Should I put my daughter on toddler milk...?

[mummysbigsmiles]

My daughter is 11months old and currently on aptimal 1. I quite liked the thought of having her on a toddler milk but I believe it's a highly debatable subject, I was just wondering what other mums thought??

[MoaningMingeWhingesAgain]

I think it's pointless and just a marketing exercise.

First milks are fine until 12m, then you can give cows milk (fullfat)

[MrsCakesPremonition]

By the time she gets to 1y she can have cows milk and will be getting the rest of her nutrition from solid food (unless she has allergies). Toddler milk is a concept developed by the formula milk companies to extract more money from parents IMO

[LoganMummy]

You can if you want to but you certainly don't need to. It's fine to continue giving her formula until she is one and then switch her to cows milk. You'll save a fortune once you stop formula!

[TobyLerone]

Why do you like the idea of her having toddler milk?

[Mabelface]

Toddler milk is a rip off.

[MrTumblesBavarianFanbase]

You can if you want to - does no harm except that it is very sweet, so probably hard to switch to plain cows milk later if you want to. It is fortified with this and that, notably iron, which I can see gives reassurance, but at the same time is unnecessary for most toddlers who eat a reasonable diet. It is also expensive of course, by comparison to cows milk.

You won't do her any harm beyond possibly giving her a sweet tooth and putting her off plain milk ... If you have the money to waste easily afford it then its not up to anybody to tell you not to, but it is almost certainly unnecessary :o

[mummysbigsmiles]

TobyLerone

I was led to believe that it contained minerals and vitamins that cows milk didn't have.... I'm beginning to sway my decision if its only used for marketing use.

[MoaningMingeWhingesAgain]

It won't contain vitamins and minerals you can't get from real food.

Some milks have added iron - in a form which is poorly absorbed and can cause constipation. A varied diet is the way to go.

[noblegiraffe]

It is recommended by the department of health that all babies from 6 months to 5 years are given a vitamin supplement. Formula contains the recommended amount, but only if you give 500mls a day.

I'd get the vitamins, they're cheaper and you don't want to be giving formula to a 5 year old!

[Mabelface]

A toddler will get the nutrition it needs from a varied diet.

[mummysbigsmiles]

I am very very strict on what she eats, she only eats natural foods , fruits, veg, natural yogurts, weetabix, adult porridge, wholegrain breads pastas, etc so I suppose she has a lot of iron in her diet and doesn't need any more. :-) my decision has been made not to give her toddler milk :-)) thank you guys

[noblegiraffe]

Vitamin D is an issue, even with a varied diet, given our climate. Hence the recommendation to supplement.

[Katnisscupcake]

Just a word of warning though... introduce the cow's milk veeeeerrrrrryyyyy slowly...

With DD we introduced it over 3 months and it was still too quick for her and she ended up briefly lactose intolerant and had to go back to square one. We were told to mix 2 oz of cow's milk into 6oz of formula each bottle and then slowly increase it.

Your DD may be fine, but just giving you the benefit of our experience...

[mummysbigsmiles]

@katnisscupcake

Thank you!! That's a very good tip. I would have just handed her a bottle of milk that's good to know!!

[DfanjoUnchained]

Is toddler milk the same as 'follow on milk'?

[ilovepowerhoop]

follow on milk is suitable from 6 months whereas toddler milk is marketed from the age of 1+ ( I think there are toddler milks going up to age 3!). I did swap one full feed at a time with no issues and didnt do the mixing thing.

zzzzz, if the main milk given is breast or formula milk then the odd drink of cows milk would be ok. Cows milk doesnt have enough iron or vitamins to be the main drink of a baby under the age of 1

[DfanjoUnchained]

What's the deal with follow on milk then? My ds is 8 months and still on number 1 since stopped bf at 7 months. Should he have follow on as it says part of a weaning diet? So confusing this formula

[ilovepowerhoop]

follow on was invented to get round the ban on advertising first milks - there is no need to use it if your lo is happy on their existing milk. I did switch to follow on but only because it was a bit cheaper. Your lo can stay on first milk up to 1 year if thats what you want.

[ilovepowerhoop]

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/types-of-infant-formula.aspx#close

[DfanjoUnchained]

Thanks for the info, think ill keep him on 1 as he's getting on fine with it

[mrsmartin1984]

Basically stage one of formula is the most similar to breast milk. They can't advertise it so the companies created follow on milks and toddler milks in order to do so and be able to advertise formula through the back door. There is nothing in other milks that a baby needs and has nutritional health benefits.

[gutzgutz]

I just switched to full fat cow's milk at just under 1 year. Formula ran out and was not paying another £10 when DS was practically one. He is a cow's milk fiend and I've read it can stop proper absorption of iron if too much is drunk. Don't let your child fill up on milk as opposed to eating a balanced diet! Follow on formula is a con IMHO..

[BeauNatt]

Which released a report about this earlier this week. Concluded toddler milk is too sweet, has less calcium and goodness than cows milk: conversation.which.co.uk/energy-home/toddler-milk-growing-up-formula-cows-milk-baby/