Benefits of drinking milk for children
World School Milk Day is celebrated all over the world on the last Wednesday of September every year to celebrate the benefits and success of school milk programmes. The first World School Milk Day was celebrated in September 2000 and has since become an annual event which people can join in with.
In the UK, the history of the school milk scheme goes back over 100 years to the Provision of Meals Act which was first introduced in 1906. This recognised that the provision of school food would allow undernourished children to benefit more from their education. Another factor was that milk was a drink that could be provided to children to prevent poor nutrition to help with their development.
Milk is one of the best sources of calcium that children can consume. It helps to keep children’s bones strong and healthy. Calcium is also very important for children’s dental health and helps release hormones and other chemicals.
Milk is rich in calcium and phosphorus, which are crucial to tooth development and overall health of the teeth. One of the most vital proteins found in milk is called casein. It helps to form a thin film on the tooth’s enamel surface and helps to prevent the loss of calcium. Which means it helps to keep the teeth strong and healthy.
Healthy Teeth
It is especially helpful when children’s teeth may get exposed to the acids present in the mouth. Especially when eating sugary snacks. Many dentists will recommend your kid should drink only milk in between meals, in addition to water. This is because drinking milk does not cause any decay in the teeth.
Hydration
It is recommended that children should drink lots of fluids throughout the day to stay hydrated. Drinking milk is the best way to ensure children stay hydrated. It is especially important for your child to rehydrate after a strenuous workout or any physical activity. Drinking milk helps children’s bodies to recover after exercise. Milk is a rich source of calcium, which is good for developing strong bone structure in children.
How much milk should my child be drinking?
The amount of milk children should drink daily really depends on various factors like age and height. Here is a quick guide to let you know how much your child should be drinking:
Ages 1 to 2: As your child reaches the age 1 years old, you can eventually introduce cow’s milk in their diet. Kids of the age group 1 and 2 years need a high-fat diet for healthy brain development. At this age, you can make your kid drink around 4 cups of milk daily and it suggested that whole milk is best.
Ages 2 to 8: Children of the age group 2 – 3 years should drink at least 2 cups of milk each day. Children of the age group 4 – 8 years can drink 2.5 cups of milk
McQueens Dairies & The Nursery Milk Scheme
McQueens Dairies offer free milk as part of The Nursery Milk Scheme which entitles children under 5 years who attend a childminder or a nursery to receive free milk (1/3 pint (189ml) every day.
This is delivered straight to your doorstep before 7am and you will have on going support on how to claim via our nursery manager, Lynne.
To find our more information on the nursery milk scheme or to apply: click here.
