Whole Milk

Children up to five years of age need to have up to about 500-600 millilitres of milk a day (or the equivalent in dairy foods) to meet their calcium needs. This is because milk at this age is an important source of energy, protein and essential vitamins and minerals needed for growth and development.

From between six and 12 months, whole pasteurised cow's milk can be used as an ingredient in recipes, but should not be given as an alternative to breast or formula milk. The World Health Organisation does not give an upper age limit for breastfeeding; it is up to the individual mother when she feels her little one is ready to move on from breast milk. Ideally it should be a gradual process. Provided her baby is over 12 months, whole pasteurised cow’s milk can be given as an alternative to breast or formula milk.

Milk is a good source of protein and energy and whole milk is high in fat and saturated fat. Young children need a higher energy intake and also fat soluble vitamins, which is why it’s recommended that up to about two years toddlers should have whole milk. Gradually moving over to semi-skimmed milk from two years is fine. Skimmed milk is fine for adults, but semi-skimmed milk will have higher levels of fat soluble vitamins compared to skimmed so can still make a valuable contribution to young children’s diets.

Key vitamins

Whole milk provides essential vitamins for young children’s diets. The fatty part of the milk contains vitamin A, D and low levels of E. These are particularly important for young children’s growth and development.

Why are these vitamins so important?

Vitamin A is needed for growth and development, a healthy immune system and it also plays an essential role in the functioning of the retina (in the eye) and helps people to see in the dark.

Milk also contains vitamin D which is needed to absorb the calcium and phosphorous in the body so is important for bone and dental health. The body gets a lot of vitamin D by converting light energy from sunlight into vitamin D.

Milk and dairy products are also good sources of B vitamins, particularly vitamin B12, and Riboflavin.

Vitamin B12 is needed for the development and function of the nervous system and production of red blood cells as well as helping to convert food into energy.

Riboflavin helps the body convert food into energy. It also helps to maintain healthy skin membranes.

Key minerals

Milk contains essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorous.

Calcium

It is well known that milk is a good source of calcium. This essential mineral is needed for the growth and maintenance of teeth bones and is also necessary for muscle contraction.

Magnesium

Like calcium, magnesium is needed for the development of the skeleton as well as maintaining nerve and muscle function. Milk contributes some magnesium to the diet but the main sources are cereals and green vegetables.

Zinc

Zinc supports growth and development, sexual development, the immune system, and helps the body to heal wounds, release energy and nutrients from food. It also helps the body to use vitamin A and is thought to have a role in converting retinol (vitamin A) to retinal in the eye’s retina.

Often children start to go off milk when they become toddlers. They still need to have 2-3 portions, per day, of dairy foods and milk in their diet though. To make milk more appealing, you can make milkshakes with fresh fruit. Meals and dishes that include whole milk goodness include:

• Breakfast cereals and porridge
• Fresh fruit smoothies made with yogurt
• Cauliflower cheese
• Macaroni cheese
• Lasagne
• Fish pie
• Rice pudding
• Yogurts
• Fromage frais
• Custard
• Ice cream
• Semolina