I get a lot of questions about milk for babies… like when should I be introducing baby to milk, or how much milk should they drink?
Your baby definitely needs milk, but the type of milk is key, depending on the baby’s age.
Babies’ stomachs are small, and they grow fast. Everything that enters their mouths needs to contribute to their growth. The reason milk for babies is so important is because it provides these nutritional benefits to help them grow:
- fat and calories
- minerals
- vitamins
- some protein
babies only need one milk at a time
If you’re providing breast milk for baby, your milk also contains additional benefits like immune antibodies, probiotics, and prebiotics. This milk is so good for your baby, there’s really no need to introduce baby to any other kind of milk. Similarly, formula is made specifically for your baby’s nutritional needs, so there’s no need to supplement formula with other kinds of milk.
However, that doesn’t mean you CAN’T supplement with cow’s milk or other milks, once your baby is old enough.
Here are the recommendations for the type of milk for each age range:
a data-based guide to introducing milk to baby
Let’s take a look at why this progression is recommended. If you’re interested in data, here’s a nutritional comparison of various milks and alternatives:
Breast milk |
Whole cow’s milk | 2% cow’s milk | Soy milk | Almond milk | Whole Goat’s milk (enriched) | Rice milk | Coconut milk | |
Calories | 182 kcal | 157 kcal | 129 kcal | 110 kcal | 60 kcal | 178 kcal | 127 kcal | 45 kcal |
Fat (g) | 11.8 | 8.1 | 5.1 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 10.7 | 2.1 | 4.5 |
Protein (g) | 2.7 | 8.4 | 8.5 | 6.7 | 1 | 9.8 | 0.4 | 0.5 |
Carbs (g) | 17.9 | 12.4 | 12.4 | 12.6 | 7 | 11.5 | 26.3 | 2 |
Calcium | 83 | 291 | 309 | 321 | ~300 | 345 | 319 | 0 |
Magnesium | 8 | 26 | 28 | 39 | 6% | 36 | 10 | ? |
Iron | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.05 | 1.08 | 4% | 0.13 | 0.21 | 2% |
Folate | 13 DFE | 13 DFE | 13 DFE | 23 | 37 DFE (3 naturally occurring) | 96 DFE | ? | |
Sodium | 44 | 111 | 121 | 121 | 129 | 91 | 15 | |
Source | CNFD | CNFD | CNFD | CNFD | almond breeeze.ca | CNFD | CNFD | so delicious |
milk comparison: 1 cup (250 ml)
If you’re not interested in all that data, here are the main considerations when introducing baby to milk:
- Babies were designed to grow optimally on breastmilk. So when considering milk for baby, it’s very important to make any transition slowly. Formulas replicate the breastmilk optimization as best as possible, so the same goes for the transition from baby formula to other foods.
- Milk for babies is important because they’re accustomed to getting their calories in liquid form. You may not realize the significant contribution milk makes to the caloric intake of a baby. At 12 months, a child gets approximately 35-40% of their calories from milk. So it’s recommended that a child over 12 months continue drinking between 2-3 cups of milk. This is 314-461 calories.
- There are problematic differences between breastmilk and other milk for baby. Babies’ bodies have not yet developed to the point that they can regulate things like increased levels of sodium. Because of this, introducing baby to milk too early can be dangerous! If you look at the sodium levels, you’ll see that breastmilk is relatively low in sodium. As the body develops, the kidneys will be able to refilter sodium, but in early infancy we need to be careful about not feeding them food that they’re not yet ready to handle.
why not soy milk or goat’s milk or rice milk or…?
Many of my clients ask about other kinds of milk for baby, wondering when it’s okay to introduce these milk alternatives. Unfortunately, none of those milks alternatives are appropriate for children under two years of age (unless directed under medical or dietetic supervision). If a child is no longer breastfeeding and is unable to drink whole cow’s milk, formula should be given.
- Goat’s milk is naturally low in folate. If goat’s milk is offered to children it should be whole fat goat’s milk fortified with folic acid (synthetic folate).
