I’ve recently done quite a bit of research on which milk is best for toddlers, as many moms seem concerned about whether their little ones should drink cow’s milk, low-fat milk, or toddler formula past their first birthday.
The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the baby’s first 6 months and that breastfeeding continue until at least 2 years of age. So I guess if you’re breastfeeding your toddler then the formula vs cow’s milk issue isn’t relevant to you, that’s one less thing to worry about, YAY!
Australian manufacturers and importers of infant formula have signed a voluntary agreement that adheres to the principles of the World Health Organization’s International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Basically, the code and agreement prevent formula for babies 12 months and younger from being advertised in Australia. The reason for this agreement and its advertising restrictions is to protect breastfeeding.
However, these restrictions do not apply to infant and follow-on formulas. So by labeling infant formulas “gold” or “formula,” marketing companies can advertise infant formula simply by association. This may be one of the reasons for so much advertising of infant formulas.
Bellinda Kontominas, medical reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald (09/06/07) quotes a Sydney paediatrician, Dr. Patricia McVeagh, as saying, “Unfortunately, advertising takes advantage of parental vulnerability… Nutritionally, there is no need for toddler milk in healthy children, and it is much better to have 600 milliliters of cow’s milk or a cow’s milk product such as cheese or yogurt.”
While many nutritionists will tell you that formula is the equivalent of junk food, I think that, to be fair, it does have its place. It can supplement the diet of picky eaters and children who may be losing iron and calcium due to their restricted diets. And while there are other ways to combat irritability, there are times when real life takes over and the demands of work, other children, partners, etc. they can make infant formulas convenient.
During my research, I was surprised to find that the National Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents recommend that all children in Australia over the age of 2 consume skim milk. This is because the saturated fat in whole milk builds up in the arteries over time, increasing the risk of heart disease, and reduced-fat milk varieties generally contain more calcium than whole milks.
On the other hand, young children between the ages of 12 and 24 months need whole milk, and while soy milk should not be offered to infants younger than 12 months, children older than 2 years with lactose intolerance should be given it. may offer soy milk that contains added calcium.
So at the end of the day, keeping things simple is usually the best way to go. Cow’s milk is excellent for young children, it contains everything they need to grow healthy and strong. It’s cheaper than formula, readily available on the go, is great on cereal, and is something you won’t have to stop taking when your child gets older. So why complicate things by using toddler formula if you don’t have to?
