Best Milk for Toddlers

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As baby nears 12 months, many parents find themselves on the hunt for the best milk for toddlers. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends up to 16-24 ounces of cow’s milk for toddlers (1). But, we know there are lots of different kinds of milks on the market. So, which is the best milk for toddlers? We break down all you need to know about milk below!

Do Toddlers Need to Drink Milk?

Actually, no, cow’s milk is not necessary for all toddlers.

Cow’s milk is a nutrient-dense drink, but it’s not the only food with its nutrient-profile. This means that there are other foods and drinks that can provide similar nutrition to cow’s milk. If those foods are consumed regularly, there may not be a need to drink cow’s milk at all. 

The truth is, your little one may not reach the recommended amounts of milk consumption set by the AAP, and that may be perfectly okay. Consuming 16-24 ounces of cow’s milk per day is actually a large volume of milk and is not attainable for many toddlers. Plus, if your little one presents with a dairy allergy or doesn’t seem to like milk, cow’s milk may not be the best option for them. 

So, let’s break down the best milk to offer your toddler:

Best Cow’s Milk for Toddlers

Whole milk is the most nutrient-dense cow’s milk option for toddlers, making it the best cow’s milk for toddlers. It is full-fat milk with 3.25% milk fat. It is also the least modified type of milk. None of the fat has been removed.One cup contains 8g of fat and 150 calories. Most whole milk is fortified with just vitamin D because the vitamin A remains intact in the milk fat. This milk is the creamiest and sweetest.

Reduced-fat milk, or 2% milk, is not the best cow’s milk option for toddlers because it is not full fat, and it has been modified. The 2% refers to the percentage of milk fat by weight, so the fat in 2% milk makes up 2% of the total volume. The cream (fat) has been skimmed from the milk, and then fat is added back in until it reaches 2% of the total volume. One cup of this milk contains 5g fat and 120 calories. This milk is also fortified with vitamins A and D.

Low-fat milk, or 1% milk, is also not the best cow’s milk option for toddlers for the same reasons as reduced-fat milk. The 1% refers to the percentage of milk fat by weight, so the fat in 1% milk makes up 1% of the total volume. The cream (fat) has been skimmed from the milk, and then fat is added back in until it reaches 1% of the total volume. One cup of this milk contains 2.5g fat and 100 calories. This milk is also fortified with vitamins A and D.

Fat-free milk is also not the best cow’s milk option for toddlers for the same reasons noted in reduced-fat and low-fat milk. All the cream (fat) has been skimmed from whole milk, leaving a lower calorie (80 calories/cup) and more watery-like milk. The naturally occurring fat-soluble vitamins A and D are lost when the fat is removed, so these nutrients are added back in.

The “official” recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics is that toddlers should drink whole milk until age 2, then they should switch to low-fat milk (1).

We don’t necessarily agree with this recommendation because if children continue to drink milk, then it is beneficial for them to continue to drink whole milk. The butterfat in whole milk is rich in nutrients, like vitamins A and D, cholesterol. This is important for growing brains. The fat is also needed to absorb and utilize all the beneficial nutrients. So skim milk with less fat isn’t a “better” choice.

Organic Versus Non-Organic Cow’s Milk

It’s important to note that whether the whole milk you choose is organic, grass-fed, or conventional, rest assured that it is a nutritious food. The milk you choose is going to provide your little one with protein, fat, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, potassium, and other important nutrients. There are no “bad” choices. The nutrient profiles between organic and conventional milk are actually almost identical, but 100% grass-fed organic milk does have its benefits. The fatty acid profile of 100% grass-fed organic milk is superior, as it is higher in omega-3 fatty acids and lower in omega-6 fatty acids (2). There are also the benefits of no pesticide, antibiotic, or hormone residues present in organic milk. 

The differences between non-organic, organic, grass-fed, and pasture-raised milk come from the farming practices which impact how the cows were raised and fed. All the milk made in the US must follow federal guidelines for quality, purity, and sanitation (3).

Overall, the best milk for toddlers from a nutrient-profile perspective is whole cow’s milk. You can purchase an organic, grassfed cow’s milk if you’d like the other benefits listed, too.

Best Plant Based Milk for Toddlers

Plant-based milks are great options for those who have a diary allergy or sensitivity. But, many of those milks are not nutrient-dense, or they contain unnecessary ingredients or fillers. 

