What non-dairy milk do you give to toddlers?
Posted by Saskia on Apr 02, 2009 · Member since Jan 2007 · 1976 posts
An omni friend asked me recently what type of non-dairy milk is safe to give her toddler.
Is there a brand or type of milk you recommend for toddlers?
Are there any helpful articles out there that speak to this?
I appreciate any advice you might have, as I am not a doctor or a mom.
All soy milk is "safe" for toddlers (unless they're allegic), but she may want to avoid vanilla soy milk because it's a bit sugary.
Our family uses Silk's Omega-3 fortified soymilk. We are all healthy, happy and safe.
Happened to be on the phone to a friend with a young daughter when I read this. I put the question to her and her response was, "Whatever you can get down the little monster's throat" >:D
I was raised on soymilk and from being a 2-lb preemie I grew to nearly 5 ft 8, with a very decent IQ and excellent test scores. Don't worry anymore. As AIS says, you might worry about the sugared kinds, but that's about calories etc, not soy itself.
My 2yo daughter has been on soy milk (Slik) since she's been off formula. I never had a problem introducing it to her. But recently, I've been finding information about soy and I personally dont feel comfortable giving it to her or drinking it myself anymore. (though we both love the taste). I wanted to switch gradually from soy to almond milk, and turns out she likes almond milk even better. Even the unsweetened kind.
But I agree with everyone, I'd stay away from the sugary vanilla versions of whatever she chooses.
We use primarily soy milk in our home, Soysense is our brand of choice, organic and very budget friendly as we go through 3+ gallons a week. Almond, oat and hemp milks are also options, our ped just recommended that we get a fortified one so they get the calcium and vitamins they need. Even my two autistic sons like the soy milk, although they prefer the chocolate one if I let them.
Sounds like they're buying into the "kids have to have milk" myth that the government, dairy industry, and education system has been very successful at. Why is a substitute even necessary? Most animals don't drink milk after they're weaned.
Sorry, I know that's not what your asking. But it's a question to ponder. :)
We have soy milk here but we rarely drink it straight, it's here for baking and cereal. Because Tweety is right.
One of my friends who is a parent told me that soy milk can constipate babies.
One of my friends who is a parent told me that soy milk can constipate babies.
My daughter went on soy because cow's milk was making her constipated really bad and switching to soy regulated her. I guess it depends on each person's body.
One of my friends who is a parent told me that soy milk can constipate babies.
My daughter went on soy because cow's milk was making her constipated really bad and switching to soy regulated her. I guess it depends on each person's body.
It does. I was on soy because baby formula and cow's milk gave me horrible stomach pain (as in writhing constantly) and constipation, as well as "unacceptable itching." Then when I got a little older the soy supply disappeared (this was in the 60's) so my parents put me on goat's milk which seemed to do OK.
The 2 1/2 y/o kiddo that I nanny is currently on a no dairy/gluten free diet, and his family rotates between soy/rice/almond milk simply to enhance/ensure his digestive system can handle all those things in the future. This practice also comes in handy to get the child used to the taste/consistency/switching, should you not be able to find one at the store (as in traveling) or another allergy/intolerance develop in the future. This is what was recommended by their naturopathic pediatrician.
Thank you for the great advice and recommendations. I shared your info with my friend, including the brands of non-dairy milk that you use. I will continue to check this thread for any additional suggestions. :)
I have a 6 month old that eats oatmeal once a day, but only about two teaspoons full worth, mixed with banana usually, and I am a lazy butt and hate to pump, so instead of using breastmilk to mix his oatmeal I use soymilk. He is exclusively breastfed otherwise, but that tiny bit of soymilk has been fine. I think soymilk is okay for a toddler if a infant can handle it.
I use almod breeze. the soy milk have strogen so I prefer the almond.
I agree with the other posts--making sure the milk is healthy is all that matters. Personally, I like to give my young daughter almond milk as it is very nutritious and also gives her a break from soy (she is a tofu/soy yogurt fiend!).
