If your baby just turned one, it’s a great time to start two big transitions: from bottle to cup, and from formula or breastmilk to dairy milk. If you’re still breastfeeding, you can introduce dairy milk alongside it.
Growing Years is an ideal first milk to transition toddlers from breastmilk or formula to dairy milk because it was developed with pediatricians, uses high-quality organic dairy, and is specifically made with key nutrients for growing kids.
Horizon Organic’s Growing Years Milk provides children with protein, calcium, prebiotics, DHA Omega-3, and choline in a single cup.
Toddlers do best with routine—it gives them comfort and helps reduce tantrums (though not completely!). Transitions like moving from bottle to cup can be tough, but with a little consistency and practice, your toddler will get there. Creating a regular milk-time routine with a tasty, nutrient-filled option like Growing Years Milk can make a big difference in making the switch smoother.
Serve a small cup of Growing Years Milk alongside each of your child’s meals and snacks. Toddlers should drink about 16 oz of dairy milk per day*. This is 2-4 ounces per meal, 4-5 times per day.
Serve Horizon Organic Growing Years Whole Milk while your toddler is seated in a supportive high chair or booster seat at the table.
Giving your child a consistent location for meals will provide predictability, and the supportive chair will keep them stable and secure.
Serve Growing Years Milk in an open cup or with a straw.
Encourage your toddler to use a mature swallowing pattern and practice lip, tongue, and jaw movements important for development. Sit with your toddler and eat and drink alongside them. Remember that toddlers learn through imitation (by watching you).
Toddlerhood is a time for questioning, exercising opinions, and learning to make choices. If your little one is refusing dairy milk, here are five strategies to help.
Consistency: Keep consistently serving milk at meal and snack times. As your toddler continues to take small sips, they will grow accustomed to the taste.
Serve it warm: If your toddler is used to drinking warm formula or breastmilk, warmed dairy milk can be familiar and calming.
Blend it: Make a smoothie with Growing Years Milk, serve with yogurt or in a fruit puree. Gradually add more dairy milk and less yogurt or puree over time.
Wean over time: Start with 1 oz. Horizon Growing Years Whole Milk to 4 oz. formula or breastmilk, then gradually increase Growing Years and decrease formula or breastmilk over time.
Create a special milk-time routine: Routine helps toddlers, and special time with you can be very motivating. Use this comforting routine to help them learn. Once they are drinking dairy milk consistently, gradually move back to serving dairy milk with meals.
*Having milk served consistently with meals will develop familiarity with the taste and will give your toddler comfort knowing what to expect.
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