[Healthy children] Milk Intake

[𝗛𝗜𝗠𝗕𝗔] – 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻: 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲

Evidence shows us that older children who have large amounts of milk are more likely to have poor dietary habits as they have less appetite for food
Health recommendations are:

All children to be exclusively breastfed until 6 months and continue breastfeeding alongside food until 2 years.

From 6 months, cows milk in food can be introduced- such as yoghurts and pieces of cheese.

From 1 year, all children should be enjoying about 400-600ml of whole pasteurized milk.

From 2 years, children can now enjoy semi skimmed milk approx 300mls until four years old

From 1-4 children also get calcium from other sources such as green leafy vegetables, beans, chickpeas, lentils, almonds, Figs, Seeds, Yogurt, Sardines, Cheese and Egg. 2-3 portions of calcium per day is recommended (small pot of yoghurt is one portion).

If your child is drinking less milk after one year it is ok. Try and encourage other calcium rich foods and put milk into foods like cheesy sauces/milky mash potato etc. Sometimes children do go off milk when they are having more foods- after one years it is important to keep calcium in the diet but this can be found in other sources other than milk if the total quantity of 400-600mls is not being met.

• Please note children under 1 should not have oat, almond, rice milks etc. All alternative milks do not have the correct nutritional requirements for children under 1. If giving alternative milk over 1 consider the energy differences and nutritional differences in these milks in opposed to dairy. Also make sure to buy fortified versions and unsweetened.
• Rice milks are not suitable for under 5's due to concerns over levels of arsenic.

Sources- First Steps Nutrition/ CDC/ WHO

Author: Abigail Laurie Registered Midwife and Registered Specialist Public Health Nurse, United Kingdom.