As every (did someone say exhausted?) nonstopmama of a toddler knows, the growing up stage between 12 months and three years is an amazing time developmentally. Things move fast (like the little ones!), they’re growing quickly and ensuring that your child is getting a healthy, balanced diet – with all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients they need – is a priority.
A way to ‘top up’ toddler diets, Growing Up Milk is an alternative to giving cow’s milk which has been specially formulated to meet the needs of children in this age group.
‘Believe it or not, between the ages of one and three, toddlers grow faster than at any other time since they were born,’ says Amanda Ursell (left), nutritionist and nonstopmama of two, who offers advice on toddler nutrition and introducing Growing Up Milk at the Growing Up Milk website. ‘On average, they gain an astonishing 40 per cent in height and weight over these three short years.
‘What’s more, toddlers have very active brains and bodies. They need lots of energy and the right amount of nutrients to fuel their daily exploring, discovering and tearing around.’
As Amanda explains, cow’s milk is suitable to give to children from the age of twelve months. ‘At this age, it’s OK as the main milk drink, but is not recommended before twelve months of age as it has a very low iron content,’ she says.
‘However, if a mum is concerned about their child’s nutrient intake – perhaps they are a fussy eater or have a very small appetite so the nutrients they are getting from food are limited – then a Growing Up Milk may be useful because they are fortified with a variety of vitamins and minerals. A simple switch from ordinary cow’s milk to Growing Up Milk could make a big difference to the overall nutrient intake in some toddlers.’
If you’re thinking about making the transition from cow’s milk to a toddler milk, the Growing Up Milk website has lots of tips on doing so – such as introducing it gradually, and using a special new cup or beaker for the new milk – along with expert advice and video clips featuring Amanda and Dr Hilary Jones.
Helpfully, too, it also includes more advice on toddler nutrition, along with suggested weekly meal plans.
This a sponsored post.
