When do i switch to whole milk

Here are some tips for a smoother transition:. Children between the ages of 1 and 3 need mg of calcium and IUs of vitamin D per day. Once your baby turns 1-year-old, you can basically keep breastfeeding on a supplemental basis for as long as you like — but what about formula?

Can you keep giving it to your baby after their first birthday? Generally speaking, you should transition your baby off formula around 12 months of age. But there are exceptions : If your baby has special dietary needs, a milk allergy , or developmental delays, your pediatrician may ask that you continue giving them some formula.

But while toddlers need the nutrients found in milk, they can get them from other sources. Until now, their diet was completely or mostly focused on liquid sources of nutrition like breast milk or formula. Now, liquid nutrition is secondary to what your baby is consuming as part of their solid food diet. Per the AAP, your baby should have no more than about 16—24 ounces of whole milk per day.

This is different from the roughly 32 ounces of breast milk or formula they were consuming before their first birthday.

Your baby needs the nutrients in formula or breast milk until their first birthday. You're ready to stop mixing formula, but is your baby over it? Gwiszcz on getting started, and what to expect during the transition:. Transitioning to whole milk is also a good time to try transitioning off of bottles altogether. This can help reduce the risk of milk-bottle cavities. Milk is now mainly just a drink and source of calcium and vitamin D. About 8 to 10 ounces is a reasonable minimum of whole milk consumption especially if other dairy products are being consumed , and the most a toddler should drink is no more than 24 ounces of whole milk per day.

Make changes one at a time. If you haven't been warming up your baby's breastmilk or formula, there is no need to start doing so. But little by little you can increase the amount of whole milk and decrease the amount of the formula or breastmilk. Instead, plan on moving between breast and sippy cup as you make the transition. You can utilize step 3 by using pumped breastmilk to get your baby used to the whole milk.

But as the switch is being made to whole milk, your baby is simultaneously beginning to eat more and more solids that are actually making up the bulk of their calories at mealtime.

This pattern will continue until your little one has their second birthday. It gives the proper amount of nutrients, vitamins and fat that your baby needs for optimum development. Once your baby is 24 months old, Healthy Children shares that you can move to giving your baby lowfat or nonfat white milk. Add a note for the seller…. Place your order. List of Partners vendors. Once formula-fed babies turn 1, they should switch from drinking formula to whole cow's milk unless there are allergy concerns.

The American Academy of Pediatricians AAP recommends that children ages 12 to 24 months drink whole milk rather than reduced-fat milk, as toddlers need the extra fat in their diets to support optimal brain development. In specific cases, low-fat milk may be warranted if a child has a strong family history of heart disease. Each child will need to be assessed individually, as what they eat and drink as a whole, as well as what foods they enjoy and have access to, should be included in the decision.

However, in most cases, whole cow's milk is the recommended option. It may be tempting to switch your formula-fed baby to regular milk before age 1 for a few reasons, including cost savings and convenience.

But formula is designed to mimic the nutritional components of breast milk and is the ideal food after breast milk itself for babies. Formula contains just the right balance of fats, protein, and other nutrients to support proper growth. Cow's milk not only doesn't have the appropriate nutritional make-up for babies, but it contains certain proteins and a higher concentration of minerals that can be difficult for those under 12 months old to digest.

The composition of cow's milk is, however, well-suited to a toddler's digestion and dietary needs and should replace formula after their first birthday. This replacement does not have to happen all at once, but can be gradual. You may see toddler formulas on store shelves. These products are more expensive than milk, but they are not any more nutritious and for the majority of kids they are unnecessary. There are several ways to accomplish this transition, and your child will likely give you strong signals about what is working for them and not.

Some children respond positively if their caregivers simply change all of their cups or bottles to whole milk once they reach 12 months old. This method typically works for kids who quickly adapt to change. You may want to try this approach to see how your child responds. If it doesn't work, or if you think your child may respond better to a more gradual approach from the get-go, one of these strategies may help with the transition:.

It can help to serve the milk at the same temperature that your child is used to for formula.