Is it OK for my toddler to drink raw milk?

Written by Jill Castle, MS, RDN

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), young children who drink raw, unpasteurized milk and foods made from raw milk, like cheese and ice cream, are at risk for severe illnesses like stomach cramping and prolonged diarrhea. In extreme cases, kidney failure, paralysis, and death can occur from bacterial infection related to consuming raw milk. Young children whose immune systems are not fully developed are more susceptible to infection and illness from raw milk.

Reviewed by Dr. Sara Connolly, September 2020