Does Your Toddler Need to Drink Cow’s Milk?
Are you one of the moms wondering, does my toddler need to drink cow’s milk? Then you’ve come to the right place. Beginning consuming cow’s milk in the child’s diet is not recommended before the first year of life because it does not meet all his needs in that period, and the child’s digestive system is not sufficiently developed and is unable to digest cow’s milk proteins.
If you want to continue breastfeeding there is absolutely no need to add in cow’s milk or another alternative. In fact, nobody really needs milk in their diet.
If you are breastfeeding then remember that your milk is “whole milk”. The more breastmilk your baby gets, the less you need to worry about getting additional fat from whole milk/other sources.
Breastmilk over Whole Milk
What About Cow's milk?
Cows milk:
- does not have enough iron and essential fatty acids, which may lead to anemia in children and a negative impact on brain development;
- does not have enough zinc, selenium, iodine, vitamins A, D, C, and E.
- has a large amount of protein, which burdens the work of the kidneys and increases the possibility of allergies;
- has too much sodium, potassium and chlorine.
For a long time, cow’s milk was considered to be the best source of calcium, in addition to the mother’s.
Experts claim that milk is important, but that it should not be insisted on, because calcium, which is necessary for the proper development of bones, teeth, heart, nerves, and muscles, can be ingested by a child through non-dairy products.
After the fourth month, we can start the gradual introduction of a non-dairy diet that has its advantages as well as a dairy one. The child thus receives the appropriate vitamins and microelements through food.
A child from the age of one is recommended up to 500 ml of milk and dairy products during the day, there is no need for anything beyond that. Calcium is good for bone and nervous system growth, but if more milk and dairy products are ingested, calcium can block the absorption of iron from meat.
Prefer fermented products such as yogurt, sour milk, and kefir. Give them an advantage over cow’s milk, We talking about a period of one year. Fermented products will provide enough calcium, they are good for digestion, and intestines. But, don’t force, because they are not the main food that a child should consume.
Food High in Nutrients provided by Milk
Vitamin D is the key to Calcium Absorption
In addition to calcium, vitamin D plays an important role in protecting bones and strengthening immunity. Therefore advises increased intake of vitamin D, especially in the winter, when there is not enough sunlight.
We need to be in the sun for 10 minutes a day, in order to activate vitamin D, which is essential for the proper absorption of calcium. When we get vitamin D deficiency during the winter months, we have to make up for it later, in order to establish a maintenance dose. Balance is important, and vitamin D is coupled with calcium. Negative calcium balance in the body is always associated with vitamin D deficiency. The advice is generally to avoid meat and dairy products in one meal.
Comparation and Alternatives
On average:
Whole Cow milk:
- 149cal, 8g protein, 8g fat, 276mg Calcium, 124iu vitamin D;
Whole Goat Milk:
- 140cal, 8g protein, 7g fat, 300mg Calcium, 100iu vitamin D;
Oat Milk:
- 130cal, 4g protein, 2.5g fat, 350mg Calcium, 100iu vitamin D;
Pea protein Milk:
- 100cal, 8g protein, 4.5g fat, 450mg Calcium, 120iu vitamin D;
Toddler Needs from 1-3 years
- Calories: 1000-1.200/day;
- Protein: 13g/day;
- Fat: 19g/day;
- Calcium: 700mg/day;
- Iron: 7mg/day:
- Vitamin D: 600 IU;
- Water: 2-4 cups (16-32oz).
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