Milk alternatives can include beverages made from plants, such as soy, oat, rice, coconut, cashew, and almond. If you choose a milk alternative, here are things to remember: Milk alternatives should not be given before 12 months.
Like nut milks, oat milks are usually lower in protein and are therefore not recommended as a complete replacement for dairy milk for children that are younger than five. This means they are best enjoyed as a healthy addition to a balanced diet, which also includes other sources of protein.
Soy milk is a popular choice for parents dealing with cow's milk intolerance in toddlers as it's nutritionally similar to cow's milk. Fortified soy milk is recommended.
Low in Calories and Sugar
Still, for those who want to keep their 1-year-old from drinking too many sugary beverages, unsweetened almond milk may fit the bill, as long as you check the nutrition facts label to ensure it has a low sugar content.
Almond milk should not be offered as a beverage to babies under 12 months, although small amounts in recipes is fine. The WHO and AAP recommend breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life. Breastfeeding provides the nutrients babies need and exposes babies to different flavors from the mom's diet.
One-year-olds no longer need formula, and can now switch to whole milk. Some toddlers never drink milk; if that's the case with your child, please don't force it. Toddlers need the nutrients in milk — calcium and protein — but these nutrients are also available from other sources. Toddlers do not need milk.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you can start to wean babies off of formula at 12 months when their digestive systems are mature enough to digest cow's milk.
Goat's milk, by nature, is closer to human breast milk than cow's milk or soy, which means less processing and more natural goodness. It is high in oligosaccharides, similar in protein levels to human breastmilk, and is low in lactose, which makes it perfect for babies and toddlers with sensitive tummies.
It's best to wait until about 12 months to stop giving your baby formula. Babies still need nutrient-dense food sources, though, and cow's milk is the best thing to transition to.
First infant formula, follow-on formula or growing-up milks are not needed once your baby is 12 months old. Cows' milk can be introduced as a main drink from 12 months.
At 12 months old (but not before), your child can be introduced to cow's milk. Before your child is 12 months old, cow's milk may put him or her at risk for intestinal bleeding. It also has too many proteins and minerals for your baby's kidneys to handle and does not have the right amount of nutrients your baby needs.
Throughout the ages and until the end of the 19th century, animal's milk was the most common source of artificial feeding. As mentioned earlier, pap and panada were used only as supplements to animal's milk when the infant failed to thrive.
Vegan infants
For those children who do not have diagnosed allergies and are not on hypoallergenic formula, unsweetened calcium-fortified milk alternatives, such as soya, almond and oat drinks can be offered from one year of age as part of a healthy, balanced diet which contains plenty of calcium, protein and energy.
Never serve coconut milk to a baby younger than 12 months of age as it can displace critical nutrition from breast milk or formula. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that babies should drink only breast milk or formula until the first birthday (and optionally, small amounts of water after six months of age).
The NHS advises that babies can start to drink unsweetened calcium-fortified oat milk from 12 months old, as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Before your baby is six months old, breast milk or infant formula is the only thing they should be drinking.
But not in all instances, and not all oat milks. Keep in mind, as well, that oat milk for infants under 12 months is never appropriate as a drink. Before 12 months, babies should be drinking breast milk or formula and a little bit of water only. Many oat milks are not adequate in calories, fat, or protein for toddlers.
Soy milk. Soy milk is one of the most long-standing and commonly available non-dairy milk alternatives. In terms of protein, fat and calories, unsweetened soy milk is a nutrient-dense option for toddlers and kids.
Kids this age don't need special toddler milk or formulas, which contain added sugars. Toddlers can get all the nutrition they need by drinking cow's milk or a fortified soy drink and eating a variety of solid foods. When your child is 2, you can switch to low-fat or nonfat milk.
If your baby isn't a big fan of how cow's milk tastes, you can mix equal parts whole milk and either breast milk or prepared formula (don't mix powdered formula with whole milk instead of water). Then, gradually decrease the ratio of breast milk/formula to whole milk.