Hey there, super mummas! We know that life with a dairy free bub can be quite the juggling act. For real. Hopefully we can help you discover the best dairy free milk, yoghurt, and cheesy swaps, along with other fantastic ways to ensure your little one grows up healthy and strong. Let's make sure your dairy free babes get their daily calcium fix!
Why Calcium is Crucial for Babies and Toddlers
Calcium plays a pivotal role in the development of strong bones and teeth, blood clotting, and proper muscle and nerve function. Ensuring your dairy free bub gets the right amount of calcium is essential for their overall wellbeing. Luckily, it’s actually pretty easy to do.
How much calcium does my baby and toddler need?
Let's talk about how much calcium your mini me needs at various ages, from 6 months to 5 years. We'll keep it super simple for each stage.
- 6 to 12 Months: Around 210 mg of calcium per day. As they grow, they'll need more to build those strong bones.
- 1 to 3 Years: As your little one gets a bit older, you'll want to aim for 500 mg of calcium daily.
- 4 to 8 Years: Your active 4 to 8 year olds should be aiming for around 700 mg of calcium every day.
Don’t fret too much on these numbers though, if you offer a variety of foods throughout the day from the following 5 food groups, it’s pretty easy to reach calcium requirements.
- Veggies
- Fruit
- Dairy or dairy alternatives
- Meat, poultry, seafood, eggs and legumes
- Grains and cereals
How to choose dairy free foods for my baby and toddler
When it comes to shopping for dairy free goodies, remember these two tips:
- Keep an Eye Out for Fortified Products: Look for dairy alternatives that are fortified with added calcium. These are a fantastic way to ensure your bub is getting their daily calcium dose.
- Watch for Hidden Sugars and Salt: Being a calcium savvy shopper means keeping an eye on hidden sugars and salt in these products. Choose options with minimal added sugars and salts for a healthier choice.
Dairy Free Yoghurts for babies and toddlers
Here some good dairy free yoghurt options for your tiny tots:
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Cocobella Protein Vanilla Yoghurt Tub Link
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Cocobella Vanilla, Strawberry, and Mango Pouches Link
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Chobani Oat Yogurts link
Dairy Free Milk for babies and toddlers
Meet some dairy free milk options that are rich in calcium:
- Vitasoy Oat Milk (Link
- Chobani Oat Milk (Link)
- Pure Harvest Oat Milk (Link)
- Vitasoy Calci Plus (Link)
- Sanitarium So Good Chilled Regular Soy Milk (Link)
Other high calcium non dairy foods for babies and toddlers
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Fortified canned tuna and salmon
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Almond meal / almond butter
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Chia seeds
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Tahini
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White beans
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Broccoli
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Oranges
Sample dairy free day for babies and toddlers:
Here is what a day can look like for a dairy free bub or toddler. Adjust portion sizes and textures depending on the development and age of your little one.
- Breakfast: Weetbix, fortified oat milk and berries
- Morning Snack: banana rolled in chia seeds
- Lunch: Canned Tuna (in a sandwich with salad for toddlers), boiled egg, fruit
- Afternoon Snack: Almond butter and apples (for toddlers)
- Dinner: Chicken, rice, broccoli and carrots.
Boost baby and toddler meals with calcium
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Mix tahini and almond butter into almost any dish
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Sprinkle almond meal or chia seeds on top of almost any dish
Keep these foods on hand when preparing meals.
We understand that juggling life with a dairy sensitive child can be super hard and require some intense detective work. If you ever have questions or concerns, remember that your GP or paediatrician is just a call away.
Need more time in your life to juggle needy babies/toddlers, do the dishes, put away the pile of washing, have a cup of tea or coffee, play with your LO, clean the house, clean the house again, take a shower or just have 5 mins to yourself all while ensuring your bub has a healthy diet so they grow up strong and happy? Nourishing bubs provides convenience without compromising your bubs nutrition or health. Shop our range of baby purees, allergen exposure packs, toddler meals, toddler snacks and SO much more now. Reclaim some time back here!
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At Nourishing Bubs, we go beyond convenient and nutritious baby food recipes to support you in raising happy and healthy eaters. Our platform is your ultimate destination for infant food recipes and tips tailored to every stage of your child’s development. From starting solids with easy and nutritious baby food recipes to introducing allergens and fostering positive eating habits, we’ve got you covered. Explore our library of informative articles and discover our product range, including frozen baby purees for effortless mealtimes, allergen packs for safe exploration of common allergens, and toddler finger foods that encourage self-feeding. Whether you’re searching for creative baby food recipes or practical solutions, Nourishing Bubs is here to make feeding your little one stress-free and enjoyable.