Almond milk for a toddler?

PetulantOne
PetulantOne Posts: 2,131 Member
in Food and Nutrition
My 4 year old tried some and he really likes it. Now he's asking for it instead of the whole milk I keep in the house for him. Is it bad for him not to drink the whole milk? I wouldn't think so, but every time I go to the peditrition they always ask if hes been getting enough milk.
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Replies

  • fit30s
    fit30s Posts: 20 Member
    My understanding is, at 4 years old, as long as they're getting the recommended servings of milk, be it whole, 2%, 1%, skim, or equivalent (soy/almond), that's fine. Younger, and I would say stick to the whole, and avoid the nuts.
  • PetulantOne
    PetulantOne Posts: 2,131 Member
    That's what I figured. It always seemed weird to me that they don't ask you how much dairy your child is getting, but how much milk. Obviously when they are really young it wouldn't be a good idea, because of the potential nut allergy, but I would think it would be ok now.
  • IveLanded
    IveLanded Posts: 797 Member
    With milk you're looking for protein and vitamins. If they get those else where, then I think milk doesn't matter that much.
  • jenluvsushi
    jenluvsushi Posts: 933 Member
    I know for my daughter, our doctor was fine with soy but said no to almond. Something to do with the amount of fat and brain development. To be safe, please ask your doctor.
  • jboccio90
    jboccio90 Posts: 644 Member
    I wouldnt be too worried to be honest.
  • Monnietron
    Monnietron Posts: 96 Member
    I give it to my daughter as a "treat" instead of chocolate milk.
  • mbajrami
    mbajrami Posts: 636 Member
    I always heard that whole milk for was for babies/toddlers and as soon as a child gets to be like, 2 years old, to use lower fat milk, that the amount of fat in whole milk wasn't really good for them.
  • shinkalork
    shinkalork Posts: 815 Member
    well i'm not so sure... On the back they say NOT to give it to toddlers and kids..so I don't know.
    I just checked
  • PetulantOne
    PetulantOne Posts: 2,131 Member
    He goes for a physical on Monday, so I will ask then for sure. He also drinks regular milk at daycare, so I don't think it will be to big a problem. I'm glad he likes it, but I also don't want to hinder his development. I'll post another topic with what the dr says Monday.
  • PetulantOne
    PetulantOne Posts: 2,131 Member
    well i'm not so sure... On the back they say NOT to give it to toddlers and kids..so I don't know.
    I just checked

    I use Silk. It only says not to use in infant fomula.
  • BrentJulius
    BrentJulius Posts: 89 Member
    Almond milk is low in protein, fat and everything else so I wouldn't say it could replace the benefits of cows milk but still good for you as it has vitamins and minerals. I wouldn't give my kids soy milk though due to the isoflavones and phytoestrogens...
  • sgv0918
    sgv0918 Posts: 851 Member
    I always heard that whole milk for was for babies/toddlers and as soon as a child gets to be like, 2 years old, to use lower fat milk, that the amount of fat in whole milk wasn't really good for them.

    true
  • PetulantOne
    PetulantOne Posts: 2,131 Member
    I always heard that whole milk for was for babies/toddlers and as soon as a child gets to be like, 2 years old, to use lower fat milk, that the amount of fat in whole milk wasn't really good for them.

    true

    Yeah I was told this too. That's why I didn't think it would be a huge deal. Just wanted to see if there was something I wasn't thinking of. Thanks for all the input everyone. :smile:
  • victoria4321
    victoria4321 Posts: 1,719 Member
    What I've read is with any nut milks they're pretty concentrated in phytates which are supposed to reduce the absorption of minerals. Your kids don't have to drink any specific kind of milk aside from breastmilk if you choose to give that still.

    In short, almond milk is probably fine as an occasional treat.
  • jazee11
    jazee11 Posts: 321
    With milk you're looking for protein and vitamins. If they get those else where, then I think milk doesn't matter that much.


