Milk is a fantastic source of calcium, especially for bone health, but did you know that drinking too much can potentially cause fatigue in toddlers? 😴
It is recommended that children >12 months of age drink less* than 500mL (~2 cups) of milk per day! Here’s why:
1. Decreased appetite: Drinking too much milk can fill up little tummies, leaving less room for solid foods. This can make it difficult for them to achieve the right balance of macro and micronutrients, potentially causing bedtime or overnight hunger, disrupting sleep patterns, and contributing to fatigue. This is supported by a 2022 study indicating that increased milk consumption was associated with a shorter sleep duration 🌙🍴
2. Disrupted sleep: Toddlers can get into a routine of snacking on milk day and night. This can lead to an increase in overnight wakes, contributing to fatigue. Tip: Try serving milk with* meals rather than between meals, and offer solid foods at meal and snack times instead 🥛🍌
3. Iron deficiency: Excessive milk consumption can hinder their appetite and intake of iron-rich foods, potentially leading to iron deficiency (anaemia) and fatigue. This is particularly common in children aged between 9-24 months. The recommended dietary intake (RDI) for iron for children aged 1-3 years is 9mg/day 🥩🍞🥬
Here’s an example of what 9mg of iron looks like in a day: 2 eggs + 1 slice wholemeal bread + ¼ cup cooked spinach + 1 small can baked beans + ½ cup cooked brown rice + 50g lean beef mince + 1 cup cooked pasta 🍝
By keeping an eye on how much milk your toddler is drinking, you can help ensure they get the nutritional benefits of milk without compromising their energy levels and intake of solid foods 🍼✨
Information shared in this post is general and should not replace individualised advice from a health professional.