Toddler milk: what the AAP and FDA say

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the FDA both say toddler milk is generally not necessary for children over 12 months. This post summarizes what US official sources say about toddler milk, as of October 2026, and adds no advice of its own.

The sources are three American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) pages, its announcement of a 2023 clinical report on these drinks, its recommended drinks for young children and its page on formula versus cow's milk, plus the FDA's infant formula information for parents and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025 to 2030.

What counts as toddler milk

Toddler milk goes by several names, and the sources use them interchangeably.

The AAP's recommended drinks page describes toddler milks as often marketed by formula companies as "next stage" or "transitional" products to wean from breast milk or formula. The AAP's clinical report announcement adds "follow-up formulas", "weaning formulas" and "toddler milks and formulas", and says the report reviewed drinks aimed at children ages 6 to 36 months. The FDA calls them drinks for young children, often marketed as "toddler formulas".

The AAP's clinical report itself is titled "Older Infant-Young Child 'Formulas'".

What the AAP says

The AAP's position is that toddler milk is unnecessary for most children.

Its recommended drinks page says toddler milks are unnecessary, and that for most children they provide no nutritional advantage over a well-balanced diet that includes breast milk and/or cow milk. It says they are also more expensive and contain added sugars, which can fill up a baby's stomach so they are not hungry for healthier foods.

The clinical report announcement says these drinks are generally unnecessary and nutritionally incomplete, and that the marketing practices that promote them are questionable. It quotes the report's lead author saying they should not replace a balanced diet, are inferior to standard infant formula in children less than 12 months of age, and offer no benefit over much less expensive cow's milk in most children older than 12 months.

The same page says these drinks can safely be used as part of a varied diet for children, but do not provide a nutritional advantage in most children over a well-balanced diet that includes human milk or cow milk.

What the FDA says

The FDA's position matches the AAP's on necessity, and adds two points about babies and review.

The FDA's information for parents says drinks marketed as "toddler formulas" do not undergo premarket review by FDA and are generally not necessary to meet the nutritional needs of children over 12 months of age.

It also says babies younger than 12 months of age should not be fed these products, as they are not designed to meet their nutritional needs.

The AAP's announcement makes the same distinction from the other side. It says infant formula in the US has been reviewed by the FDA under the Infant Formula Act, and that, as of 2023, the US had no regulatory oversight to ensure formulas for the toddler age group adhere to any set of uniform standards.

What the sources say to give instead

The Dietary Guidelines and the AAP point to plain milk after the first birthday, alongside food.

• The Dietary Guidelines. The 2025 to 2030 guidelines say that if you feed or supplement with infant formula, stop at 12 months of age and give whole milk. They also say to avoid added sugars during infancy and early childhood.
• The AAP's clinical report. The announcement says that for toddlers, caregivers should provide a varied diet with fortified foods. It says the AAP supports continued breastfeeding for 2 years or beyond if mutually desired, and that if a baby is not breastfed, the AAP and others recommend whole cow milk from 12 months as part of a nutritionally complete, balanced diet.
• The AAP's drinks page. The recommended drinks page calls water and plain milk the best-choice beverages.

Where the sources differ

The sources agree on toddler milk. They differ on which plain milk to give at 12 months.

The Dietary Guidelines say whole milk. The AAP's recommended drinks page says children 12 to 24 months are advised to drink whole milk, but the same page also says that at 12 months you can start giving whole or reduced-fat milk. The AAP's page on formula versus cow's milk says whole vitamin D-fortified milk is recommended for most children after their first birthday, and that a pediatrician may recommend reduced-fat (2%) milk for some children.

Which milk fits a particular child is a question for your pediatrician.

When a child may need something else

The AAP separates toddler milk from formulas that a doctor prescribes.

Its announcement says medical or therapeutic formulas are indicated for a variety of conditions, including chronic gastrointestinal diseases, metabolic disorders and food allergy, and that these prescribed formulas are different from toddler "formulas". It also says some children have special nutritional needs, and that families should ask their pediatrician to evaluate whether a child is getting all the nutrients they need.

The FDA's page ends the same way: consult your child's health care provider with questions.

How current each source is

The AAP's clinical report announcement was last updated October 20, 2023, and says the report appeared in the November 2023 issue of Pediatrics. The AAP's recommended drinks page was last updated October 3, 2023, and its formula versus cow's milk page on April 22, 2024. The FDA's page was current as of February 26, 2026. The Dietary Guidelines cover 2025 to 2030.

For the rest of what the Dietary Guidelines say about the first years, see our summary of the guidelines for infants and toddlers.

Common questions

Is toddler milk the same as infant formula?

No. The AAP says infant formula in the US is reviewed by the FDA under the Infant Formula Act. The FDA says toddler formulas do not undergo premarket review and should not be fed to babies younger than 12 months. The AAP asks that marketing make a clear distinction from infant formula and that toddler drinks not sit alongside infant formula on store shelves.

Is toddler milk harmful?

The AAP's announcement says these drinks can safely be used as part of a varied diet, but do not provide a nutritional advantage in most children over a well-balanced diet that includes human milk or cow milk. Its drinks page notes they contain added sugars and cost more.

What if my pediatrician recommended a formula for my toddler?

The AAP distinguishes prescribed medical or therapeutic formulas, used for conditions such as food allergy or metabolic disorders, from toddler "formulas" sold for general use. The AAP says some children have special nutritional needs, and that it is always best to check with your pediatrician.

Does this replace my pediatrician's advice?

No. The FDA says to consult your child's health care provider with questions, and the AAP says to ask your pediatrician to evaluate whether a child is getting all the nutrients they need.

The short version

The AAP and the FDA both say toddler milk is generally not necessary after 12 months, and the FDA says it should not be given to babies younger than that. The Dietary Guidelines and the AAP point to plain milk and a varied diet after the first birthday, and your pediatrician can say which milk fits your child.