Anastacia Gencarelli, a mother from Canada, posted a story on Facebook in 2020 about her toddler experiencing severe anemia due to her milk consumption. Although the post has been deleted, it went viral and was shared on various platforms. Gencarelli recounted how her 2-year-old daughter, Mia, was initially diagnosed with a double ear and chest infection and was treated with antibiotics. However, Mia later became lethargic and stopped eating.
In due course, Mia was admitted to the emergency room. Following a comprehensive examination, medical professionals were astounded to ascertain that the little child’s entire blood volume was only 25% of the expected amount, despite the absence of any visible signs of bleeding. What could have caused such a substantial loss of blood in a young child without any apparent bleeding? Experts validated that Mia had contracted milk anemia, an uncommon but severe type of iron deficiency that may occur in toddlers who consume excessive amounts of cow’s milk and do not receive enough iron through their diets.
Milk-induced anemia is an infrequent occurrence, but it still prompts concerns about the appropriate amount of milk consumption for young children aged 1-2 years. Parents should be aware of milk-induced anemia and the recommended safe milk intake for toddlers.
What Is Milk Anemia?
Milk anemia, which is also known as iron-deficiency anemia (IDA), occurs when the body lacks sufficient iron to produce hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a crucial component of red blood cells, and when there are not enough of these cells, the body does not receive enough oxygen and vital nutrients.
According to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, consumption of cow’s milk may hinder the absorption of iron by the body. This can cause anemia when there is inadequate iron in the diet and excessive intake of cow’s milk. Additionally, consuming large quantities of cow’s milk without any iron supplements can cause intestinal bleeding in infants and older babies. This was the case with Gencarelli’s daughter, which resulted in severe blood loss.
Symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia might include:
- Excessive cow’s milk consumption (over 24 ounces per day)
- Pale skin
- Poor appetite
- Fatigue
- Swollen eyelids
- Rapid breathing
- Frequent infections
- Slowed development
- Behavioral problems
- Cravings for dirt, paint, or ice
How Common Is Milk Anemia?
Sahira Long, M.D., from Children’s National in Washington D.C., states that full-blown milk anemia is not common. Only a small percentage of toddlers, around 2% to 3%, suffer from IDA, while 7% to 9% of toddlers have a shortage of iron that could be due to milk consumption, as well as other factors like their iron intake.The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that all babies get their iron and hemoglobin levels tested between 9 and 12 months old, which usually occurs during the one-year check-up. If the levels of iron in your baby’s body are too low, the doctor may recommend modifying their diet and providing an iron supplement to raise the levels to a healthy range.
Dr. Long explains that although breast milk contains a low amount of iron, it is highly bioavailable which affects the absorption rate. Breastfed full-term babies usually have enough iron stores to meet their requirements until they reach 6 months of age, after which they require an additional source of dietary iron. Infant formulas, however, are commonly fortified with iron and can fulfill the iron needs of exclusively formula-fed babies for the first year of their life, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Long points out that babies who consume cow’s milk are more prone to developing intestinal blood loss due to a reaction with specific milk proteins. She clarifies that if a baby drinks cow’s milk before the age of 12 months, the probability of developing iron-deficiency anemia increases. Therefore, it is advisable to delay the consumption of cow’s milk until the baby’s first birthday. Although offering cow’s milk as a drink should be avoided before the age of one, introducing milk products such as cheese and yogurt can be done as soon as the baby starts eating solids at around six months.
Although milk anemia is not common, an issue that arises with consuming too much milk is its effect on a child’s diet. Milk can make a child feel full, and if a toddler drinks more milk than the recommended amount, there is a risk that it may replace other foods and the nutrients they provide. Consequently, a toddler who frequently drinks excessive amounts of milk may consume less of other nutritious foods because they are already full from cow’s milk.
How Much Milk Is Safe for Toddlers?
According to numerous pediatricians, cow’s milk can be a nutritious component of a young child’s diet, offering advantageous protein, fat, calcium, and vitamin D benefits. Nonetheless, if the child has a sensitivity, intolerance, or allergy, it could lead to milk anemia, which is why it’s essential not to overdo it. To avoid this, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has established safe daily cow’s milk consumption limits for babies and toddlers.
Recommended Milk Intake Limits for Kids
According to the AAP, the healthiest beverages for kids are plain water and milk. The AAP suggests the following daily limits for cow’s milk by age:
- Under 12 months: Breast milk or formula only (no cow’s milk)
- 12 to 24 months: No more than 16 to 24 ounces of whole cow’s milk per day
- 2 years and up: No more than 16 to 20 ounces of low-fat cow’s milk per day
According to numerous pediatricians, cow’s milk can be a nutritious component of a young child’s diet, offering advantageous protein, fat, calcium, and vitamin D benefits. Nonetheless, if the child has a sensitivity, intolerance, or allergy, it could lead to milk anemia, which is why it’s essential not to overdo it. To avoid this, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has established safe daily cow’s milk consumption limits for babies and toddlers.
What About Cow’s Milk Alternatives?
If you are thinking about replacing cow’s milk with other options for your child, Dr. Whitney Casares, a pediatrician and author from Portland, Oregon, warns that other types of milk can also lead to gut irritation and anemia. According to Dr. Casares, non-dairy alternatives such as soy milk and nut milks may not provide sufficient nutrition for children who are younger than one year old.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that cow’s milk alternatives can be given to children after their first year, especially for those who have a cow’s milk allergy. However, not all non-dairy milk options are nutritionally equivalent. Dr. Casares advises parents to scrutinize the labels of non-dairy milk products they intend to give their child. This is because such milk may have lower protein and calorie levels compared to cow’s milk. Parents should also make sure that the non-dairy options they choose contain calcium and vitamin D, and are not fortified with added sugar or sweeteners.
It is important to have a conversation with your child’s doctor to ensure that they are receiving the necessary nutrients, whether choosing to substitute cow’s milk with other options is a matter of preference or necessity.
Read more: Age-Old Debate: Is There a Limit to How Long You Should Clean Your Kid’s Room?
