Your little one has had their first birthday. Cue all the emotions for you. And cue all the questions about how and when to start weaning your baby off formula.
While breastfeeding is encouraged up to the age of two (or beyond), health experts recommend water or cow’s milk for a 1 year old coming off formula.
So what’s the go with toddler formula? Should you move onto a goat milk toddler formula like Oli6 Stage 3? Is toddler formula milk for them, or is it unnecessary?
In this article we’ll provide five solid reasons why you may consider offering your little one Oli6 Goat Toddler Milk Drink after they turn one.
1. Kids. Love. It.
Need we say more?
Reviews that parents have left on third party review site Product Review demonstrate what a cult following Oli6 Stage 3 Toddler Milk Drink has! We put this down to a few things:
- It tastes great – Goat’s milk tastes different to cow’s milk. It’s sweeter, creamier and earthier in flavour. Plus, because Oli6 has formulated our goat milk toddler drink with DHA from plant based sources, there’s no strange fishy taste.
- It’s easy to digest – No one likes an upset tummy, and Oli6 Goat Milk Toddler Drink is naturally gentle on tummies. This makes it a great option for little ones with conditions like CMPI, reflux or constipation.
- It supports skin conditions and intolerances – Goat’s milk is naturally lower in allergenic proteins, making it a good cow’s milk alternative for little ones with skin conditions and tummy upsets.
Do toddlers need formula? As long as they’re getting enough nutrients from their diet then most don’t require formula as well. But let’s keep in mind that when it comes to goat’s milk formula, toddlers benefit beyond nutritionally. Toddler formula can also provide comfort and help your little one settle.
There’s no harm in offering Oli6 Stage 3 Goat Milk Formula, especially if your child loves it!
2. Provides almost half a daily serve of Vitamin C
If your toddler is in daycare, you’ll know all about the beating their immune system takes in that first year or so. Germs. Are. Everywhere.
So if you’re anxiously awaiting the horror of sick season, you can take comfort in the fact that goat’s milk toddler formula might actually help in the fight against sickness. In fact, one serve provides almost half (47%) of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C.
3. Packed with prebiotics and probiotics
Speaking of protecting against sickness, prebiotics and probiotics also provide great immune support in toddlers. Oli6 Stage 3 Goat Milk Toddler Drink contains these in ample amounts to bolster your child’s immune system.
Probiotics can help with:
- Managing allergies and eczema
- Relieving constipation
- Improved lactose digestion
- Treating diarrhoea and gastro
- Overall gut health and immune support
- Reducing the severity of respiratory infections.
Unlike other goat milk toddler formulas, Oli6 Stage 3 contains the unique probiotic BB536 which has been shown to alleviate gastrointestinal, immunological and infectious diseases.
Prebiotics can help with:
- Supporting a child’s developing gut microbiome
- Improving calcium and magnesium absorption
- Digestion.
While prebiotics can be found in foods like apples and bananas, tomatoes and chickpeas – we already know parents of picky eaters are rolling their eyes at the thought of getting these into their child!
One of the unique benefits of Oli6 toddler formula is that it’s naturally higher in human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) than cow’s milk products. HMOs are prebiotics that are found in human breast milk and provide substantial health benefits.
4.Supports healthy eyes, teeth and bones
Oli6 Goat Milk Toddler Drink contains an array of nutrients to help support your little one’s growth and development alongside a healthy diet.
Namely, it contains:
- Iodine, Iron and Zinc for cognitive function
- Zinc for immunity
- Vitamin A for healthy eyes and vision
- Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphorus for teeth and bone structure.
Note: Toddler formula shouldn’t replace a healthy diet
Toddler milk gets a bad rap. (And truth be told, some brands DO contain high amounts of added sugar. Always check the label before you buy!)
Health experts warn parents against relying solely on toddler formula to provide kids with the nutrients they should get from the food they eat.
But while toddler formula isn’t necessary, it’s not harmful either.
Beyond nutritional benefit, goat’s milk toddler formula provides hydration, comfort, and enjoyment. But if you’re not sure about giving your child toddler milk, have a chat to your paediatrician about it.
While health providers recommend that formula feeding babies switch to whole cow’s milk after the age of 1, this isn’t an option for all. Children with sensitive tummies, for example, or especially those with cow’s milk allergies actually can’t turn to cow’s milk.
Which brings us to our last point about Oli6 Stage 3 formula…
5. Provides a great option for sensitive tummies
If your child has suffered from intolerances, colic, constipation, reflux or other digestive upsets, their tummy will delight in the easy to digest nature of goat’s milk toddler formula!
Goat’s milk toddler formula vs. cow’s milk
Goat’s milk is naturally easier to digest than cow’s milk:
- It contains smaller fat and protein molecules which produce softer curds that are gentler on tiny tummies.
- It’s free from the beta A1 casein protein which is prevalent in cow’s milk, making it more suitable for some children with tummy sensitivities.
- It contains less lactose than cow’s milk formula, making it more friendly for little ones with lactose intolerance or sensitivity.
While toddler formula isn’t necessary to maintain your child’s health, there’s no harm in offering your little one a comforting drink they enjoy, and that’s packed with nutrients to support their growth.
If you’re keen to give it a try, choose Oli6 Stage 3 Goat Toddler Drink for children aged 12 months – 3 years, or Oli6 Goat Milk Junior Drink for children aged 3–7 years.
