Experts recommend waiting until your baby's first birthday to introduce cow's milk. There are several reasons for this: Most important, a baby's digestive system can't digest cow's milk proteins. Cow's milk also has too much sodium, potassium, and chloride, which can tax your baby's kidneys.

Even if your baby's system could handle it, cow's milk doesn't have all the vitamins and minerals (especially vitamin E, zinc, and iron) needed for a baby's growth and development in the first year. Giving a baby cow's milk could even cause iron deficiency and internal bleeding. And it can increase the risk of an allergic reaction.

Once your baby's digestive system is ready to digest it, though, milk becomes a powerful ally. A great source of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin A, milk will build your toddler's bones and teeth and help your baby's body regulate blood coagulation and muscle control. Almost all milk is fortified with vitamin D, which helps the body absorb the calcium it needs.

Milk also provides protein for growth, as well as carbohydrates, which will give your child the energy needed to toddle all day. And if your child gets enough calcium from the get-go, there's evidence that he or she will have a lower risk of high blood pressure, stroke, colon cancer, and hip fractures later in life.

How much milk should my toddler drink?

Your 1- to 2-year-old child should drink 16 to 24 ounces of whole milk a day. While you may have to work to make sure he or she meets the requirement, keep in mind that it is possible for your child to drink too much milk.

If your child drinks more than two to three glasses of milk during the day, he or she may not have room at dinner for the other foods needed to round out his or her diet. (Your toddler needs plenty of iron-rich foods like leafy green vegetables and meat, for example, because milk doesn't contain iron.) So if your toddler's thirsty, get him or her in the habit of drinking water throughout the day, too.

Should I give my toddler fat-free or reduced-fat milk?

In most cases, not yet. While we adults strive to eat and drink lower-fat versions of our favorite foods, it's important that you start your child out with whole milk, not lower-fat varieties.
That's because your toddler needs the higher fat and caloric content for growth and development. In fact, for children under 2 years old, fats should make up about half of the total caloric intake for the day. Once your child has another birthday – and doesn't have any growth problems – you may decide to switch to reduced-fat or nonfat milk.

Possible exceptions: If you're overweight or obese, or have a family history of obesity, high cholesterol, or cardiovascular disease, your child's doctor may recommend starting with reduced-fat milk.

Related Items Cow's milk: When and how to introduce it Age-by-age guide to feeding your toddler Is it safe to mix formula with milk?