How Much Milk Does a Toddler Need?
Seems like moms are always telling their kids to drink their milk. Believe it or not, there is no minimum amount of milk that toddlers need to drink. But there is a maximum: toddlers shouldn't have more than 24 ounces of milk a day. Ideally, they should get around 16-18 ounces of milk (about one cup at each meal).
While your toddler doesn't need milk, he does need calcium (between 500-700 mg of calcium per day) and vitamin D. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends vitamin D supplementation of 400 IU per day if a child is drinking less than 16 ounces of milk a day.
If your toddler doesn't drink milk, he'll need to get those nutrients elsewhere. He can get his calcium from a variety of foods, including yogurt, cheese, cooked spinach, tofu, raw broccoli, and orange juice (fortified with calcium). Some brands of yogurt, cereal and orange juice are now fortified with vitamin D. You should talk to your pediatrician if you have questions about toddler nutrition or if you think your kid might need a vitamin D supplement.
report abuseWhile your toddler doesn't need milk, he does need calcium (between 500-700 mg of calcium per day) and vitamin D. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends vitamin D supplementation of 400 IU per day if a child is drinking less than 16 ounces of milk a day.
If your toddler doesn't drink milk, he'll need to get those nutrients elsewhere. He can get his calcium from a variety of foods, including yogurt, cheese, cooked spinach, tofu, raw broccoli, and orange juice (fortified with calcium). Some brands of yogurt, cereal and orange juice are now fortified with vitamin D. You should talk to your pediatrician if you have questions about toddler nutrition or if you think your kid might need a vitamin D supplement.
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