5 of the Most Common Toddler Milk Myths Busted

Becoming a parent is one of the most incredible things you can do. The smiles, the cuddles, the unconditional love - it’s intoxicating - and sometimes, even a little mind-boggling!

Yep, parenting is not without its challenges - like the constant battle to try and get your child dressed each day, or your fussy eater to obtain some kind of nutrition! These hurdles are often made harder by the fact that modern parents are more often than not juggling work and home life, and simply trying to do the best for their kids - all the while trying to decipher confusing nutrition labels.

So, in saying that - we have made it our mission to debunk some of the biggest myths surrounding toddler nutrition - particularly regarding toddler milk drinks.

Whether your baby is breastfeeding, or bottle feeding, you may be considering making the switch to a toddler milk drink (like Oli6® Goat Milk Toddler Drink) once they have their first birthday and in the interest of ensuring you’re well informed, we want to address a few of the biggest myths about toddler milk drinks and nutrition.

First of all, let’s talk about the important role toddler milk can play in a child’s diet:

The Infant Nutrition Council of Australia and New Zealand describe toddler milk in the following way: ‘Toddler milk drinks are specially formulated to help supplement a young child’s diet when energy and nutrient intake may not be adequate. They can provide a convenient source of energy and nutrients identified as important for this age group, especially iron, and also vitamin D, iodine and zinc, when included as part of a toddler’s varied diet. [They provide] a supplement to a normal diet to address situations when intakes of energy and nutrients may not be adequate to meet an individual’s requirements’.

Now, onto the myths.

Myth #1: 'Toddler milk drinks are full of sugar'

Answer: False! In fact, Oli6® Goat Milk Toddler Drink contains only ‘good sugars’.

It’s crucial to understand that not all sugars are created equal. While excessive consumption of added sugars, particularly those found in sugary snacks and beverages, can indeed have detrimental effects on health, not all sources of sugar are harmful. In fact, certain sugars, when consumed in moderation and as part of a balanced diet, can provide essential energy and nutrients.

One such source is lactose; the naturally occurring sugar found in milk. Milk has long been recognised as a cornerstone of early childhood nutrition, providing essential nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D. Toddler milk drinks, which are specifically formulated to meet the nutritional needs of young children, contains lactose as a primary carbohydrate source. Lactose serves as a vital source of energy for toddlers, who are undergoing rapid growth and development.

Lactose is not the same as other types of sugars, such as sucrose. A recent tv news program compared the natural sugar (lactose) in toddler milk drinks to added sugar (sucrose) found in fizzy soft drinks, and implied that as the total amount of sugars were similar in both drinks, they were equally harmful for young children. 

However, such a comparison was misleading, as lactose is far less likely to contribute to tooth decay compared to sucrose. Lactose is also less fermentable by oral bacteria, which means it is less likely to produce acids that lead to enamel erosion, unlike sucrose, which is metabolised into acids that attack tooth enamel, potentially leading to the formation of cavities. Lactose has only 20-40% of the sweetness of sucrose, and therefore less likely to incentivise overconsumption. Moreover, toddler milk drinks have other necessary vitamins and minerals, whereas fizzy soft drinks provide no nutritional benefit for toddlers and young children.  

Myth #2: ‘DHA only comes from fish oil’

Answer: Incorrect!

The DHA found in Oli6® Goat Milk Toddler Drink is derived from algae, meaning it is suitable for families who avoid fish due to allergies, or follow a vegetarian diet.

Myth #3: ‘My toddler is eating three meals now, and doesn’t need toddler milk’

Answer: This could be true, but it also may not!

From 12 months of age, many toddlers move from breastmilk (and/or infant formula) to cow’s milk without nutritional concerns, as they learn to eat and enjoy a wider selection of solid foods. But some children do have specific nutritional needs. A recent study by the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute estimated that around 25% of toddlers aged 12-24 months have an inadequate iron intake. Many toddler milk drinks are iron-fortified to address this nutritional deficiency. Of course, moderation is key. Whether your child is drinking cow’s milk or toddler milk drinks, around two cups a day is a good limit to set. 

Without adequate carbohydrates, including lactose, in their diet, toddlers may struggle to meet their energy requirements, potentially compromising their growth and development.

Myth #4: ‘All probiotics in formula are the same’

Answer… false!

Probiotics have many different strains, and the different strains are suited for different purposes. The BB536 found in Oli6® Goat Milk Toddler Drink may help with gut health (digestion) and immunity, which is so important in growing children. It is also known to be anti-allergy and to protect against microbial infections.

Myth #5: Goat’s milk tastes too “goaty”

Answer… false!

Not all goat milk toddler drinks taste the same, as they’re made differently! Oli6® Goat Milk Toddler Drink is a great tasting goat milk drink accepted by many little fussy eaters. This is just one of the many reasons why parents are raving about Oli6® on Product Review, and have given it an overall star rating of 4.9!

See this review, from Skye Caltabiano: “My baby seems to really enjoy it and it is gentle on the stomach and easy to digest.”

Did you know?

It is also important to note that all formulas in AU need to comply with strict regulations set by FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand).

Oli6® also offers small pouches for purchase at oli6.com, including free shipping, so you can trial their products before committing to a whole tin.