Many parents usually feel anxious when their child won't or can't drink milk formula that is good for babies as this staple childhood beverage is known to be rich in nutrients that impact bone development and promote growth in general. Luckily, these nutrients can still be obtained from other kid-friendly foods and beverages.

You can compare Nutrition Facts labels and choose beverages that will provide calcium, protein and vitamin D for your child.

It is important to note that whole cow’s milk and whole, pasteurized goat’s milk fortified with vitamin D and folic acid are about the only suitable milks or milk alternatives for children that are less than two years old. Therefore, other milk alternatives, even if they are fortified, do not contain enough fat and protein to meet the needs of a growing toddler.

After the age of two, fortified soy beverage can be used as an alternative to cow’s milk.

Cow’s milk

Cow’s milk is a very good source of calcium, protein, and many other important nutrients. It can be introduced when a baby is 9 to12 months of age and he is eating a variety of foods that are high in iron. Continue to offer whole milk until age two because toddlers need energy to grow. You can switch to lower fat milk after age two.

Goat’s milk

This contains the same amount of protein, calcium, and vitamin A as that of cow’s milk and it also has the same amount of lactose as cow’s milk. However, goat’s milk is not recommended for infants younger than 9 months of age. But when it is whole, pasteurized and fortified with folic acid and vitamin D, it can be used as an alternative to cow’s milk for children less than 2 years of age. Please bear in mind that usually if a child is allergic to cow’s milk, then they will also be allergic to goat’s milk.

Almond beverage

You can get this in sweetened, unsweetened, and flavored. However, it is not a suitable milk alternative for kids less than two years of age because of its low fat and protein content.

Soy beverage

Soy beverage contains the same amount of protein compared to cow’s milk. It can also be purchased flavored, sweetened and unsweetened. It is not a suitable milk alternative for toddlers less than two years of age because of its low fat content.

Rice beverage

This is usually made from brown rice and can be sweetened and/or flavored. It is not a suitable option for children less than two years of age due to its low fat and protein content.

Hemp beverage

This is made from hemp seeds and it may be sweetened and/or flavored. Hemp beverage is not a suitable option of milk for children less than 2 years of age due to its low protein and fat content.