What type of milk should you give to children?

If your child is between the age of one and two, you should give him/her whole milk. Young children need the extra energy, fat and vitamin A in whole milk compared to lower fat varieties, which are important for growth and development. 

From two years onwards, you can begin to introduce semi–skimmed milk, provided your child is eating and growing well. 

Skimmed milk and 1% fat milk are not suitable as main drinks for children under five. 

Only breast milk or formula milk should be given as a main drink to children under one. Cow’s milk does not contain the right balance of nutrients to meet a baby’s needs at this age. After six months, cows’ milk can be used for cooking, for example to make a cheese sauce, and can be introduced as a main drink when your baby is a year old if you wish.

For more information see Dairy through life