The short answer
Milk is one possible part of a varied diet, not a replacement for meals. Guidance differs by country and age: US guidance for 12–23 months counts milk with other dairy servings, while UK advice focuses on suitable main drinks and foods. Ask your child’s clinician for an individual amount, especially if growth, iron, or dietary needs are a concern.
In this guide · 12 sections
Keep in mind
- Milk, yoghurt, and cheese can all contribute dairy; milk should not crowd out other foods.
- Country guidance and the child’s exact age matter, especially around 24 months.
- Choose pasteurised, unsweetened options and ask a clinician about special diets or growth concerns.
How important is milk at 19–24 months?
Milk can provide nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D, but it is only one part of a varied diet. Food and other suitable drinks matter too.
A child’s needs depend on age, usual diet, health, and whether they continue to breastfeed. There is no single amount that fits every family.
Guidance can differ between countries, so use advice for where your child receives care and ask a clinician if you are unsure.
Do milk, yoghurt, and cheese count together?
Yes. Dairy can come from different foods, including milk, yoghurt, and cheese. A child who eats yoghurt or cheese may need a different amount of milk than one who does not.
Offer age-appropriate portions as part of meals and snacks, rather than using milk to replace a varied diet.
If your family avoids dairy, ask a clinician or dietitian how to choose suitable fortified alternatives and meet your child’s needs.
What does US guidance say for 12–23 months?
UK guidance focuses on suitable drinks and a varied diet rather than a single milk-only target for every toddler. NHS advice says pasteurised whole milk can be a main drink after 12 months; ask your health visitor, GP, or dietitian for advice about your child’s overall dairy intake.
This is a US population guide for that age band, not a prescription for an individual child or a milk-only target.
At 24 months, the child moves beyond this exact age band. Ask your clinician which current guidance applies to your child and diet.
Why can too much milk be a concern?
Large amounts of milk can reduce appetite for foods that provide other nutrients. Some experts also note that high cow’s-milk intake may make iron harder to absorb.
Offer meals and snacks as well as drinks, and notice whether milk is regularly replacing food.
If your child drinks a lot of milk or has low iron, poor growth, or a limited diet, ask a clinician for advice before making major changes.
Which type of milk should I offer?
UK NHS guidance allows pasteurised whole milk as a main drink after 12 months and advises against skimmed or 1% milk as a main drink before age 5. At this age, whole milk and full-fat dairy foods are recommended.
UK guidance allows pasteurised whole milk as a main drink after 12 months and advises against skimmed or 1% milk as a main drink before age 5.
Needs may differ with health conditions or growth. Ask your child’s clinician before choosing a lower-fat or plant-based alternative as the main drink.
Does my toddler need follow-on or toddler formula?
NHS guidance says first infant formula is not needed after 12 months for most children, and toddler, growing-up, or goodnight milks are unnecessary. This does not apply to a prescribed medical product without advice from the clinician who recommended it.
US CDC guidance notes that cow’s milk or suitable fortified alternatives can be part of a balanced diet from 12 months; formula questions may differ for children with specific needs.
Do not stop a prescribed formula or medical nutrition product without checking with the clinician who recommended it.
If breastfeeding continues, is cow’s milk required?
Breastfeeding can continue for as long as parent and child want. Cow’s milk is not the only way to include dairy nutrients in a child’s diet.
Offer suitable family foods and drinks as well. The balance depends on the child’s age, diet, and health.
If you are unsure how breastfeeding fits with meals or other milk, discuss your child’s growth and diet with a clinician.
When should I talk with a clinician?
Ask for individual advice if your child has poor growth, iron deficiency, allergies, a restricted diet, or a medical condition that affects nutrition.
Also ask if milk seems to replace meals, or you are unsure what amount or type is suitable as your child approaches age 2.
A clinician or dietitian can consider the full diet rather than looking at milk in isolation.
What can I do today?
Note the milk and dairy foods your child has over a typical day, including breastfeeds if relevant, and how this fits around meals.
Choose pasteurised, unsweetened drinks and offer water. Keep milk from displacing varied foods.
Use the guidance for your country and age group, and ask a clinician if your child has special nutritional needs.
Do not treat a general online amount as a target without considering your child’s full diet and health.
When to seek support
Some signs need emergency help; other concerns can be discussed with your child’s healthcare team.
- Discuss milk intake with a clinician if your child has poor growth, iron deficiency, allergies, a restricted diet, or drinks very large amounts.
- Do not use unpasteurised milk for a young child.
Sources used for this guide
- www.nhs.uk — regional guidance
- NHS — Your baby's first solid foods
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — CDC – Cow's Milk and Milk Alternatives – 16 Nisan 2026
English editorial review:
The English text and regional guidance have been checked editorially. This is not an individual clinical assessment.
Luluna provides general parenting information. It does not diagnose conditions or replace your child’s healthcare professional.
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