"Toddler milks," powdered drink mixes or formulas marketed for children up to age 3, are unregulated and unnecessary, according to a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics.In the report published Friday, the pediatrician group warned these older infant-young child formulas — known as OIYCFs — are not required to meet the same nutritional requirement as infant formulas.
"Unlike for standard infant formulas, the FDA does not have a distinct category of OIYCFs, and there are no US national or uniform international criteria for the composition or definition of formulas for children older than 12 months," the authors write.
Because of this lack of oversight, some of these formulas have been criticized for having "unnecessary or potentially detrimental" elements, the group says, including added sweeteners and higher sodium compared to cow milk.
These mixes can be found sold under an array of different names, from "transition formulas" to "weaning formulas" or "follow-up formulas."
If parents have concerns about their children's diet, however, they should consult a pediatrician or family doctor, Dr. Stephen Daniels, chair of pediatrics at Children's Hospital Colorado told KFF. Although picky eating sometimes worries parents, he said, it is common among toddlers.