Milk is an important part of a child’s daily healthy diet. This is because milk is a source of protein, fat, potassium, vitamin D and calcium. But, any food and drink, if consumed in excess is still not good. So, it’s important for mothers to know the daily milk requirements for children aged 2 years.
This is important for mothers to know, especially since many children at the age of 2 have entered the transition from breast milk or formula to regular milk. Come on Mums, know the daily milk needs for 2 year olds!
Also read: Little Ones Closer to Caregivers, What Should Parents Do?
How Much Milk Does a 2 Year Old Child Need Daily?
Between the ages of 24-36 months, children should have transitioned from breast milk and formula to low-fat or non-fat milk. Children can consume about 2-2.5 cups per day.
Milk is important, but consumption should still be limited, especially if your little one really likes to drink milk. Consumption needs to be limited so as not to interfere with a healthy diet. The reason is, some children aged 2 years, especially those who are picky eaters, prefer to drink milk rather than eat.
By limiting milk intake not excessively, your little one can follow a healthy diet pattern. Over time, he will have good eating habits.
Also read: Children are uncomfortable with clothing labels, that’s called sensory processing disorder
Effects of Drinking Too Much Milk on Children
Even though milk is needed to meet the nutritional needs of children, if it is consumed too much it is unhealthy. The effects of drinking too much milk in this child can be short term or long term. Here are the effects of drinking too much milk in children:
Constipation
One common health problem that occurs when a child drinks too much milk is constipation. Because milk is filling but low in fiber, children can become constipated if they eat too much of it and eat not enough high-fiber foods.
Milk Anemia
Children who drink too much milk are also at risk of developing anemia due to iron deficiency. This is because milk contains only a small amount of iron. It is possible for children to consume less iron-containing foods if they often drink milk excessively. If the anemia experienced by children is severe, then they need to take iron supplements.
Bad Eating Habits
One more thing to worry about if a child drinks too much milk is the intake of excessive calories that enter their body. These excessive calories usually cause children to feel full and do not want to eat nutritious foods. If a child often drinks excessive milk while consuming a lot of food, this excess of calories can cause weight gain.
If the child also often drinks fruit juice, the calorie intake can be more and more. A daily diet consisting only of milk and juice does not provide the combination of fat, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals needed to ensure that children’s development and growth goes well.
Also read: Know How to Overcome Trauma in Children, Don’t Let It Drag On
Source:
Very Well Family. How Much Milk Should a Toddler Drink?. December 2022.
US Department of Agriculture and US Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th Edition. December 2020.
Riley L, Rupert J, Boucher O. Nutrition in toddlers. Am Fam Physician. 2018 Aug 15;98(4):227-233.
Ziegler EE. Consumption of cow’s milk as a cause of iron deficiency in infants and toddlers. Nutr Rev. 2011;69 Suppl 1:S37-42. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2011.00431.x
Dwyer JT. The Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016: Moving Forward. J Nutr. 2018;148(suppl_3):1575S-1580S. doi:10.1093/jn/nxy159
