to Sears, but it provides significantly less saturated fat. Once your toddler has passed his second birthday, the risks of saturated fat -- including clogged arteries and obesity -- are greater than the early benefits.

If you have overweight or obesity, or have a personal or family history of obesity, cardiovascular health issues or high cholesterol, your child's pediatrician might recommend that your child start drinking 2 percent milk earlier than age 2. In some cases, the pediatrician might recommend skipping whole milk entirely and starting your baby on 2 percent.

Similarly, if your child has any growth problems, her pediatrician could recommend sticking with whole milk a little longer. Talk to the pediatrician about your child's health history to make the best dietary decisions. Nutrition Beverages Milk. Some babies are ready around 4 months. When you do start solid foods, keep in mind that solids are not nutrition at this age.

Solid foods at this age are for taste and the practicing the mechanics of a new texture. The science and opinion about food allergies and prevention have changed in recent years.

New studies show that delayed introduction of peanuts increases the risk for developing peanut allergy. For most infants, it is now recommended that foods containing peanuts be introduced, along with other varieties of solid foods, between 4 and 11 months.

If there is a strong family history of food allergies or your baby has severe eczema or an egg allergy, he or she should be tested for a peanut allergy first. Most other babies, even those with mild to moderate eczema, are encouraged to start foods containing peanuts. One way to introduce foods containing peanuts is to add peanut powder to cereal. You can also mix peanut butter in pureed fruit like applesauce or infant cereal.

Talk to your pediatrician if you notice signs of a food allergy such as vomiting, diarrhea, or rash after eating a new food. If your baby ever has facial swelling or trouble breathing after eating a food, call immediately. And remember, whole peanuts are a choking hazard to children under 4 years of age.

Around 8 months is a good time to introduce finger foods — small, soft, bite-size pieces of food. Let your baby touch, smell, and taste many different kinds of foods. Be patient, though, because your baby may take longer to eat now that they are becoming more independent. At 1 year of age, babies can switch to whole cow's milk. It is important to use whole milk because children under 2 years of age need the extra fat for brain development.

When it comes time to wean from nursing, your baby can also start to take whole milk. Your toddler should get ounces of milk per day. This allows them to get enough calcium, vitamin D and fat. However, if your child gets too much milk and fills up on this, he may not get enough nutrients from other foods. Your toddler should be joining you at the table for meals and be learning about mealtime as family time. Family meals have many benefits as they grow. Every baby is special.

In fact, this is perfectly normal. Suggested foods and portion sizes are only guidelines to help get you started. If your child doesn't want to eat food but drinks a lot of milk and juice, he or she may be filling up on calories energy from these liquids. Preschoolers should not drink more than 24 ounces of milk each day.

Juice is not as nutritious as fresh whole fruit. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics , unless clinically indicated, juice should never be introduced prior to 12 months of age. To reduce the amount of juice your child takes in, try diluting it with water and add more water gradually each day until your child is drinking plain water to quench her thirst. This will help your child make the change little by little.

Or, for a yummy alternative to juice, try a fruit smoothie made with whole fruit and yogurt in the blender.

Your child should not drink soda pop or other sweetened drinks. Soda fills your child up with either empty calories or artificial sweeteners and often contains caffeine. It is not good for your teeth to have acidic, sugary liquid pass over them as you drink. Remember to model good nutrition habits and, if your family likes these drinks, save them for an occasional, special treat. You decide what to offer, and your child decides what to eat and how much from the choices offered.

As long as your child has energy and is healthy and growing, they are probably getting enough food. The earlier you start healthy snacking habits, the better. Think of snacks as mini meals and use them to get more grains, fruits, and vegetables into your child's diet. Try to include at least two food groups in every snack. Updated visitor guidelines.

How much should my breastfed baby eat? Most breastfed babies eat more frequently than those who are formula fed.