Short answer…no.

You may have heard that your baby needs a “replacement milk” after 12 months, but this is simply not true.

Up until 12 months of age, breastmilk or infant formula should be your baby’s primary source of nutrition.¹ But what happens next?

For breastfeeding families

If you are breastfeeding your 12-month-old, you can continue to do so alongside offering solid foods for as long as you and your child wish. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding until at least two years of age and beyond.² However, we understand that this isn’t always possible, and some mothers (or children) may decide to wean earlier—which is completely fine. If you do wean your baby after 12 months, there is no need to introduce a replacement milk.

For formula-fed babies

If your baby has been formula-fed up until 12 months, you can now begin the weaning process. There is no need to transition to “toddler formula” or swap formula for cow’s milk.

So what should my little one be having?

From 12 months onward, healthy toddlers should be encouraged to transition to a balanced whole-food diet that aligns with family meals. Water should be the main drink offered, along with breastmilk for those who continue to breastfeed. Including cow’s milk (or any milk of choice) as a drink from a cup can be part of a balanced diet. Toddlers should be encouraged to eat with family members to support their development and exposure to a variety of foods.

Toddler formula – beneficial or unnecessary?

The marketing on toddler formula has most parents thinking that it could only be beneficial for their little ones, however this marketing is grossly misleading.

Toddler formulas, also known as toddler milks, are ultra processed products marketed as a follow-on from breastfeeding or infant formula. Globally, it is a multi-billion-dollar market and growing fast. From a nutrition perspective, they are not required. Compared to regular cow’s milk, toddler formula is significantly more expensive (costing roughly 4–5 times more), lower in protein, higher in sugar, heavily processed, and may contribute to fussy eating.³ ⁴

Global health authorities, including the WHO and Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council, do not recommend toddler formula for healthy toddlers.⁵ ⁶ If you would like to continue offering formula to your child after 12 months, it is absolutely fine to continue on their infant formula whilst you wean them. Infant formulas are much more heavily regulated and will still offer nutritional benefits to your toddler as they wean.

What if my child and I would like to continue with a bottle for comfort?

If you’re not quite ready to stop bottles at 12 months, that’s okay! You can gradually reduce the number of bottles throughout the day while leaning on other comfort methods like extra snuggles, kisses, songs, bedtime stories, or gentle rocking.

If you’d like to introduce other milks—such as cow’s milk, goat’s milk, or plant-based alternatives like nut or oat milk—these are best offered in an open cup or straw cup rather than a bottle. While nut and oat milks don’t provide much nutrition, they can still be a source of comfort and routine.

There’s no rush—when you and your little one are ready, you can gently transition away from bottles in a way that feels right for your family.

What if my toddler isn’t eating enough?

We understand that feeding toddlers can be challenging, and some eat more than others. If your child has a limited appetite or you’re struggling with fussy eating, there are many potential reasons. Seeking guidance from a health professional—such as a GP, dietitian, paediatrician, occupational therapist, speech pathologist, nutritionist, or naturopath—can be helpful. If you would like to book an appointment with one of our experts, you can do so HERE.

If you want to know more, tune in to episode 114 of Boob to Food the Podcast – Does my child need cow’s milk or toddler formula?

Disclaimer: This information is general in nature. In some cases, a health professional may recommend supplemental milk feeds for specific medical or nutritional needs.

References:

1. Australian Breastfeeding Association, Wondering how long to keep breastfeeding? 2022, https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/wondering-how-long-breastfeed, accessed 23/2/25.
2. World Health Organisation, Infant and young child feeding, 2021 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding, accessed 23.2.25.
3. ABC News, Norman Swan, Toddler milks are marketed as beneficial, but they’re unnecessary and could be harmful, March 2024, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-12/toddler-milk-nutrition-benefits-marketing-parents/103517864 accessed 23/2/25.
4. Cowbrough, Kathy. (2010). Feeding the toddler: 12 months to 3 years–challenges and opportunities. The journal of family health care. 20. 49-52.
5. WHO Guideline for complementary feeding of infants and young children 6–23 months of age. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
6. National Health and Medical Research Council (2012) Infant Feeding Guidelines. Canberra: National Health and Medical Research Council.