    Agree
  • GCLyds
    GCLyds Posts: 206 Member
    Yogurt and cheese count as dairy servings too. So if you are worried about the fat ( Fat and cholesterol is good for little kids, its what brains are made out of) and the protein, offer some yogurt and cheese, instead of relying on milk. My 4 YO loves silk coconut milk, but I make sure she gets full fat yogurt, and a little bit of cheese.
  • jeme3
    jeme3 Posts: 355 Member
    Calcium is a concern as well. Make sure he's getting enough.

    Definitely as your pediatrician.
  • monty619
    monty619 Posts: 1,308 Member
    My 4 year old tried some and he really likes it. Now he's asking for it instead of the whole milk I keep in the house for him. Is it bad for him not to drink the whole milk? I wouldn't think so, but every time I go to the peditrition they always ask if hes been getting enough milk.

    your doctor is concerned about the protein in milk because for a growing 4 year old they need the protein and milk is pretty much their main source its like natures protein shake... almond milk is low in protein and fats so not as good for someone growing but has its benefits... why not give him both?
  • jwhitt0097
    jwhitt0097 Posts: 1
    I have a 2 year old who is extremely allergic to all dairy. She was on soy milk until recently when we switched her to almond milk. Her pediatrician recommended soy until she was 2 due to the fact that is is a little higher in fat/calories but said that she should be fine on almond now. We have always just ensured that she is getting healthy fats/protein other places in her diet to make up for the lack of fat from not drinking whole milk/eating dairy.
  • PetulantOne
    PetulantOne Posts: 2,131 Member
    Yogurt and cheese count as dairy servings too. So if you are worried about the fat ( Fat and cholesterol is good for little kids, its what brains are made out of) and the protein, offer some yogurt and cheese, instead of relying on milk. My 4 YO loves silk coconut milk, but I make sure she gets full fat yogurt, and a little bit of cheese.

    He loves yogurt, he eats a ton of it. I freeze the gogurts, he prefers that to ice cream. I'm pretty lucky. he's a very well rounded eater.
  • WaxMama
    WaxMama Posts: 369 Member
    Calcium is a concern as well. Make sure he's getting enough.

    Definitely as your pediatrician.

    Almond milk has the same amount or more of calcium than cow's milk. It also has more iron, less sugar/fat/calories. It does not contain as much protein, but studies have shown that calcium is not absorbed into the body when taken with a protein source anyway, and we all know there are plenty of other good sources of protein.

    That being said, my 16 month old loves almond milk. When he turned a year old, cow's milk really stopped him up and almond milk has fiber (and no dairy) so it works better with his digestive system.
  • lyttlewon
    lyttlewon Posts: 1,118 Member
    Edited: I just realized what you are asking. The nutrients in almond milk are not comparable to what is in dairy. If you are doing a replacement of one for one, it would not work. As far as using it as a food it contains Goitrogens which can interfere with iodine uptake. I would limit the amount I gave.
  • PetulantOne
    PetulantOne Posts: 2,131 Member
    My 4 year old tried some and he really likes it. Now he's asking for it instead of the whole milk I keep in the house for him. Is it bad for him not to drink the whole milk? I wouldn't think so, but every time I go to the peditrition they always ask if hes been getting enough milk.

    your doctor is concerned about the protein in milk because for a growing 4 year old they need the protein and milk is pretty much their main source its like natures protein shake... almond milk is low in protein and carbohydrates so not as good for someone growing but has its benefits... why not give him both?

    He drinks regular milk in daycare, and lots of other dairy products regularly. I guess I was just concerned the almond milk was bad for him in general. Like when he was an infant and I found out you can not give children honey until at least after there first B-day. It was something I never would have thought about if someone hadn't told me.
  • PetulantOne
    PetulantOne Posts: 2,131 Member
    I have a 2 year old who is extremely allergic to all dairy. She was on soy milk until recently when we switched her to almond milk. Her pediatrician recommended soy until she was 2 due to the fact that is is a little higher in fat/calories but said that she should be fine on almond now. We have always just ensured that she is getting healthy fats/protein other places in her diet to make up for the lack of fat from not drinking whole milk/eating dairy.

