Formula Milk for Toddlers

For older babies, even if extended breastfeeding is considered to be beneficial, the milk companies attempt to manipulate consumers that by giving their children formula milk, they are getting something better. If you notice, all of the formula milk ads are targeted towards toddlers and preschoolers. In the US, the American Academy of Pediatricians recommends whole cow's milk for children beyond one and not formula. However, in the Philippines, we have formula milk for almost everyone!
Dr. Francesca Tatad-To,* respected pediatrician-neonatologist AND breastfeeding advocate shares her thoughts on this matter. Please note that this post is for informational purposes only and this is no substitute for medical advice given after an actual examination by a board certified doctor of your particular case.

Formula is unnecessary in children who are older than 1. At this age, children are expected to have a full/complete diet which may or may not include full cream fresh milk.
Fresh milk is the standard dairy recommendation for children older than 1 who are no longer breastfed, and the American Academy of Pediatrics actually recommends low-fat milk for ALL children (Except malnourished ones) older than 2.

As infant formula was originally designed to be a breastmilk replacement/alternative, children who have weaned naturally and no longer require breastmilk should not require formula either.

In most countries, formula sold is really only for babies 1 and below. It is only in countries like ours where the commercial demand is strong that formula manufacturers take advantage and try to create an even bigger demand through marketing, etc.

The average toddler formula is higher in calories than full cream fresh milk and this is not a good thing. These extra calories are usually from sugar and fat, not from any added 'special nutrients'. In fact, toddler and preschool formula is often the culprit in young children who are obese and who have poor diets. The typical caloric requirement for a toddler is 1000-1200 kcal/day and the majority of this should be coming from solid food. The recommended limit for dairy/milk intake for children older than 1 is 16-24 oz or 2-3 cups a day only. This means that a toddler taking 3 cups of milk a day will already consume 40-50% of his calories in milk, leaving 50% for food. Giving your child toddler formula almost always ensures that he/she will get more fat, sugar and calories than he/she needs.

Also, it is common for children who exceed the recommended milk intake to develop iron-deficiency anemia. This is because cow milk protein causes a little bit of bleeding in the gut and larger amounts of milk translates to bigger blood loss. Many parents don't know this but this is a common concern of well-trained pediatricians and is found in all our medical textbooks.

There is a lot more information available in books and online. If you look at the recommended Food Pyramid for children, you will see that there is no recommendation for formula here either.

Indeed, a lot of research has shown that formula (actually milk for that matter) is unnecessary in children who are older than 1. In fact, even Dr. Sears believes that milk is not necessary and experts generally believe that milk is just an easy and convenient source of calcium, protein, fats, vitamin D (if fortified).
Hopefully, Filipino moms will realize that we do not really need to purchase those formula milk to make our children healthy or smart. To be honest, being "panatag" (secure) is just an excuse to be lazy and not attempt to teach or encourage your child to have a healthy diet. As Dr. Zeka pointed out, there is no recommendation for formula in the Food Pyramid.


Furthermore, just because Nido claims to have less sugar (70g) doesn't mean it is better than the other brands or than regular milk for that matter. The 70g sugar is still extra sugar that your child will do without if you choose to give him regular milk or other foods to provide whatever "nutrients" s/he is supposed to get from Nido.
Whether or not you decide to include milk in your family's diet is your choice. But again, really, FORMULA MILK IS NOT NECESSARY. It is really high time for Filipino consumers to be educated and bust those formula milk myths.

*Dr. A.M. Francesca Tatad-To specializes in pediatrics and newborn medicine. She also serves as medical consultant to L.A.T.C.H.
*The opinion that toddler formulas are unnecessary is also shared by this American doctor.

Part I of this Post is here.

So called nutrition for Toddlers