Toddler Formula
Once your little one turns one, feeding can sometimes feel more complicated. Toddlers are growing fast, often becoming pickier, and sometimes even going through phases where entire food groups are refused. With so many new solid food flavours and textures to explore, it can help to include something familiar in their diet to keep feeding time feeling safe and comforting.
That’s where toddler formula, sometimes called growing‑up milk, can make an improvement in a child's nutritional baseline. While not medically necessary for most healthy toddlers, toddler milk can be a helpful nutritional bridge when diets are inconsistent, dairy intake is low, or parents want extra reassurance that key nutrients are being met.
Toddler Formula vs Infant Formula
Infant and toddler milk are both types of formula, but their intended use is not the same. Here, we break down the difference between infant and toddler formula to help you understand when it's appropriate to use each.
Infant formula is designed for babies from 0-12 months of age, which can be the sole source of nourishment for the first 6 months of life and is meant to be included as part of a mixed diet with complementary foods from 6+ months of age.
Toddler formula, on the other hand, is intended for little ones aged 12+ months as a supplement to a varied diet based primarily on solids, and it cannot replace solid food meals. It's an optional stage that some families benefit from, but it is not necessary for all toddlers to consume.
Additionally, infant formula contains higher levels of specific nutrients needed for rapid early development, whereas toddler formula shifts toward supporting ongoing growth, bone health, and iron intake, assuming that solid foods now provide the majority of macro- and micronutrients.
Because of this, toddler formula should never be fed to babies under 12 months. Likewise, infant formula is generally not necessary for toddlers unless medically advised.
Which Brands Use Stage 3 or Stage 4 for Toddler Formula?
The important thing to understand is that any milk designed for children aged 12+ months is a toddler formula. That said, the stage number or product name can vary between brands and formula lines.
For some lines, Stage 3 is a “follow-on formula” intended for babies 10–12 months old, meaning it is not a toddler formula. However, Stage 3 can also be a “Growing-Up Milk”, “Junior Milk”, or “Kindermilch” designed for toddlers aged 12+ months. Stage 4, when available, is almost always marketed as a dedicated toddler product for children at least 1 year old, and sometimes 2 years old.
This staged approach is especially common among European formula brands, which typically organize their products into clear age-based stages. Because of this, European brands are far more likely to offer toddler formulas compared to North American brands, which tend to have fewer stages available overall.
Some of the most well-known brands that offer Stage 3 and/or Stage 4 toddler formulas include HiPP, Holle, Kendamil, and Nannycare.
Organic Toddler Formula vs Non-Organic, Non-GMO Options
Just like with baby formula, parents often wonder whether organic growing-up milk is worth it. From a nutritional perspective, both organic and non‑organic toddler milk formulas must still meet safety and nutrient guidelines in the markets where they are sold.
The biggest differences tend to be in ingredient sourcing and processing rather than the overall nutrient profile. Organic certifications focus on how ingredients are grown and sourced, meaning no synthetic pesticides, no GMOs, and stricter animal welfare standards for dairy production.
Some of the toddler formulas we offer may not be organic, but are GMO-free. Non‑organic, non‑GMO toddler formula options can still be an excellent source of nutrition, especially when they use natural ingredients and minimal processing, as with Nannycare, HiPP Kindermilch, and Junior Combiotik.
Ultimately, the choice between organic and non‑organic often comes down to family values around farming practices and ingredient sourcing rather than major nutritional differences.
Toddler Formula Types
Toddlers may have different nutritional needs depending on how well they eat solid foods, how they tolerate different dairy sources, and whether they have digestive sensitivities. Because of this, European toddler formula comes in several different varieties. We will explore the different options below.
Toddler Goat Milk Formula
Goat milk toddler formula is often chosen by parents whose children struggle to tolerate cow's milk but do not have a true milk allergy. Goat milk contains smaller fat globules and forms a softer curd in the stomach, which can make it easier for some toddlers to digest.
They also naturally contain A2‑type proteins, which are thought to be gentler on the gut for some children. This is because A2 toddler formula is not associated with the release of inflammatory peptides during digestion. Consequently, parents sometimes notice improvements in bloating, stool consistency, or overall comfort when switching to goat milk‑based toddler milk.
It’s important to note, however, that goat milk proteins are still similar to cow milk proteins, so children with diagnosed cow milk protein allergy should not use goat milk formulas unless directed by a healthcare provider.
Cow Milk Based Toddler Formula
Just like with the goat milk option, cow milk‑based toddler formulas are made to complement a toddler’s solid‑food diet rather than replace meals. These formulas still provide high‑quality protein, fats, and carbohydrates, but they are adjusted to reflect that toddlers now get much of their nutrition from food.
