One-third of caregivers serve “non-recommended” milk to infants and toddlers

06 Aug 2021 --- Over one-third of infant caregivers reported serving at least one type of non-recommended milk like toddler milk or plant-based milk to their infant in the past month.

This is according to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. The study results indicate an opportunity for public health education campaigns and additional guidance from healthcare providers.

These initiatives would evaluate potential nutrient deficiencies, dehydration and undernutrition when replacing breastmilk (or commercially prepared infant formula) with cow’s milk or plant milk to infants.

Eyeing infant formulas
Researchers surveyed US primary caregivers of infants (six to eleven months), infants in transition (twelve months) and toddlers (thirteen to thirty-six months) to assess the prevalence of non-recommended milk beverages.

Approximately two-thirds of caregivers reported serving the types of milk that experts recommend for their infant or toddler, including breastfeeding and serving commercially prepared infant formula with no other milk type to infants and serving cow’s milk to toddlers.Infants fed plant or cow milk instead of breastmilk, or commercially produced formula are at risk of nutrient deficiencies.

However, some toddler caregivers did not follow expert recommendations to provide only cow’s milk to their children.

These non-recommended milk products were accessed in place of and in addition to recommended milk-based products that include infant formula and cow’s milk.

This week, the US Food Labeling Modernization Act targeted the marketing of toddler milks, which have been the subject of a major marketing push over the last decade. However, experts recommend that children under the age of five only drink breast milk, infant formula, water and plain milk.

Contributing factors
The researchers also found that aspects such as the child’s age, household income and the racial and ethnic background of the caregiver influenced the type of milk children will consume.

This suggests that more research is needed to understand how diverse populations interpret product claims.

“It’s important to note that infant formulas are not inherently bad. We are glad this product exists for moms who cannot breastfeed. But the public should have all the information so they can make an informed decision about what is best for their baby,” adds Romo-Palafox. 

By Nicole Kerr