New clinical guidance released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) cautions parents that formulas marketed as healthy and nutritious for toddlers are unnecessary and provide little to no health benefits.
These “toddler milks” and other beverages are offered as transition drinks designed to wean children between 12-36 months off breast milk or baby formula.
Toddler milk does contain enhanced Vitamin E and D levels compared to unfortified cow’s milk, but virtually all milk sold in the U.S. is fortified. Therefore, the AAP says toddlers who can consume solid foods have no nutritional need for these beverages.
The drinks can be a helpful alternative for some children who cannot consume milk or have specialized medical needs, said Steven A. Abrams, co-author of the report and a past member of the AAP’s Committee on Nutrition. But they should only be consumed under a pediatrician’s guidance and supplemented with nutritionally complete drinks.
A previous 2019 report also noted that for healthy toddlers, these products offer no nutritional value above that found in solid food and often contain high sodium levels and added sugars.
In addition to giving toddlers a sweet tooth that can last a lifetime, researchers have found that formula with corn syrup solids increases the risk of early obesity and fatty liver disease. It is also much more expensive than cow’s milk. According to the USDA, toddler formula can cost more than $40 for a 30-ounce can compared to $4.33 for a...
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