Cow’s milk is a natural source of calcium and protein but low in iron.
Toddler milk is fortified with iron and other nutrients that can help fill common dietary gaps, but it should not replace a balanced diet.
Your dietitian, GP, healthcare professional, or paediatrician can help you make an evidence-based choice in regard to your toddler’s diet.
When your toddler turns 12 months old, it’s not always clear whether you should stick with formula or make the switch to cow’s milk. The decision can feel overwhelming, especially with so much conflicting advice and marketing claims out there.
To help you make an informed choice, this article will break down key differences between toddler milk and cow’s milk, including nutrition, cost, health benefits, and expert recommendations. If in doubt, your GP or other healthcare professional can help you make the best choice.
When your child reaches the one-year mark, you may be wondering how they’re going to get all the nutrients they need – is cow’s milk the best option, or should you consider toddler milk?
Cow’s milk is a natural, nutrient-rich beverage that is typically introduced after 12 months. Toddler milk is a nutritional supplement for toddlers that is designed to act as a safe, science-backed bridge between infant formula and solids. Also known as growing-up milk (GUM) or toddler milk formula, toddler milk is typically made from cow’s milk (or sheep’s milk, or goat’s milk) and is enriched with extra nutrients like vitamins, minerals, prebiotics, Omega-3 fats – and sometimes probiotics, to support gut health.
While many experts agree cow’s milk is the best choice for healthy toddlers, parents find toddler milk can be a helpful option during the transition from breastfeeding or baby formula to solid foods – especially if their child is a picky eater or needs extra nutrients.
Pros of cow’s milk:
Natural source of calcium, protein
Can be more affordable than toddler milk.
No added sugar or sweetener (if unflavoured).
Cons of cow’s milk:
Low in iron, increasing the risk of iron deficiency if not balanced with iron-rich foods.
Not suitable for toddlers with cow’s milk protein allergy or lactose intolerance.
Can reduce appetite for solid foods if consumed in excess.
Pros of toddler milk:
Fortified with iron, vitamin D, DHA, and other nutrients that can help fill dietary gaps. Often contains prebiotics and/or probiotics.
Lower protein content, which is associated with reduced early weight gain and a lower risk of obesity in later childhood.
Can be useful in specific medical or nutritional cases (growth concerns) under guidance from your paediatrician.
Cons of toddler milk:
Isn’t regulated like infant formula, so nutritional content may vary brand-to-brand.
May have a higher sugar content than cow’s milk (Danone products do not have any added sugar (sucrose), artificial sweeteners, or other unnecessary ingredients).
Can be more expensive than cow’s milk.
Many parents see toddler milk as the natural next step after baby formula, although that is often shaped by marketing. Some experts believe toddler milk is unnecessary for healthy toddlers, but it is seen as a method of improving the dietary intake of children whose diets, for whatever reasons, are inadequate
As a concerned parent, what should you believe?
Toddler milk and cow’s milk are both great sources of nutrition, but having too much of either – especially if your baby’s formula is packed with protein – could set the stage for unhealthy weight gain and future health issues like obesity. 2
While most healthy toddlers don’t need formula beyond infancy, some families choose toddler milk for its convenience and added nutrients – even if experts say it’s not essential. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that once a child reaches six months, they should start eating a variety of safe, nutritious foods alongside breastfeeding. 3
While some parents may question the science behind toddler milk, research from the GUMLi trial in Australia and New Zealand found that kids who drank Growing Up Milk Lite had significantly better levels of key nutrients than those who only had cow’s milk. 4
While toddler milk is no substitute for a balanced diet, it can be a helpful supplement – especially for fussy eaters or children with increased nutritional needs. Backed by over 50 years of research, Aptamil Gold+ 3 is formulated with key nutrients like iron, Omega-3s, and prebiotics to help make sure your toddler gets all the good stuff they need.
Cow’s milk and toddler milk are both nutritious options for kids over 12 months, although cow’s milk is recommended by experts like Health and Wellbeing Queensland as the healthier choice. While cow’s milk is often seen as being more affordable, toddler milk provides key vitamins and minerals – including iron, vitamin D, and zinc – that may be missing from everyday meals.
Toddler milks are scientifically designed to fill common nutritional gaps in your child’s diet, particularly when their intake of whole foods is inconsistent. These formulas often include:
Essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, calcium, and iron, which support bone health, immune function, and cognitive development.
DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) to aid brain and eye development.
Prebiotics and probiotics to support digestive health and a balanced gut microbiome.
