Healthy Habits: Toddler Formula – 7 Important Facts You Need To Know

Your little one has already completed his or her first trip around the Sun and you think that the formula journey is over as well. But you notice toddler formulas on the shelves. The packages look very familiar, only an age marker states “12+ months”. But before deciding to give them a try, here is something you should know.

Toddler Formulas Differ from Baby Formulas

The same package, the same brand, but don’t let the seeming similarity fool you. Baby formulas are specifically created to replace mother's milk if a baby cannot get it due to medical, social or any other reasons. Meanwhile toddler formulas’ goal is to help a baby with transitioning to solid products. 1-year-olds no longer need breast milk, so it is not necessary to consume something nutritionally close to it.

Breastfeeding Can Last Longer than Formula Feeding

Many mothers of toddlers find it hard to switch to regular nutrition because kids of the same age as theirs are still breastfed. But it is necessary to specify that breastfeeding after the age of 1 is more emotionally beneficial, than nutritionally. If your child is ready to eat solid food, don’t prolong the transition process with milk-based supplements.

Toddler Formulas Are Not Required for Every Child

As was stated above, baby formulas are needed for nourishing the little ones who cannot consume breast milk. And for children older than 1 milk formulas are only for the situations when a child struggles with transitioning to solid food, has problems with chewing, swallowing, or digesting the “adult” food.

Consult Your Pediatrician Before You Start Using Toddler Formulas

The reasons why your child does not transition to the general nutritional system can be medical. Tell your doctor about it and ask for further advice – it may or may not include special supplement nutrients.

For Children Who Consume Toddler Formulas It Is Psychologically Harder to Switch to Regular Food

The longer your child’s nutrition is limited to milk formulas, the stranger the regular food will seem for them. And even though the child’s body may be completely ready for chewing and digesting solid foods, their mind struggles to let go of something they got used to, it is a major stress.

The Rule of Reading the Label Becomes Even More Important

Toddler formulas usually contain much more potentially dangerous ingredients because their manufacturing is not defined by the rule that the product should be nutritionally close to breast milk. Some manufacturers add sodium, chemical sweeteners, corn syrup and palm oil, which are dangerous for your child’s health.

Choose Wisely

If you regarded all the points above and decided to give milk-based food supplements for toddlers a try, choose the most appropriate variant to ease your toddler’s food transition process. For example, consider Swiss brand Holle. The Best Holle Organic Baby Foods include toddler formulas based on either cow (more nutrient) or goat (easily digestible, less likely to provoke allergic reactions) milk.

In conclusion, toddler formulas have their pros and cons which should be taken into consideration when you decide whether you need this nutritional option for your baby or not. If yes, then choose an organic milk formula from a reliable brand.