Dairy for Infants & Toddlers

Yes. Cow's milk is a safe and nutritious food for most children from 12 months of age as part of a healthy, balanced diet. It provides important nutrients such as protein, calcium and vitamin B12, which support growth and development. 

Like all foods, cow's milk is best consumed in age-appropriate amounts alongside a variety of other foods, including iron-rich foods. 

When to introduce dairy foods to babies is a common query among parents. Regular-fat yoghurt, cheese and custard can be introduced around the age of six months along with other solid foods. Regular-fat dairy products (compared to low-fat products) provide the extra energy babies need for growth. 

Once you’ve safely introduced dairy and there’s no sign of allergic reaction, it’s important to keep including it regularly in your baby’s diet. 

By regularly offering your infant allergenic foods (one to two times per week), you greatly reduce their risk of developing an allergy. Always speak to a healthcare professional for personalised advice on allergens. 

Using milk before 12 months: Milk should not be given as the main drink to infants under 12 months of age, however small amounts can be used when making solid foods like cereals and custards for babies aged around six months. 

Introducing milk as a drink: Regular-fat milk may be introduced at around 12 months of age and continued as children get older. Low-fat and reduced-fat milks are not recommended for children under the age of two. Either regular or reduced-fat varieties of milk can be given to children over the age of two. 

Australian dietary guidance provides recommendations for the number of dairy serves each day, which can come from milk, yoghurt and cheese. 

• Toddlers aged 1-2 years need 1 to 1 ½ serves of dairy a day to meet their nutritional requirements. 
• Toddlers aged 2-3 need 1½ serves of dairy a day to meet their nutritional requirements. 

• 1 cup (250mL) milk 
• ¾ cup (200g) of yoghurt 
• 2 slices (40g) cheese 

Calcium can affect iron absorption to some extent, particularly when iron supplements are taken at the same time. However, current evidence does not support the idea that having milk with a meal will completely prevent the body from absorbing iron from food. The greater concern is when large amounts of milk reduce a child's appetite for iron-rich foods.  

Iron deficiency symptoms may develop gradually. Possible signs include: 

• Tiredness or low energy 
• Pale skin 
• Reduced appetite 
• Difficulty concentrating 
• Irritability 
• Frequent illness 
• Slow growth and development 

If you are concerned about your child's iron levels or overall nutrition, speak with your GP or paediatric healthcare professional. 

Children need a variety of iron-rich foods as part of a balanced diet. Good sources of iron include: 

• Lean red meat 
• Chicken 
• Fish 
• Eggs 
• Iron-fortified cereals 
• Legumes such as lentils and beans 
• Tofu 
• Green leafy vegetables 

Serving these foods regularly throughout the week can help support healthy iron levels. 

Many toddlers go through phases of fussy eating. If you’re concerned that your child is regularly drinking large amounts of milk and eating very little food, discuss with your GP, paediatric dietitian or child health nurse. They can help identify whether milk intake is affecting appetite and provide practical strategies to broaden your child's diet.  

Small amounts of cow's milk can be used in cooking or on cereal from 6 months of age when solids are introduced, but it should not replace breastmilk or infant formula as a drink. From 12 months, regular-fat milk may be introduced as part of a healthy, balanced diet.   

For most children, there is no reason to avoid cow's milk unless advised by a healthcare professional. Cow's milk naturally provides a range of nutrients that support growth and development. Families who choose plant-based alternatives should select products that are appropriately fortified and seek professional advice if they are concerned about meeting their child's nutritional needs. 

Most healthy toddlers do not require toddler formula milks. When consumed in recommended amounts as part of a balanced diet, cow's milk and other dairy foods can help meet the nutritional needs of young children. Parents concerned about their child's growth, nutrition or eating habits should seek individual advice from a healthcare professional. 

No. Cow's milk does not directly cause iron deficiency. 

However, drinking excessive amounts of milk may increase the risk of iron deficiency if it replaces iron-rich foods in a child's diet. Young children have high iron requirements, so it is important that milk and other dairy foods are consumed alongside foods that provide iron.  

Iron deficiency occurs when the body's iron stores become low. Iron deficiency anaemia is a more serious condition that develops when iron levels become so low that the body cannot produce enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. 

Iron deficiency can often be corrected through dietary changes and, where appropriate, supplementation under the guidance of a health professional. 

Severe iron deficiency anaemia can be very serious and, in rare circumstances, may contribute to life-threatening complications. The tragic cases reported in the media involved severe iron deficiency anaemia and complex health circumstances. They should not be interpreted as evidence that drinking cow's milk itself is dangerous. 

For most children, following recommended dairy intake guidelines and providing a balanced diet that includes iron-rich foods helps support healthy growth and development.