- Soy beverage is low in fat and slightly low in protein.
- Rice, almond, coconut, hemp, and pretty much all other milk alternatives are low in protein, fat, and calories.
There have been cases where infants have developed nutrient deficiencies when they’ve been fed an inappropriate milk alternative without supervision by a nutrition professional.
- This 11 month old baby in Spain developed scurvy, a severe form of Vitamin C deficiency, after consuming almond milk almost exclusively from two months old.
- This 22 month old baby was found severely lacking in protein and calories after being weaned from breastmilk to a rice beverage at 13 months.
For the rest of the family, an alternative milk may be fine! We all have unique nutritional needs, which is why I created this guide to deciding which milk or alternative is best for YOUR unique needs
why I always recommend whole milk for babies
In the 70s, childhood obesity was on the rise. With good intentions to reduce this trend, some physicians started to recommend that infants be given skim (fat-free) milk. However, this study shows babies fed skim milk deplete their fat stores to maintain growth in length. Children need the fat for brain development and the additional calories fat provides for growth.
how much milk should baby drink?
For the most part, I tell parents to follow Ellyn Satter’s division of responsibility. According to this plan, caregivers decide what, when, and where food is offered, but the child decides whether they’ll eat and how much they’ll eat. I’ll emphasize that last part: you, the caregiver, don’t set a minimum or maximum amount of food.
Milk, however, can be the exception. I don’t recommend forcing children to drink milk if they don’t like it. For those children, you’ll need to be more creative in offering dairy or alternatives in a way they’ll accept (example: cook oatmeal in milk instead of water). Alternatively, there are children who will happily guzzle milk all day long, to the point where they won’t eat much else. This means a milk restriction will be needed for those children.
Too much of a good thing does exist! Children who drink more than 3 cups (750 ml or 24 oz) of milk a day are at higher risk of developing an iron deficiency. This is because:
- milk is a low source of iron
- calcium in milk can inhibit iron absorption
- high milk intake can lower intakes of other foods (some of which will be the high iron sources or sources of Vitamin C, which helps increase iron absorption)
conclusion – is milk for babies?
Historically, this question would not have popped into anyone’s minds. In today’s Western culture, most mothers wean a lot earlier than our ancestors would have.
Without wanting to sound too alarmist, the type and amount of beverages a young child drinks is rather important to their growth and development. If you are concerned about your child’s intake please seek out the expertise of a Registered Dietitian! We can help you develop a feeding plan that will work with your family’s eating preferences (eg: veganism), your child’s food tolerances/intolerances, and your child’s food preferences…..all while meeting his or her nutritional needs!
For more reading on infant nutrition, check out these articles!
- Baby led weaning: how to do it safely
- 10 things every pregnant women should know about breastfeeding
- Food before one is just for fun (and other LIES that rhyme)
- The complete guide to infant cereals
Additionally, I know that starting your baby on solids can feel overwhelming and you may have other worries such as…
- I’m afraid my baby will choke!
- I’m afraid my baby won’t be getting enough of the right nutrients!
- I’m afraid my baby will have an allergic reaction!
- I’m afraid my baby is not eating enough… too much!
- I’m afraid my baby will be a picky eater!
My friend and fellow pediatric dietitian, Nita and I have create a FREE guide for you to address these fears and most of all, help you work through them! Just enter your email below and you’ll get the guide sent to your inbox.
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Kim says
My 11.5 month old has 3 meals a day and also 3 bottles 7 oz of breast milk. I am now only pumping 5 oz and she’s frustrated without the extra 2 oz she’s used to. Her doc says I can add whole milk to my breast milk to supplement the extra 2 oz. What is your opinion on adding whole milk to breast milk?
Jessica Penner, RD says
I don’t think there’s one right way to transition baby from breastmilk to whole milk. Mixing is totally fine, So would offering whole milk separately! Sometimes it’s a bit of experimenting to see what works best for your baby!
