It's a big milestone when bub's first birthday rolls around. You've survived those newborn nights, and are now entering toddlertown. Although the “terrible twos” await, toddlertown is an incredibly exciting stage for your little one as they transition into fully-fledged little people.
So, how do we ensure they get the best possible nutrition during the toddler years? What role can a toddler milk play and how do we successfully introduce one to our toddlers? We sat down with nutritionist Kelsey Biffert to learn more about her own experience, and share some top tips below.
Introducing toddler milk
When your bub hits the 12-month milestone and you start incorporating solid foods, it’s the perfect time to introduce LittleOak Toddler Milk, as it's the perfect supplement for your little one's new diet. We know that toddlers are notoriously picky eaters, which is why our Stage 3 product is thoughtfully created to meet their dietary needs, giving them all those essential nutrients. Just add 1 level scoop of powder for every 50ml of liquid, and you’re good to go. As their digestive system is more mature, it’s usually very easy to make this switch, with 1-2 feeds of toddler milk a day.
Slow and steady
However, some parents opt for a slower transition – which is usually gentler on growing tummies. Whether it’s gradually incorporating toddler milk into their diet, or using a new, fun straw cup, there are plenty of ways to ease your little one into this next stage of their feeding journey.
It’s important you wean your little one off the bottle once they hit the 12-month mark as it can have longer term impacts on dental health, so switching to toddler milk can be a great way to signify this change. Otherwise, your child may become overly attached to the bottle habit, making it a tough one to break. Kelsey, for instance, started offering our LittleOak Toddler Milk in a straw cup at mealtimes, and then also as a bedtime treat.
Make it fun
Toddlers just wanna have fun! Incredibly curious and playful, toddlers are only just starting to learn about their bodies and their food preferences. Finding new ways to incorporate toddler milk can spice things up and keep feeding time an exciting adventure. Kelsey shared that she uses LittleOak’s Toddler Milk in baking, smoothies and more. Stay tuned for our Welcome to Toddlertown e-cookbook, with all sorts of recipes featuring your favourite LittleOak Toddler Milk. Big nutrition done easy.
Download LittleOak's transitioning guide
Test out the temperature
If your bub is used to drinking pre-warmed formula, it can be quite the shock to switch to a cold drink. Ease the transition and test out a gently warmed milk to keep things familiar for your little one.
Congratulations to all you mums and dads for hitting the 12-month milestone. While we can imagine it was filled with long nights, we know you have an exciting adventure ahead. We’re here to help at every step of the way, so be sure to reach out to our careline with any questions regarding transitioning your little one to toddler milk. We are here for you.
LittleOak has been nourishing children for many years and feeds millions of infants and babies across the globe each and every day, in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. In the US, we're proud to have our FDA compliant Toddler Milk available for families.