The following table shows a comparison between the various nutrients found in cow’s milk and toddler milk. As can be seen, toddler milk is higher in key nutrients such as protein, saturated fat, DHA, fibre, probiotics, all vitamins, and iron.
| Nutritional information per 100mL prepared | Cow's Milk4 | Aptamil Gold+ Stage 3 | Karicare+ Stage 3 |
| Energy (kcal) | 67 | 70 | 70 |
| Energy (kJ) | 279 | 294 | 294 |
| Protein (g) | 3.4 | 1.5 | 2.1 |
| Fat (g) | 3.5 | 2.9 | 2.4 |
| -saturated fat (g) | 2.38 | 1.0 | 1.6 |
| -polyunsaturated fat (g) | 0.08 | 0.5 | 0.14 |
| DHA (mg) | 0.0 | 15.0 | 13.6 |
| EPA (mg) | 0.24 | 3.8 | 4.7 |
| Carbohydrate (g) | 5.5 | 9.1 | 9.8 |
| Sucrose (g) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Fibre (g) | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.4 |
| Probiotics | 0.0 | 425 million cfu b. breve M-16V | 0 |
| VITAMINS | |||
| Vitamin D3 (mcg) | 0.1 | 0.69 | 0.49 |
| Vitamin E (mg alpha-TE) | 0.09 | 0.87 | 1.20 |
| Vitamin C (mg) | 0.0 | 6.7 | 7.60 |
| Folic acid (mcg) | 5 | 9.8 | 23.10 |
| Vitamin B1 (mg) | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.07 |
| Vitamin B6 (mg) | 0.02 | 0.09 | 0.13 |
| MINERALS | |||
| Sodium (mg) | 36 | 15 | 22 |
| Iron (mg) | 0.02 | 0.85 | 0.79 |
Many Australian toddlers face gaps in their nutrition due to poor dietary habits, which can contribute to long-term health risks. 5 Iron deficiency is of particular concern, especially among toddlers who consume large amounts of cow’s milk or have a limited intake of iron-rich foods.
These gaps highlight the importance of balanced nutrition during early childhood to support healthy growth and development into your child’s teenage years and beyond.
A recent study found that an alarming 89% of Australian toddlers have diets high in junk foods such as chips, biscuits, and sugary drinks, which are all low in essential nutrients. The same study revealed that two-thirds of toddlers didn’t eat enough vegetables, with half not getting enough dietary fibre. A third consume too much sodium, increasing the risk of hypertension. 6
Poor dietary habits in early childhood are linked to a higher risk of obesity, which can lead to chronic health problems in adulthood.
Studies show that cow’s milk can fill your toddler up, leaving less room for iron-rich foods like meat and legumes. This can contribute to iron deficiency anaemia, which affects up to 30% of children in some Australian populations. 7
Government guidelines recommend limiting cow’s milk intake to no more than 500 mL per day for children over 12 months, as higher volumes can lead to nutritional imbalance.
Cow’s milk provides valuable nutrients like calcium and protein, which are important for a toddler’s growth and bone development. However, it also has limitations – particularly when consumed in large amounts. Cow’s milk is naturally low in iron and can fill toddlers up, which may reduce their appetite for iron-rich foods and increase the risk of iron deficiency.
Cow’s milk is naturally rich in key nutrients like calcium, protein, and vitamin B12, making it a valuable part of a toddler’s diet from 12 months. It contains all nine essential amino acids and provides around 60% of a toddler’s recommended daily protein intake per cup to support growth and development.
Beyond its nutritional value, cow’s milk is widely available and affordable, making it an accessible option for many Australian families.
While cow’s milk is a great source of key nutrients, it has very little iron and can interfere with your toddler’s iron absorption due to its high levels of calcium and casein. Intake of more than 500 mL per day can also fill your toddler up, reducing their appetite for iron-rich foods and increasing their risk of iron deficiency anaemia. 8
Toddler milk can be a helpful option when your toddler’s diet isn’t meeting their nutritional needs, especially during phases of fussy eating or limited variety. While most toddlers can get the nutrients they need from a balanced diet, some may benefit from the added vitamins, minerals, and DHA found in toddler milk. However, toddler milk should only be used to complement, not replace, a varied diet.
Toddler milk can be helpful for fussy eaters or toddlers who have restricted diets due to allergies, intolerances, or developmental feeding challenges. In these cases, formulas enriched with key nutrients can help fill nutritional gaps when whole food intake is insufficient.
