As a parent, nothing in this world is more important than making sure your toddler gets the best in every aspect of his/her life. While there are different parenting styles out there, the fact that toddlers need their calcium remains a constant. Still stressing about how to make the switch from breast milk to formula or cow’s milk? Keep reading for some tips we’ve gathered online.
Introduce dairy-based food products
Acquainting toddlers with dairy products before officially starting out on milk not only prepares them for what’s to come, but also ensures that they get the nutrients. For starters, experts recommend feeding them cheese or plain yogurt naturally sweetened with fruits.
According to Wholesome Baby Food, these products act as supplements and not as a replacement for milk entirely. Yogurt and cheese are great as they’re much easier to digest with milk proteins broken down during the production process. Studies also show that yogurt prevents allergy while promoting gut health in infants and toddlers.
Food rich in healthy fat is essential for kids under the age of two for proper development of the brain and body so if you intend to feed them yogurt, avoid low-fat ones.
Make smoothies
If the previous method was a 5 out of 10, this would be a solid 8. All you need to do is blend a mix of fruits and vegetables, together with your choice of milk and you’re all set. Baby FoodE has an incredibly long list of smoothies but here are two recipes for your consideration:
Avocado Green Smoothie
Image: Baby FoodE
Ingredients you’ll need:
- Banana
- Avocado
- Spinach
- Plain yogurt
- Milk
- Chia seeds (optional)
Preparation takes 5 minutes tops and all you have to do is blend everything together for 1 to 2 minutes. For ease of drinking, ensure that the finished smoothie is thin. This versatile smoothie contains all the nutrients your toddler needs and can be consumed any time.
My Toddler’s Favorite Pink Smoothie
Image: Baby FoodE
If your toddler is into anything pink, grab a pen and paper because we’re about to get busy.
You’ll need to get your hands on some:
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Banana
- Beets
- Hemp seeds
- Kefir
- Honey
Rich in many nutrients such as antioxidants, fiber, potassium, protein and probiotics, the pink smoothie packs a punch and can be prepared in a jiffy - what’s not to love?
Start small
Just as it takes time to get used to a new environment, incorporating milk into your toddler’s diet for the first time requires a certain duration too.
Instead of giving them a whole bottle of milk, start with smaller quantities, and gradually increase it. This gives ample time to get accustomed to the taste of store-bought milk which tastes completely different from breast milk which they’re used to.
DIY flavored milk
From banana to strawberry, and even brown sugar, companies are getting more creative with their flavored milk. Feeding your toddler flavored milk is a sure way of getting them to consume milk willingly, but unfortunately, they contain two to three teaspoons of sugar.
Instead of scrambling around to find the healthiest option in the market, why not make it yourself? Add unsweetened cocoa or Milo and Horlicks to make plain milk taste better.
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Before proceeding with these tips, we strongly recommend checking in with your doctor to ensure they are suitable for your toddler. Know a first-time parent? Share your new-found tips with them!