Because cow milk is widely tolerated and nutritionally complete when modified for toddlers, this remains the most commonly used base for growing‑up milks.
Best Toddler Formula Options: Organic's Best Top Picks
The best toddler milk is one that supports your family's specific needs best. Your little one's tolerance for the ingredients and your pediatrician's recommendations should always guide the final decision. Here are some of the widely used growing-up milks we offer.
HiPP Toddler Formula
HiPP offers several country-specific toddler formulas in different stages such as Hipp Stage 4 and in organic and non-GMO quality. The commonalities between all products are that they are based on skimmed cow's milk, use lactose as the only carbohydrate, include prebiotics, and have an age-adapted nutrient profile with lower protein and reduced saturated fat, alongside higher levels of key micronutrients such as vitamins C and D, iodine, and calcium.
HiPP UK Growing Up Milk is labelled as a Stage 3 toddler formula and is suitable from 12 months onward. This is the only EU organic option from the brand.
HiPP Dutch Junior Combiotik is labelled as a Stage 4 formula and is suitable from 24+ months. It is not certified organic but is GMO-free.
HiPP German Kindermilch is available in HiPP Stage 1+ for toddlers from 12 months of age and HiPP Stage 2+ for older toddlers from 24 months. Neither is certified organic, but both are proudly non-GMO.
Holle Toddler Formula
Holle offers some of the best organic toddler formula based on cow or goat milk and in different country versions.
Holle Cow German Stage 4 and Holle Cow Dutch Stage 4 are made with skimmed cow's milk and include starch and maltodextrin, in addition to lactose, to make the consistency creamier and more satiating. They also include plant-based DHA for brain development and a tailored blend of essential micronutrients, including iron for blood health and nervous system function, as well as vitamins C and D for immune support.
Their goat milk formulas, on the other hand, are based on whole milk, meaning they are palm oil-free and contain natural milk fats, which are important for your child's cognitive development. They also include gentle A2 milk proteins and are formulated with the same plant-based DHA, vitamins, and minerals as their cow's milk line. Holle Goat Global Stage 3 is the only lactose-only toddler formula, meaning it omits the starch and maltodextrin present in the other lines.
Kendamil Toddler Formula
Finally, there's Kendamil toddler milk, available in cow's milk and goat's milk bases, and in organic or non-GMO versions, depending on the product line.
Consistent features across all toddler formulas include whole milk with HMOs and MFGM, a 20:80 whey-to-casein ratio that naturally promotes satiety without relying on complementary carbohydrates, lactose as the sole carb source, plant-based DHA, and a palm-oil-free vegetable oil blend.
Kendamil Organic UK is the brand's only certified EU organic option. It is often cited in organic toddler formula reviews as one of the best options for families seeking clean ingredients. They also offer non-GMO cow's milk options in their Nature, Premium, and Classic ranges.
For alternative feeding options, Kendamil Goat Stage 3 is a great toddler formula for sensitive stomach little ones. It offers the brand's premium non-GMO quality and signature ingredients, but in a more easily digestible format, thanks to the gentle A2 goat milk proteins.
Answering Your Questions
Here are some of the most asked questions about Toddler milk.
When to Switch to Toddler Formula?
Most children can transition to toddler formula or whole milk after 12 months, once infant formula is no longer required. Infant formula should remain the main milk source until at least 12 months unless advised otherwise by a healthcare provider.
What is Toddler Formula Used For?
Toddler milk is meant to supplement nutrition, not replace meals. It can help provide consistent intake of iron, vitamin D, healthy fats, and calories during phases of picky eating or when dairy intake is low. Essentially, it helps the nutritional transition between infancy and toddlerhood, and some families prefer toddler formula vs milk for its added nutrients.
How Much Toddler Formula Per Day?
Intake varies depending on how much solid food and dairy a toddler consumes. Many toddlers drink between one and two cups per day, but some may drink more during growth spurts or illness. It’s best viewed as a complement to meals rather than a required daily target.
Can You Give Toddler Formula to Infants?
No, toddler milk does not meet the nutritional requirements of infants and should not be used as a replacement for infant formula or breast milk in babies under 12 months.
When Should You Stop Giving a Toddler Formula?
There is no strict age limit, but many families stop between ages two and three once children reliably eat balanced meals and drink regular milk or dairy alternatives. Others continue longer if dietary intake remains inconsistent.
Can You Mix Whole Milk with Toddler Formula?
It is generally not recommended to mix whole milk directly with toddler formula powder unless the manufacturer specifically states that it is safe to do so. Mixing can change nutrient concentration and may affect digestion. If transitioning off formula, it’s better to offer separate servings of whole milk and gradually reduce formula intake.
