Almond Milk for a 1 Year Old

Our 14 month old still doesn't want whole milk, but seems to like Almond milk a little better.  Can we use that as an alternative or should we still continue to just offer the whole milk?  I want to wean from nursing, but feel bad doing it without a milk replacement.

Cow’s milk is not essential, but 1 year olds need to be offered a high fat diet rich in calcium.

Children continue to coat their nerves with myelin until 2 years old. The myelin sheath is a layer of insulation that helps nerve cells transmit electrical impulses. A diet rich in fat is essential for these developing nerves.

Almond milk is made from soaked, crushed and strained almonds. It has no cholesterol and about thirty percent the fat as whole cow’s milk.

Naturally, almond milk has very little calcium. Most store brand almond milks are fortified with calcium and vitamin D. The store brand I found actually contains more calcium than cow’s milk.

By switching her completely to almond milk she would need to find an extra source of fat. I would continue to offer her cow’s milk at meals as you wean her. Hopefully, she will drink more as she is completely weaned.

Written January 2012 by
Dr. Gordon, Orlando Pediatrician