What Can Your Toddler Have Apart From Breastmilk?

Team AckoFeb 8, 2024

It is good to breastfeed your baby as it increases the immunity of your baby and your baby remains healthy. Breastmilk has antibodies that help in fighting with many diseases. Some babies are breastfeed till they are one year old and some go beyond and continue to breastfeed till they are 2 or 3 years old.

But apart from breastfeeding, your toddler must learn to eat solid foods and also start either formula milk or cow’s milk for his proper growth and development. As long as your baby reaches at the age of 6 months he can start eating solids. So you can introduce solid food at this point of time so that your toddler can easily switch to solids and cow’s milk rather than clinging to breastfed milk.

What can your toddler have apart from breastmilk?

Feed your child when he is hungry and there is no particular count of feeding your child during the day. Many doctors suggest cow’s milk other than mother’s milk, once your baby is a year old. It is light on your baby’s stomach and is easy to digest.

Solids like porridge, mashed potato, boiled veggies and fruits, banana, boiled pulses can be given to your baby once he transitions to solids. This will develop your baby’s taste and he will easily switch to variety of foods other than breastmilk.

This will also help in the development of your baby and keep your baby’s overall development. You will also get more free time to do other chores other than breastfeeding every now and then. You can fill the gaps of hunger with breastmilk or else you can easily rely on solid food when it comes to your baby.

You can also give eggs in boiled form to your toddler and later on when he develops the taste for the same then you can continue making poached egg or omelette for him. You can introduce non-veg at a later stage when your toddler can chew food properly like fish or chicken.

What can your toddler have apart from breastmilk: Why cow's milk is recommended?

As doctors suggest cow milk has calcium, vitamin D, proteins and fat that is good for your baby’s development of bones and teeth. It can be easily digested by your baby and it is light on your baby’s tummy to keep him full for long.

Of course, there is no replacement of breastmilk but you need to give an alternate food supplement to your baby as you cannot give breastmilk to your baby all the time. So cow’s milk is a safe option for your baby’s healthy growth.

What can your toddler have apart from breastmilk: Important feeding tips for toddlers

You might be taking care of your toddler’s eating habits but you can make his feeding session more enjoyable by following these simple tips:

1. Give your child finger foods as this will make him independent and he will learn how to pick up food and feed himself. 

2. When you are trying out a variety of food for your baby then do check the allergic reactions that might be caused due to some food items. So just keep that in mind and be careful next time.

3. You need to be around your child every time he feeds on his own as there might be a case of choking if he eats a bigger chunk or by accident gulps it down without chewing. So avoid foods like popcorn, carrots, jelly beans, raisins and nuts.

4. Never force feed your child as this might lead him to get away from food and he will soon lose his interest. Give food to your child when he is really hungry so he enjoys eating food.

5. Never give large portions of food to your baby, give him smaller portions so that you can feed him variety of foods during the day.

6. Sit with your plate and eat with your toddler so that he can have your company and also he will learn to eat while looking at your eating habits.

7. You can also give multi-grain bread and cereals to your toddler and add up fruit pieces and veggies in them so that he can eat healthy. 

8. It is always a good idea to have a mutual consent between you and your baby about discontinuing breastmilk when he grows up. It keeps your toddler aware of what will happen next and he will be well prepared for this change. 

These simple tips will keep your toddler’s eating habits healthy and he will not have problem in switching from breastmilk to solid foods. You will also get relief from holding your baby all the time for feeding and you can get enough time to look after other things.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.