Frequently Asked Questions
When can I start introducing dairy into my baby’s diet?
Registered Dietitian and mom, Cara Rosenbloom, tells her clients they can begin to introduce small amounts of dairy to their child’s diet starting at nine months. She suggests using yogurt with no added sugar, or small servings of shredded or cubed cheese. She reminds parents that it’s important to use full-fat (3.25%) yogurt since infants require fat for optimal growth and development.
How much dairy should be included in a toddler’s diet?
It’s recommended children in their toddler years – ages one to three – have two servings of dairy products each day (one serving = one cup of milk; ¾ cup yogurt; 50 grams cheese). Yogurt is an extremely nutritious food and an excellent dairy option for toddlers. It’s a source of calcium and contains active bacteria cultures which help to maintain a healthy gut, and may protect against asthma, eczema and other allergic diseases.
Toddlers need dairy products with higher fat contents than adults to help with proper growth and development.
What is DHA?
DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid that comes from several sources but fish and algae are the most common.
What are the benefits of DHA?
According to Health Canada, DHA is the primary omega-3 fatty acid present in the brain and retina. It is critical for the optimal development and function of the brain, eyes and central nervous system during childhood. Some of the additional reported benefits of DHA include:
- Increased visual activity during infancy
- Improvements in mental development
- Improved problem solving skills
- Sustained attention
How much DHA does my child need?
There isn’t an official recommendation for DHA in children; however, most experts recommend at least 100 to 150 milligrams of DHA for children each day.
How can I make sure my child has enough DHA?
There are a variety of foods specially made for children with added DHA. For toddlers, some of the best sources of DHA include:
- Omega-3 enriched eggs
- Yogurt – like Li’L Ones®
- Breads fortified with DHA
- Milk or soy milk fortified with DHA
- And some fortified juices.
What makes Li’L Ones® different from other children’s yogurt?
Li’L Ones® is the only children’s yogurt with no added sugars, artificial colours, flavours or gelatin. It’s sweetened with fruit juice and is available in a variety of child-friendly flavours including apple, vanilla, banana, apricot, grape, pear and blueberry.
Who makes Li’L Ones®
Li’L Ones® yogurt is made by Dairyland®. For more than 90 years, Dairyland® products have consistently delivered new and wholesome dairy ideas to meet the needs of families. From nutritious milk produced by local farmers to creamy yogurts, cottage cheeses and creams, Dairyland® products focus on great taste, nutrition and freshness.