Our top recommendation for plant-based milk is Kiki Milk. This plant-based milk is a blend of pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, and coconuts. Two flavors are oat-based and their unsweetened flavor is rice-based. They have sweetened and unsweetened flavors, and the unsweetened flavor’s ingredient list contains no added seed oils, sugars, or thickeners. It is also USDA Organic, Glyphosate-Residue Free Certified, and tested for heavy metals. Per serving, it has 5g protein and is an excellent source of calcium. This makes it an optimal plant-based milk option for toddlers.

For children who are allergic to coconuts, our runner-up recommendation for best plant based milk is Ripple Milk. This milk is fortified with nutrients such as vitamins A, D, B12, calcium, and potassium, so the nutrient profile is comparable to cow’s milk. Unfortunately, this particular brand does add some undesirable ingredients to improve the flavor and palatability, such as sunflower/safflower oil, natural flavor, gum arabic, guar gum, and gellan gum. Those ingredients are not necessary from a nutrient perspective, which is why this brand did not take the top spot. 

Almond milk did not make our list for best plant based milk for toddlers. It is low in protein and fat, and many brands contain added sugars and thickeners. Non-fortified versions are low in essential nutrients, like calcium and vitamins A, E, and D. The brands with better ingredients (organic, no emulsifiers, sweeteners, or flavorings) are usually not fortified so they are low in nutrients.

Soy milk also did not make our list for best plant based milk for toddlers. Soy milk is a good source of protein and many brands have fortified options with vitamins and minerals. But, soy milks typically contain added sugars, thickeners, & natural flavors. GMO soy can contain pesticide and herbicide residues (4). Antinutrients in soy make the protein and minerals difficult to utilize. Phytoestrogens are also potentially concerning for children (5).

Best Milk Alternatives for Toddlers

There are milk products that provide similar nutrition to milk itself. If these make up a portion of your child’s diet, they can count towards “milk” consumption (1).

• Yogurt
• Kefir
• Cheese
• Cottage Cheese
• Ricotta Cheese

Eating a few servings of dairy products per day can provide similar nutrients to cow’s milk. 

Pro Tip: Putting yogurt or kefir in a fruit and vegetable smoothie is a great and fun way to get nutrient-dense foods into your little one! Check out our Free Smoothie Recipe Guide for 15 nutrient-dense smoothies, complete with allergy swaps! 

Milk Alternatives for Toddlers with Dairy Allergy

If your little one has a dairy allergy or sensitivity, there are non-dairy foods that have similar nutrient profiles to cow’s milk. The main nutrients lost when toddlers cannot have (or do not eat) dairy foods are protein, calcium, riboflavin, phosphorus, and vitamins A, D, and B12 (6). These nutrients can be found in other foods, but the ones that will be hardest to obtain from non-dairy foods are calcium, vitamin D and vitamin A. 

We recommend offering a nutrient-dense plant based milk like Kiki Milk during meals, as well as offering the following whole foods:

Overall Best Milk for Toddlers

If your little one does not have a dairy allergy or you want to offer cow’s milk, we recommend a whole cow’s milk as the best milk for toddlers. 

If your little one has a milk allergy or you wish to introduce a high-quality plant based milk, Kiki Milk is our dietitian’s top pick because of its ingredient list and nutrient profile.

Ready to try Kiki Milk? You can use code EATPLAYSAY to save 30% off your first subscription order! 

Looking for the best cup for milk for your toddler? Our Best Cups & Straw Cups for Babies and Toddlers has all of our top recommendations. 

Sources:

1. American Academy of Pediatrics (2024). Healthy Beverages Quick Download. https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/HealthyBeverageQuickReferenceGuideDownload.pdf 
2. Heins B. (2021). University of Minnesota Extension. Grassfed Cows Produce Healthier Milk. https://extension.umn.edu/pasture-based-dairy/grass-fed-cows-produce-healthier-milk
3. American Dairy Association (2025). Conventional Milk vs Organic Milk vs Grassfed Milk. https://www.americandairy.com/dairy-diary/conventional-milk-vs-organic-milk-vs-grass-fed-milk-is-there-a-difference/
4. Center for Food Safety. (2025) About Genetically Engineered Foods. https://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/issues/311/ge-foods/about-ge-foods
5. Savage & Morrison. (2023) 2003, Encyclopedia of Food Sciences and Nutrition (Second Edition )https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/trypsin-inhibitor
6. Allergy & Asthma Foundation of America. (2021) Kids Living with Food Allergies. https://kidswithfoodallergies.org/living-with-food-allergies/top-food-allergens/milk-allergy/