Milk and dairy products provide several important nutrients for young children, including calcium, which helps build strong bones and teeth. In the U.S., most children’s milk is also fortified with vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium.
Yogurt and cheese can also contribute meaningful amounts of calcium. If your child eats a mix of milk, yogurt, and cheese over the day, they can usually meet calcium needs without needing large amounts of any one product.
If your child avoids dairy completely—for example due to cow’s milk protein allergy—it’s important to get individual guidance from a pediatrician and often a registered dietitian (RD/RDN) to ensure your child still meets needs for calcium, vitamin D, protein, and other nutrients.
What milk should young children drink?
In U.S. guidance, whole cow’s milk is typically recommended from 12–24 months (for children who can have dairy), because toddlers need dietary fat for growth and brain development. After age 2, many children can transition to lower-fat milk depending on overall diet and growth.
Milk fat is not a main source of omega-3 fats. To support healthy fat intake, it can help to include omega-3 sources elsewhere in the diet (for example certain fish, or plant oils like canola oil, the U.S. term for rapeseed oil).
Low-fat and whole milk contain similar amounts of many vitamins and minerals (like calcium), but differ in calorie and fat content.
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