• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Family

Do little kids need 'toddler milk?': Here is what to know

3:30
Mom of 4 fitness guru's at-home workout for moms
Getty Images, istock, ABC News Photo Illustration
Genevieve Shaw-Brown
ByGenevieve Shaw Brown
February 06, 2020, 6:17 PM

It's common practice that babies who are formula-fed switch to cow's milk around their first birthdays. For breast milk-fed babies, that transition usually happens either after the baby's first birthday or whenever mom starts to wean.

However, in recent years, more parents are opting for "toddler milk."

Manufactured by the same companies that offer baby formula, including Enfamil, Happy Baby, Nature's One and HIPP, toddler milk is marketed as the next step for babies one year or older.

According to a 2016 report from the World Health Organization, toddler milk is the fastest-growing category of breast milk substitutes, with 8.6% growth per year.

While the market for toddler milk grows, sales of infant formula have decreased. "Sales of toddler milk more than doubled in the study period [2006-2015], from $39 million in 2006 to $92 million in 2015. In the same time period, TV, print, and online advertising spending for toddler milk increased from less than $5 million annually to more than $20 million annually, while advertising spending for infant formula declined," a study cited in The Atlantic, revealed.

In an era of overwhelming choices, opinions and social media pressures to be the perfect parent, toddler milk may just be one more thing parents don't need, but purchase anyway because they think they should.

Related Articles

More: Why more moms are turning to 'black-market' baby formula

Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez, a pediatrician at Columbia University, told "Good Morning America" toddler milk is unnecessary.

"Regular cow's milk and water are the only beverages a toddler needs and I really encourage parents of toddlers to fight the urge to give them more food, more nutrients and let their kids regulate their own appetite," she advised.

"I worry that parents sometimes get creative -- trying to give more milk, PediaSure, juice, etcetera and ultimately, the liquid calories make their kids full and decreases their appetite for real, nutritious food," she said.

The makers of one of the most popular toddler milks, Enfagrow Toddler Next Step Milk Powder, don't necessarily agree.

Related Articles

More: Momtroversy: Are 'baby prenups' a good idea for expecting parents?

Toddler Milk
Getty Images, istock, ABC News Photo Illustration

Editor’s Picks

Parents, are you 'phubbing' your kids?

  • Feb 05, 2020

Facebook's Messenger Kids gets tighter controls: Here's what parents need to know

  • Feb 04, 2020

Related Topics

  • Parenting

Editor’s Picks

Parents, are you 'phubbing' your kids?

  • Feb 05, 2020

Facebook's Messenger Kids gets tighter controls: Here's what parents need to know

  • Feb 04, 2020

Up Next in Family—

What to know about camp safety: Key questions for parents after Texas flooding

July 11, 2025

Mom welcomes triplets after 10 years of thinking she couldn't have any more kids

July 10, 2025

Moms of 'kidfluencers' defend sharing their lives online

July 9, 2025

Anne Hathaway shares rare glimpse into life at home as mom and wife

July 8, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News