Can babies drink almond milk?

Written by Sara Connolly, MD, FAAP, Board Certified Pediatrician

Is almond milk appropriate for a child’s diet? Almond milk, like soy milk, is becoming increasingly popular and is found on almost all grocery store shelves. It’s used in much of the same ways that cow’s milk is used. In particular, vegan parents, who don’t consume any animal or dairy products, and parents of children with milk, protein, or soy allergies may wonder if almond milk is a good idea for their children.

How does almond milk compare to cow’s milk?

Almond milk, like cow’s milk, is a great source of calcium and vitamin D. However, it falls short on protein, good fat, and total calories. For these reasons, it’s not a good option for children under one year of age. In addition, almond milk is not manufactured to the standards of infant formula, so it lacks other nutrients found in formula. For vegans, breast milk or soy formula are the only options to feed a child under one year of age.

At what age can I introduce almond milk to my child?

Once your child is 1 year old and is eating a wide variety of food, almond milk is a great source of calcium and vitamin D. However, it does still lack in protein, so it’s only appropriate for children who are consuming other sources of protein, total fat, and enough calories.

Is almond milk dangerous for children with nut allergies?

For parents who are using almond milk, keep in mind that almond milk is made from almonds, and therefore children with nut allergies should not be given almond milk. Likewise, if you’re preparing muffins or cookies that you are going to share with other children, always inform the parents of those children that the product contains almond milk, or it can result in a catastrophic allergy.