I also like what Tweety said about our mindset of having to give them milk. Aside from the benefits of breastfeeding, the only benefit of milk is that it is quick and nourishing if it's the right kind (almond, organic soy, etc.).
Personally, I love making my own with a soymilk machine as it is not processed, fresher, and also contains no sweeteners or junk. I can say that, having a kid who drinks a ton of vegan milk, owning a milk machine was one of the best investments I ever made! (it was $130)
:)
Quintess...this is totally off topic, but do you think it would be OK to give my 9 month old Floridix? I keep reading they need an iron supplement....and I know that one is veg. Or should I take it so he gets it in my milk?
I still want the milk maker you have....soyajoy plus, right?
Quintess...this is totally off topic, but do you think it would be OK to give my 9 month old Floridix? I keep reading they need an iron supplement....and I know that one is veg. Or should I take it so he gets it in my milk?
I still want the milk maker you have....soyajoy plus, right?
So, are you thinking you need it because of any particular reason or because you read it somewhere? Obviously your little one is getting the best nutrition if he/she is breastfeeding, so way to go!
Are you vegan? If so, and you eat a pretty healthy diet with greens and beans, I wouldn't worry about it. In my book, I actually talk about iron a bit and how I was iron-deficient before becoming vegan. It is eating too much dairy (which contains NO iron) that gives vegetarians the bad associations with iron deficiencies.
I hope I answered your question...my stance has always been that a healthy vegan diet needs no supplements, and that has been my experience when pregnant and also with my vegan daughter....
Yes, I love and adore my soymilk maker! Tis the soyapower and worth its weight in gold! ;)b
Quintess...this is totally off topic, but do you think it would be OK to give my 9 month old Floridix? I keep reading they need an iron supplement....and I know that one is veg. Or should I take it so he gets it in my milk?
I still want the milk maker you have....soyajoy plus, right?
So, are you thinking you need it because of any particular reason or because you read it somewhere? Obviously your little one is getting the best nutrition if he/she is breastfeeding, so way to go!
Are you vegan? If so, and you eat a pretty healthy diet with greens and beans, I wouldn't worry about it. In my book, I actually talk about iron a bit and how I was iron-deficient before becoming vegan. It is eating too much dairy (which contains NO iron) that gives vegetarians the bad associations with iron deficiencies.
I hope I answered your question...my stance has always been that a healthy vegan diet needs no supplements, and that has been my experience when pregnant and also with my vegan daughter....
Yes, I love and adore my soymilk maker! Tis the soyapower and worth its weight in gold! ;)b
I just keep reading that babies this age need a supplement...yes I'm vegan. Sometimes at 9 months the doc checks for iron. I guess I will see if she does. Maybe I will get him tested just in case. I'm really not worried about it. I usually take some just when I'm menstruating because I get light headed sometimes.
Thanks!
soyapower.....yep! ;)b
L2A, I'd wait and see when the doc tests for iron. My daughter was never low, and she--both of us, actually--had to get tested a lot because I was on WIC. My guess is, you're good.
As for the topic, we give our girl Silk, or almond milk. Just make sure they drink enough water throughout the day, the milk shouldn't matter too much.
L2A, I'd wait and see when the doc tests for iron. My daughter was never low, and she--both of us, actually--had to get tested a lot because I was on WIC. My guess is, you're good.
As for the topic, we give our girl Silk, or almond milk. Just make sure they drink enough water throughout the day, the milk shouldn't matter too much.
I agree...if you're worried, I would just get a test. That really validated me when I was pregnant & nursing--to KNOW that all our levels were great was always comforting.
It was actually my (ex)husband who got me off the vitamins/supplements thing. I was in the habit of thinking I should take them, but he was always like "you eat great! don't buy the hype!" So I eventually took on the same attitude.
I think there is a lot of fear pushed on the public by industries that want us to supplement our diets rather than just get all our nutrients from food!
Anyway, my 35 cents... ;)
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