With all the awareness campaigns going around, Moms are well informed about breastfeeding and that it’s best to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of a baby’s life. But after that, the confusion begins! “When can I give my baby cow’s milk?”, “Should I continue to breastfeed as well?” are the most frequently asked questions. Most of these stem from Moms feeling that their breast milk isn’t enough for their babies anymore.
The doubts about milk don’t end as kids enter toddlerhood! “How much milk does my toddler need?” is a common question at this stage. We’ve answered all your questions here, and we hope this article helps to clear your doubts regarding giving your child cow’s milk.
Why NO Cow’s Milk till 1 year ?
Cow’s milk has been shown to trigger allergies in babies and it is always advisable to wait atleast till 1 year. Cow’s milk lacks some essential nutrients like Iron and there is a chance that infants drinking cow’s milk may develop Iron deficiency anemia.
You can read the detailed article here: Why NO Cow’s milk till 1 year?
When can I give my Baby Cow’s milk?
Cow’s Milk can be slowly introduced to your baby’s diet after his first birthday. Milk becomes less important after a year as toddlers start eating the same variety of foods that the family eats. If you are breastfeeding, then you can continue till 2 years of age as per WHO and lower the cow’s milk intake accordingly. If your baby was on formula then he can switch over to cow’s milk after 1 year.
How much Milk does my Toddler need?
- According to the recent study by American Academy of Paediatrics, Two Cups of cow’s milk per day is sufficient.
- Till 2 years of age, whole fat milk is recommended as fat is an important source of energy and essential fatty acids necessary for brain and nervous system development.
- After 2 years of age, switch to low fat milk if the child likes it and takes it well, and there is another reliable dietary fat source in his diet.
- Always introduce milk in sippy cups; not in feeding bottles
- Please avoid health drinks like Horlicks, Bournvita or Pediasure atleast till 2 years of age. Even after 2 years of age, it is recommended to give children a Homemade health mix , instead of the commercially available health mixes.
Recipes with Milk for Toddlers
1. Dry Fruit Milkshake for Toddlers
A nutritious way to include dry fruits for toddlers, add this Dry Fruit Powder Mix to milk and serve it hot or chilled.
If your toddler doesn’t like plain milk, a combo of fruits and milk make a good treat for the little one.
Instead of the commercially available health mix, this Homemade health Mix makes a good nutritious, weight gaining drink for toddlers.
Infants and toddlers are at a very exciting stage in their lives – that of trying new foods! So, take it easy and enjoy this stage with them, and leave all your diet-related worries to us! Now that you know when and how your child can have cow’s milk, you can try out our range of recipes shown above. Do let us know which one you liked best!
Other Helpful Resources:
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/importance-milk-toddlers-4040.html
https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/Advice-to-Children-to-Drink-Their-Milk-Should-Come-With-Recommended-Amounts.aspx
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=18162844
http://www.webmd.com/children/news/20080711/baby-milk-recommendations-changed
Is it safe to use cow’s milk or other milks as a supplement to breastfeeding?
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1594357?dopt=Abstract
http://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/fmf/fmf-98-fat-in-milk.php
Hi
My baby is 2 years 5 months old . I have been giving full cream milk to her. Shall I switch to low fat milk now . In aavin which is best among green (4 % fat) , blue (3 % fat) magenta . (1.5 % fat) please suggest .
Hi Manimalar, You can switch to the normal milk not needed to go for low fat milk.
hi mam
actually my baby did not feed as much as needed to a new born but now he is 14 months old baby ……..& i am giving mix fruit cerelac , Naan ,and marie gold buiscuit ,cow milk also ……..so is it k. or any other food he needs to eat .
pls mam tell me as my baby did not get mother milk ………what food i can give now to him.
Hi Chinmayee you can check the foodchart for toddlers for more options https://goo.gl/4g6b7s. Continue to give him variety of foods you can search for toddler recipes on the blog for many healthy options.
hi hema.my son is 7 months old.can I give toned milk to him?as he is not taking formula(lactogen 2)
My daughter is 1 year 1 Month old.. Can I strt Aavin milk to her? If yes I should give blue or green?
Yes you can start , you can start with full fat milk
Hi doctor,
Thank u for this blog . It helped me lot.
In few weeks my son will turn one . I decided to breastfeed till 2 yrs . How much cow milk should I give him ?
Hello Hema ,
Can I give directly available packet milk (full fat) ? Or do I need to add water to the milk with same quantity ?
Thank you ,
Sailu
Dear Sailu,
You can give directly
Hi Doctor,
My son is 9 months old. He takes all solid food,home made rice cereal kanji,rice, sathumaavu, fruits, veggies. But he doesn’t like Milk. I tried Formula and Aavin milk, both he doesn’t like. I have breastfed him exclusively for 5 months and after I joined work at 6th month, started on formula once during day time along with kanjis and rest of the time I’m breastfeeding him. But after a month he started disliking Formula, then we tried Aavin, still he refuses. There is no allergic reactions with him, he simply doesn’t like. Now I still breastfeed him in the morning,3 to 4 times throughout night and whenever at home apart from his regular solids. We try to feed him milk only twice, as soon as he wakes up in the morning and during evening
Is it fine if he doesn’t take milk at all when he is perfectly fine with all the solids?
Hi Divya,
It is perfectly fine, breastmilk is the best milk at this stage, he doesnt need formula if he has has solids and breastmilk adequately
Hi Doc,
This website is indeed a blessing for a new mum like me…
I would like to know .my son is 10months old ,and I want to rejoin work soon but he does not take any formula milk .. B besides breastmilk..how to avoid it
Thanks..
Hi anna,
You can express breastmilk and store in refrigerator and ask your caretaker to feed the baby, read more about How to express breastmilk and storage guidelines
HI mam am a new mom.. My 5 months lo take formula n bf too.. My question is. When can I stop formula? can I introduce buffalo milk to my son? Right now I introduced rice cereal to him.
Plz suggest me regarding milk
HI Swetha,
If you have enough breastmilk, then he doesn’t need formula at all, when you start solids, you can breastfeed him with the complementary foods, please give buffalo milk only after 1 year
I started idly to my 8 months girl baby is it aviced to add cow milk with it. As el
Hi Dhivya,
It is better to avoid cow’s milk before 1 year, if you are using, take care that it does not replace breastfeed
Thank you mam . your website is so nice and very helpful to me as a new mom . i am continuing my breastfeed but as elders said i gave idly with cows milk as i cannot find a better choice to soak idly.
Hi Dhivya, i used to give my daughter idly soaked in curd or hot water, do try that