5 FAQs About Milk for Children

As a child grows older, the need for nutrition increases. However, it’s important to remember not to overserve a child, since the portions they can comfortably consume may be almost half of an adult portion. Moreover, studies have shown that young children naturally know how much to eat, says a report published by Virginia State University. Therefore, it is important to pack in as much nutrition in a small portion. Milk is among those foods that can provide ample nutrition even in smaller servings. Here are five important frequently-asked-questions regarding milk for toddlers.

Q1: Is Milk Important for My Child?

The simple answer is yes. Milk is high in calcium, which is very important for your toddler’s growing bones and teeth. Calcium is more easily taken into the body from milk than from vegetables. Milk is also the primary source of protein, vitamins (especially Vitamin A present in milk fat and B).

Q2: How Much Milk Should I Give My Child?

Even though your child has begun to eat more solid foods, milk is essential. However, more than 500ml of milk per day can make toddlers feel too full to eat well at meal times. In order to ensure that your toddler has enough nutrition with a limited quantity of milk, you could try a fortified nutrition powder like Enfagrow A+ which can be mixed with water since it already has milk solids and is also enriched with DHA and other nutrients essential for children between 2 to 6 years.

Q3: What Type of Milk is Best for My Child?

Once your toddler is more than 2 years old, it is not recommended to give full cream milk, which has 4% fat. This is because full cream milk would make toddlers feel too full. So, it would be better to shift to reduced-fat milk, which only has 1-2% fat. However, ensure that the milk you give your child has been pasteurized and homogenized, which kills germs.

Q4: How Important is Calcium for My Child?

Calcium is very important for growing children, since it is essential for healthy bones and teeth. Since your child’s body is growing rapidly, it is essential to ensure there is sufficient calcium in the diet. Children between the ages of 1 to 3 years need about 500mgs of calcium per day, while children between the ages of 4 to 8 years need about 700mgs per day. You could offer your toddler milk and milk products (like yoghurt, cheese, etc.) or opt for a fortified milk powder.

Q5: My Child is an Older Toddler, is Milk Enough for Nutrition?

While milk is essential, it is certainly not enough. Your child needs proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. However, maintaining a balanced diet may be difficult because your toddler has a limited appetite. So, it is a good idea to include a fortified milk powder that is rich in nutrients and is a good source of DHA, which is an omega-3 fatty acid that is an important constituent of the brain and the retina, according to a report by the US National Institute of Health.

References:

http://www.milk.co.uk/page.aspx?intPageID=134

 As per ICMR, Indian RDA for both these age groups is 600 mg per day

http://conditions.health.qld.gov.au/HealthCondition/media/pdf/8/78/233/calcium-for-children-v1