5 Warnings About Giving Your Baby Almond Milk

Almond milk is a delicious low-calorie drink that adults and children can enjoy. What’s there not to love about a beverage made from almonds and water? Still, is it safe for your baby? While you’re wondering, here’s some information on when you can give a baby water.

The short answer is no, not if your baby is under one. The long answer is its nutrient density when compared to other choices still doesn’t provide the nutrition your baby or children require.

Warnings before giving baby almond milk before 1st birthday:

• Breastfeeding issues, such as refusal to latch
• Vitamin and mineral deficiency
• Failure to grow or gain weight
• Refusal to eat
• You may experience baby sleep problems

Can I give my baby almond milk and a snack at the same time?

Pediatricians often refer to switching or weaning from formula or breast milk to almond milk. Giving your baby almond milk at snack time shouldn’t cause a problem unless your baby has an allergy or you’re still exclusively breastfeeding. However, if it upsets your baby’s stomach then it’s possible your baby won’t sleep.

Before giving your baby almond milk or other beverages, you should consult with your pediatrician. Keep in mind that your baby’s doctor might advise you to wait if your family has a history of tree nut allergies.

In some cases, he or she might give the green light for almond milk as a snack time beverage. However, don’t introduce almond milk before the age of one without their go-ahead.

Are you giving your baby almond milk because of allergies?

Dairy allergies and intolerances are common, but giving your baby almond milk isn’t the answer. Perhaps your baby is lactose intolerant. Allergy and intolerance symptoms can vary, but gas, cramping, baby constipation, and diarrhea can occur with intolerance. Rashes, hives, and swelling can also happen.

It’s important to discuss these symptoms and your concerns with your pediatrician before giving your baby almond milk. If your baby shows signs of facial swelling or blood in their stools, you should call your doctor immediately.

For milder symptoms, your doctor might prefer to run tests or begin an elimination diet. Breastfeeding moms will also go on a special diet since the foods and drinks they consume pass into their milk. Once you and your pediatrician find the cause, they will recommend a proper course of treatment that will benefit your baby’s ever-growing needs.

In some cases, what you suspected was a dairy allergy could turn out to be something else. Your baby could have multiple food allergies or maybe your baby is lactose intolerant. Giving your baby almond milk could make finding the cause harder too if your baby has a reaction. Food and beverage could be unrelated to your child’s symptoms. It’s important not to attempt diagnosis on your own.

Can I give a toddler almond milk?

Almond milk is a fine choice for adults, and it could be for your older children too. Giving your baby almond milk over the age of one might still require you to supplement with other foods or vitamins. Be sure to ask your doctor or your baby’s sleep could be impacted by a very unhappy tummy.

How does almond milk help my baby?

Breast milk or formula are the best choices for your infant because they contain the nutrition your growing baby needs. Commercial almond milks might be fortified, but homemade varieties and some brands still lack many essential vitamins and minerals.

Keep in mind that the same applies to other plant-based milk alternatives. Their recipes address the needs of adults. Plant-based milks and beverages are not equal to formula, breast milk, or cow’s milk in terms of the nutrients. Some doctors still recommend additional supplements for children over a year old and into their teens because the fortified beverages still fall short.

Switching your baby to almond milk too soon will rob them of key nutrients that plant-based kinds of milk can’t compete with. You may want to refrain from giving your baby regular milk. It lacks the dietary fat, including saturated fat, your baby’s body and systems need to function and grow. Almond milk also doesn’t contain brain healthy fatty acids like DHA and ALA.

Protein can be another area where your baby won’t receive what they need. Breast milk and baby formulas contain multiple protein chains that your baby easily digests. Plant-based formulas will mimic this to ensure they provide your baby with a complete protein chain too. Giving your child almond milk can cause stomach upset because plant-based milk beverages don’t contain the gentle proteins your baby can digest.

Warning!

If you’ve ever walked down the dairy aisle, you’ve witnessed firsthand how many brands and varieties of almond milk exist. Many of them contain added ingredients that your baby doesn’t need. These ingredients range from added sugars and flavors to thickeners and preservatives.

Exercise caution and limit these types of almond milk to avoid baby sleep problems and other digestion issues.

If your baby is over a year old or you have your pediatrician’s permission, opt for unsweetened, unflavored almond milk.

Will feeding your baby almond milk impact his sleep schedule?

Absolutely! Feeding your baby almond milk can have an impact on his sleep schedule. But, unfortunately, many parents feed their baby almond milk without even considering that it may totally impact your baby for days to come.

Your baby’s diet will impact their sleep quality. Therefore, it is highly recommended to use this specific baby sleep schedule on nights your baby consumes almond milk.

Can almond milk cause your baby to have nightmares?

Some parents believe that the ingredients in almond milk may cause your baby to have nightmares. You might be just as surprised as us to learn how much almond milk impacts your baby’s sleep. However, there are ways to check if the almond milk ingredients are impacting your baby’s sleep. Check out that link to learn about the powerful impact almond milk has on your baby’s sleep.