Milk in The Second Year of Life: 4 Things You Should Know

According to WHO (world health organization), babies are expected to be breast-fed for 24 months, however, barely 5% of babies are breast-fed that long. Void of breast milk in their diets, toddlers still need sufficient nutrients and all classes of food to support their growth and development. Here are 5 things all parents should be aware off in a toddler’s second year of life:

 1:Toddlers Don’t Need Formula

According to the WHO standard, there is no benefit in continuing formula in the second year. Toddler formula, special milk drinks or other milk products targeting children aged 1 – 3 years, are all unnecessary and have flooded the market in recent years. There is however no recorded evidence that they are necessary or helpful in meeting the dietary requirements of a toddler.

2: Toddlers Don’t Need to Drink Milk

Many parents opt to replace breast milk with dairy products, in order to keep their children’s calcium level healthy. However, toddlers easily meet the requirement from food and don’t need to drink large quantities of milk. Children who are intolerant to dairy foods can meet their calcium requirements from foods such as, canned fish with soft bones like sardines and salmon, or firm tofu etc. The same applies to children who can tolerate dairy products.

3: Toddlers Don’t Need Bottles

Continuing the use of bottles once upper incisors and other teeth have formed, is associated with higher risk of dental decay, and they unconsciously begin to bite and chew the nipple of the bottle. Pediatric dentists suggest that children give up bottles as soon as possible – before or around the first birthday. Work towards weaning from both bottles and breast, as this reduces the risk of dependence on bedtime bottles of milk to sleep. Ideally, it would help to begin the transition around nine months. If you want to continue your child on milk, you can encourage them to drink from toddler based cups.

4: Toddlers Don’t Need to Stop Breastfeeding

 The value of breastfeeding in the second year and beyond is more than nutritional. Unlike alternatives, breast milk continues to support the child’s immune system; provide comfort and connection to an increasingly independent child; and offers a range of factors not available in non-human milks. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding into the third year and beyond – so if it’s working for your family, it’s good to know you can continue.