    This makes me feel much better. Thank you :)
  • WaxMama
    WaxMama Posts: 369 Member
    My 4 year old tried some and he really likes it. Now he's asking for it instead of the whole milk I keep in the house for him. Is it bad for him not to drink the whole milk? I wouldn't think so, but every time I go to the peditrition they always ask if hes been getting enough milk.

    your doctor is concerned about the protein in milk because for a growing 4 year old they need the protein and milk is pretty much their main source its like natures protein shake... almond milk is low in protein and fats so not as good for someone growing but has its benefits... why not give him both?

    There are plenty of other great sources of protein. I mean, think about it... we're the only animals that drink another animal's milk... and we're the only animals that drink milk past childhood. Nature's intentions? I'm not so sure!
  • victoria4321
    victoria4321 Posts: 1,719 Member
    My 4 year old tried some and he really likes it. Now he's asking for it instead of the whole milk I keep in the house for him. Is it bad for him not to drink the whole milk? I wouldn't think so, but every time I go to the peditrition they always ask if hes been getting enough milk.

    your doctor is concerned about the protein in milk because for a growing 4 year old they need the protein and milk is pretty much their main source its like natures protein shake... almond milk is low in protein and fats so not as good for someone growing but has its benefits... why not give him both?

    There are plenty of other great sources of protein. I mean, think about it... we're the only animals that drink another animal's milk... and we're the only animals that drink milk past childhood. Nature's intentions? I'm not so sure!
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/21/dog-nurses-kittens_n_1818215.html
  • zebisis
    zebisis Posts: 157
    I always heard that whole milk for was for babies/toddlers and as soon as a child gets to be like, 2 years old, to use lower fat milk, that the amount of fat in whole milk wasn't really good for them.

    This. ^^^
  • WaxMama
    WaxMama Posts: 369 Member
    My 4 year old tried some and he really likes it. Now he's asking for it instead of the whole milk I keep in the house for him. Is it bad for him not to drink the whole milk? I wouldn't think so, but every time I go to the peditrition they always ask if hes been getting enough milk.

    your doctor is concerned about the protein in milk because for a growing 4 year old they need the protein and milk is pretty much their main source its like natures protein shake... almond milk is low in protein and fats so not as good for someone growing but has its benefits... why not give him both?

    There are plenty of other great sources of protein. I mean, think about it... we're the only animals that drink another animal's milk... and we're the only animals that drink milk past childhood. Nature's intentions? I'm not so sure!
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/21/dog-nurses-kittens_n_1818215.html

    You're absolutely right, I should have added with few exceptions. However, the purpose of a mother's milk is to make a baby fat in the first few months or so of life...
  • Reinventing_Me
    Reinventing_Me Posts: 1,053 Member
    Calcium is a concern as well. Make sure he's getting enough.

    Definitely as your pediatrician.

    THIS.
  • victoria4321
    victoria4321 Posts: 1,719 Member
    My 4 year old tried some and he really likes it. Now he's asking for it instead of the whole milk I keep in the house for him. Is it bad for him not to drink the whole milk? I wouldn't think so, but every time I go to the peditrition they always ask if hes been getting enough milk.

    your doctor is concerned about the protein in milk because for a growing 4 year old they need the protein and milk is pretty much their main source its like natures protein shake... almond milk is low in protein and fats so not as good for someone growing but has its benefits... why not give him both?

    There are plenty of other great sources of protein. I mean, think about it... we're the only animals that drink another animal's milk... and we're the only animals that drink milk past childhood. Nature's intentions? I'm not so sure!
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/21/dog-nurses-kittens_n_1818215.html

    You're absolutely right, I should have added with few exceptions. However, the purpose of a mother's milk is to make a baby fat in the first few months or so of life...

    More so to pass on some natural immunity and to make up for the fact that babies can't chew. Its also recommended that you breastfeed until the child naturally weens their self but no one follows this. If the only goal was to make them fat it would be easy to do this with many other foods.

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