New! Mixed Berry KefirHow and when is the right time to wean your toddler from formula or breastmilk and transition to whole milk? What’s the best milk for this? Our friend Amy, at Yummy Toddler Food, is here to help with tips and a sample weaning schedule during this tricky transition.
The Best Milk for Weaning
Whole milk is best for toddlers as they need higher fat content in the food that they eat. Non-homogenized, minimally processed milk is also best for kids because it has natural nutrition, like calcium, protein, potassium, and vitamin B. Amy at Yummy Toddler Foods also has some great tips for those kiddos who prefer milk and don’t want to eat other foods.
While I don’t always have the ability to buy all organic food, I do prioritize it with dairy and I love that Kalona’s milk is also minimally processed. (There’s even a delicious layer of cream on top to prove it!)
Amy, Yummy Toddler Food
9 Weaning Tips from Yummy Toddler Food
1. Remember that weaning is a very personal decision that each family needs to make for themselves. There’s no one right way!
Amy, Yummy Toddler Food
2. Wait to wean to cow’s milk until a child has turned one.
3. Always choose whole milk for a toddler since they need higher fat content in the food that they eat.
4. If a child can’t tolerate cow’s milk, learn about the best alternatives.
5. Introduce milk in a sippy cup with meals.
6. Plan out a weaning schedule, or go with a more natural approach. (Both are okay!)
7. Gradually replace formula with whole milk to allow the child to adjust to the flavor and new proteins.
8. As you work on eliminating bottle feeding sessions close to wake ups or bedtime or nap, you can try to substitute other forms of comfort such as a lovie, a blankie, a new ritual (saying goodnight to all of the favorite toys or family members), etc.
9. Aim to eliminate the bottle by age two.