Medically prescribed toddler milks are designed for children with specific health needs, such as severe food allergies, gastrointestinal disorders, or malabsorption issues. These formulas are often hypoallergenic and may be based on amino acids rather than whole proteins, making them suitable for toddlers who cannot tolerate cow’s milk, soy, or common allergens. They can also support children with conditions like short bowel syndrome, eosinophilic GI disorders, or protein maldigestion, and are typically recommended under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Your paediatrician can play a vital role in guiding you in toddler nutrition, providing evidence-based choices to help support the healthy growth of your child.
In situations where your toddler has nutritional gaps, a restricted diet, or growth concerns, your paediatrician may recommend toddler milk, not as a replacement, but as a supplement to a balanced diet.
Aptamil Gold+ 3 is a premium dietary supplement tailored for children 12 months and older, backed by 50 years of early life nutrition research. It contains 16 essential vitamins and minerals, a unique prebiotic and probiotic blend, and has no added sucrose, making it a trusted choice to strengthen your toddler’s immune system9, cognitive development, and digestive health.
Get in touch with our Careline experts
When your little one is unhappy or unwell you want reliable support from a trusted source. Our Careline team of nutritionists, midwife, and dietitians specialise in infant and child health, offering free nutrition, feeding and product information.
Every feeding journey is unique
We at Nutricia believe in providing the best nutrition for babies, which is why we recognise breast milk as uniquely superior for babies, it provides many benefits. It is important that mums have a healthy diet to support breastfeeding. A decision not to breastfeed, or partial bottle feed, may reduce breast milk supply making it difficult to reverse. The cost and social implications of using a feeding method should be considered. Always consider the individual circumstances of each customer or patient. Ensure formula is used as directed as improper use can affect baby’s health.
REMEMBER: The information on this page is general only. If you have any concerns about your baby’s poo or questions about constipation or any other health concerns, please speak to a healthcare professional, like a Pharmacist, GP or Maternal Child Health Nurse.
1. National Health and Medical Research Council [Internet] Infant feeding guidelines. [April 2024] Available at: https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/health-advice/public-health/nutrition/infant-feeding-guidelines
2. Child and Adolescent Health Service [Internet] Nutrition for children. [Updated June 2023] Available at: https://www.cahs.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/HSPs/CAHS/Documents/Community-Health/CHM/Nutrition-for-Children---Birth-to-18-years.pdf?thn=0
3. World Health Organisation [Internet] Infant and young child feeding. [December 2023] Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding
4. Lovell, Davies, Hill, et al [Paper] A comparison of the effects of Growing Up Lite milk (GUMLi) v. cow’s milk on longitudinal dietary patterns and nutrient intakes in children aged 12-23 months – the GUMLi randomised control trial. [March 2019] Available at: multisearch.mq.edu.au/discovery/fulldisplay/cdi_unpaywall_primary_10_1017_s0007114518003847/61MACQUARIE_INST:MQ
5. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet] Poor diet in children. [Updated July 2019] Available at: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/food-nutrition/poor-diet/contents/poor-diet-in-children
6. Moumin, Netting, Golley, et al [Paper] Usual nutrient intake distribution and prevalence of inadequacy among Australian children 0–24 months: Findings from the Australian feeding infants and toddlers study. [Updated February 2023] Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/7/1381
7. Graczykowska, Kaczmarek, Wilczyńska, et al [Paper] The consequence of excessive consumption of cow’s milk: Protein-losing enteropathy with Anasarca in the course of iron deficiency anemia - Case reports and a literature review. [March 2021] Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/3/828
8. The Royal children’s Hospital Melbourne [Internet] Iron deficiency. [Updated August 2023] Available at: https://www.rch.org.au/clinicalguide/guideline_index/iron_deficiency/
9. Prebiotic blend as scGOS/lcFOS in the ratio of 9:1.
When your little one is unhappy or unwell you want reliable support from a trusted source. Our Careline team of nutritionists, dietitians and midwives specialise in infant and child health, offering free nutrition, feeding and product information.
Not every parent can produce breast milk. No matter what choice you make, we will support your unique feeding journey.
We at Nutricia believe in providing the best nutrition for babies, which is why we recognise breast milk is uniquely superior for babies as it provides many benefits. It is important that mums have a healthy diet to support breastfeeding. A decision not to breastfeed, or partial bottle feed, may reduce breast milk supply making it difficult to reverse. The cost and social implications of using feeding methods should be considered. Always seek professional advice about feeding your baby. Ensure formula is used as directed as improper use can affect baby’s health.
REMEMBER: The information on this page is general only. If you have any concerns about your baby’s poo or questions about constipation or any other health concerns, please speak to a healthcare professional, like a Pharmacist, GP or Maternal Child Health Nurse.