Laurie says
What is the best brand of milk to start my baby in a month when she turns 1? She has on had breast milk.
Jessica Penner, RD says
If you’re asking about dairy milk, there isn’t any nutritional difference between brands. Hope that answers your question!
Hannah says
Hi, my daughter has just turned 1 and has been breastfed but I am diary, soya and egg free because she had reactions and intolerant to them. I’ve been advised by my dietician to try either oat or almond milk but she’s sensitive to oats as in she gets tummy upset so going to give almond milk ago. I’ve not been advised what extra to give my daughter to make up for the lack of fat, protein and calories the almond milk doesn’t give? Can you advise me please?
Jessica Penner, RD says
Hi Hannah, I apologize but I’m not able to provide specific feedback on your daughter’s diet without completing a full nutritional assessment on her! I’d highly recommend seeking out a Dietitian to get an individualized plan for her!
Angie Marcum says
My 11 month old has had diarrhea since she was two months old. She also developed a rash around 4 months and it has never completely gone away. Our “new” pediatrician advised us to switch to a soy or almond milk. We tried soy, and she did not like it. However, the almond is a little more tolerable for her. She’s been drinking it for about two weeks now. We’ve noticed a huge change in her eating habits. She’s always eating! She was taking four bottles in a 24 hour period and now she’s taking 7-9 bottles a day…even waking at night for one. She’s extremely restless at night, and we’re used to her sleeping all night long. I’m really worried and need some advice.
Jessica Penner says
Hi Angie!
I HIGHLY recommend that you seek out a Dietitian in your area that specializes in working with kids so that you can get personalized advice that will both meet your child’s nutritional needs and possibly address the symptoms you’ve been noticing. Babies are born getting 100% of their “food” in liquid form. As they start solids and start to learn how to manage chewing, swallowing, etc solid food they start to get some of their nutritional needs from complimentary needs but the main source of nutrition is still liquid (breastmilk or formula). Studies show that at 12 months, babies still get about 50% of their nutritional needs from breastmilk or formula. They are only halfway through the transition! Almond milk is extremely low in calories, protein, and fat. It will be very very difficult for an 11 month old baby to meet their nutritional needs on this alternative beverage. I am also concerned for you child and again, I strongly encourage you to seek out a Registered Dietitian in your area for guidance on the best beverage to feed your baby.
Heather James says
I got pregnant while my baby was only 5 1/2 months and my milk is finally starting to slow down and become very frustrating for her to nurse:( thankfully I have a couple boxes of frozen breastmilk saved up. She is almost 10 months old and I foresee us running out of breastmilk around 11 months old. Could I just give her sufficient solid foods and add in some cows milk at that time? Or do I need to supplement a formula for one month? Thank you! Heather
Jessica Penner says
It all depends on how many iron containing foods she’s eating!
Jess says
Thank you for the great info. I am a fellow RDN and mom of a (DOB 12-8-17)1 year old. We are transiting him to whole milk. While introducing foods to him came really easy…switching to milk has been quite confusing. I breastfed most of his life but we did fade into formula toward the end of his first year. We have such a great routine/schedule at this time giving him 3 balanced meals, with his sip cup filled with water and then bottle with milk/formula between per his daily needs. He usually takes 25-30oz from bottle and 5oz of water from cup.
My plan at this time is to simply start switch offering him milk with meals and water cup between. I guess I will have to just let him guide us with his daily intake and his food intake will increase as he gets used to drinking less formula filled bottles. I am sure there will be days he eats less solid foods and I worry. Any tips about this transition are greatly appreciated.
Wells wishes,
Jessica L Cahill RDN, LD, CSCS
Success By Lifestyle LCC (web page coming soon)
Jessica Penner says
Hey Jess! At one year most babies will need to eat solids about 5-6x/day. They have small stomachs and big appetites! Limit the dairy milk to 2-3 cups/day and babies will make up the rest of their calorie needs with food.