Milk for my toddler?

[Big D]

I have read somewhere that toddlers need either breast milk or whole cow milk until they are 2 years old.  I had just planned on nursing until 2, but pregnancy is changing that.  I really can't bring myself to buy DS cow's milk (no one here drinks it and I doubt he will either).  Is soy or almond milk just as good?  I thought they needed the fats or something like that?  Does anyone know what I am talking about?  What do you all do for your toddlers?

[Nicoleandco]

This is just my opinion (and I guess my Naturopath), but I think if a kid is not getting human milk, then they don't need any others.  As long as the calories and nutrition are coming from somewhere else.  

So a cup of almond milk wouldn't be as good as a cup of raw almonds.  Now saying that, I have a super small kiddo, so we do a cup or two or unsweetened almond or coconut milk each day, but she is not skipping on calories elsewhere to get the milk.  Does that make sense?  :)  

If you decide to do milk, I really suggest getting an unsweetened variety.  There can be a ton of sugar in the others.  

[Baby_Cakes]

After I stopped pumping for DD (at 14 months) we decided on fortified soy milk for her one bottle one time a week at grandma's.  I was working at the time. We still nursed on demand, though, until she was just over 2.

Now that she's weaned, she still drinks soymilk.  How old is your DS?

[askew]

We use hemp milk when I am at work. DD is still breastfed, but I do not pump anymore. I like hemp milk as it has a higher concentration of fat, and that is what kids under two really need, a lot of good quality fat. 

[Big D]

DS is 21 months old.  So, milk isn't that important at this stage as long as he's getting calories and healthy fats in his diet?

[JudiAU]

Hemp, coconut, almond, and soy milk are nutritious milks. I don't think a toddler *needs* alternate milk at this age but may like it, especially if the pregnancy is causing him to self-wean earlier than he and you planned. My DS wouldn't touch milk until about six months after he was fully weaned. At 3.5 he requests a glass a (cow's) milk about 3 times a week and drink maybe 2 ounces at a time. He has been offered coconut and almond milk but doesn't like either.

Personally, I wouldn't choose soy. We eat some soy products in moderation and I am find with it. But it sneaks into so many foods that I wouldn't introduce another source for a young body. But mostly I don't like it.

THe kids both eat yogurt and cheese though and many other proteins. I am a big fan of "bath yogurt"

A lot of the milks have a lot of sweetener in them, just like human milk, but make sure you understand what kind, etc.

[BeanyMama]

Quality milks are great at this age, but yes, I think his diet is way more important. Cow's milk is hard on toddler's digestive systems and has been linked to so many problems in our society where it's pushed as necessary. Try coconut. hemp or a nut milk. They've been big hits with our littles

[4Marmalade]

My twins are 2-1/2 years old now.  They weaned about 2 months ago.  Right now they drink almond milk in a cup and coconut milk in smoothies.  I can't remember when we introduced them - probably around 18 months or so.

[EchoSoul]

I've read over 90% of the soy population is genetically modified - plus it's called, what, the "estrogen-plant"? So that call's up to you. I've also read that we weren't really designed to drink additional milk sources, but almonds are awesome as a detox, and an excellent source of non-dairy protein, :) 

[happyherbivore]

I'm not sure if anyone is still reading this but I'll throw my two cents in anyway.  :)

My 20 month old son is still BF, but since he turned a year old he has been getting one cup of Odwalla's Vanilla Al'Mondo every day.  It's got soy, almond, and oat milk, banana, and a few other things.  It's 86% organic.  I add a few tablespoons of coconut milk for added fat. (not the kind you drink, but the stuff in the can.  Full of super healthy fats.)  Mix in his daily vitamin, and it's a pretty perfect drink.  It is expensive though, I'm not gonna lie.  That's why he gets only one sippy cup full a day.  But it works for him and for us.