Is Toddler Milk Good?
Toddler milk is one of the most confusing and heavily marketed products in the baby and toddler nutrition space. As a researcher, mother, and nutrition expert, I see firsthand how overwhelming it can be for parents trying to make the best choices for their child’s health. Many families I work with are unsure whether their toddler needs toddler milk, and with clever marketing everywhere, it’s easy to see why.
So, what exactly is toddler milk? Also known as “toddler formula” , "Stage 3", or “growing-up milk,” these are powdered or liquid milk-based products designed for children aged 1 to 3 years of age. They are often fortified with additional vitamins and minerals, including iron, DHA, and prebiotics, and are marketed as a necessary bridge between infant formula and cow’s milk.
But here’s the truth—toddler milk is not a required part of a child’s diet. If your toddler is eating a balanced diet that includes a variety of whole foods, they will naturally get the nutrients they need from real food sources. Unlike infant formula, which serves a critical nutritional purpose in the first year of life when breastmilk or formula is the primary food source, toddler milk is more of a commercial product than a nutritional necessity.
Is Toddler Milk Healthy?
This is where things get tricky. While toddler milk is often advertised as providing “extra nutrition,” many of these products contain added sugars, artificial flavors, and fillers that are not ideal for a developing child. The high sugar content, in particular, is concerning—it can contribute to a preference for sweetened drinks and foods, making it harder to establish healthy eating habits.
The idea that toddlers need a specialised milk product is largely driven by industry marketing rather than nutritional science. There is significant research to show there is a "loop hole" in the industry which is where toddler milk comes in - infant formula is protected from the WHO code and cannot be aggressively marketed. Therefore formula companies use toddler milk aka "Stage 3" to inadvertently promote their formula aka Stage 1 and Stage 2.
A well-balanced diet that includes whole foods—proteins, healthy fats, grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy (if tolerated)—provides all the essential nutrients without the unnecessary additives found in toddler milk. If a child requires additional nutrients due to medical conditions or dietary restrictions, there are better, whole-food-based approaches to meeting those needs.
What Should My Toddler Drink Instead?
For most toddlers, water and plain, full-fat cow’s milk (if tolerated) are the best beverages to support hydration and nutrition. Cow’s milk naturally provides calcium and healthy fats that support brain development, without the added sugars and synthetic ingredients in toddler formulas. If your child does not tolerate cow’s milk, there are alternative options such as fortified plant-based milks, but it’s important to choose ones without added sugars and with appropriate nutrient fortification.
In The Nourished Toddler, I guide parents through making these choices with confidence, explaining how to transition from breastmilk or formula to a nutrient-rich toddler diet based on whole foods. My goal is to cut through the noise of the formula industry and help parents nourish their children with real, wholesome food—not unnecessary, highly processed products.
Final Thoughts
The best thing we can do for our toddlers is to provide a variety of nutrient-dense, whole foods and avoid falling into the trap of unnecessary marketing-driven products. If you’ve been unsure about toddler milk, I hope this gives you clarity. Trust yourself, trust whole foods, and know that a well-balanced diet is the best foundation for your child’s growth and development.
For more detailed guidance, meal plans, and practical strategies, The Nourished Toddler is your go-to resource for navigating toddler nutrition with confidence.
In addition I also have a very comprehensive podcast on this topic - Episode 51!
xx Dr Julie