With nearly half the baby food sold in the UK being organic and the market set to grow further still, it is evident that many mothers are keen to give their babies an organic start in life. However, when it comes to taking the next important step after weaning, there is little advice available to parents on how to continue with an organic diet that is both nutritious and appealing to young children.

To help address this need OMSCo, has teamed up with nutritionist and State Registered Dietician, Sian Porter, to produce some easy tips on how to incorporate organic milk, cheese, yoghurts, and fromage frais into a child’s diet. Dairy products provide essential nutrients for growing children, who need two to three servings from this food group each day. Organic milk and dairy products are particularly good for children as they are naturally higher in Omega 3 essential fatty acids than non-organic milk, due to the cows’ natural diet which is high in fresh grass and clover.

According to Sian Porter, using organic milk is an easy choice to help maintain a healthy, balanced, organic diet - aim for a pint of milk a day. Sian says: “Many of the reasons that mothers choose to feed their babies organic baby food are still relevant when the time comes for growing children to join in with family meals.”

Sian, herself a mother, explains more: “With organic milk, parents can be confident that they are minimising exposure to chemical residues and associated health risks. Organic milk comes from cows that are not fed GM feed, and do not graze on pastures sprayed with artificial pesticides. These ten top tips have been created to show parents what choice they have and to suggest simple ways to prepare organic food that is tasty and fun.”

Top Organic Tips for Toddlers – by Sian Porter

1. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Use organic milk with their breakfast cereal and try organic yoghurts and fromage frais as a delicious topping – also good with fruit. Look out for organic kids ranges of fruit yoghurts or fromage frais!
2. British organic cheese makes an ideal in-between meal snack with savoury crackers or bread.
3. Give your child organic milk to drink. Milk is tooth friendly - ask your dentist! Try to keep drinks to meal times. Too many drinks will fill up your child, leaving no room for food.
4. All children like party food. Cube organic cheese and thread onto sticks with pineapple or grapes.
5. Remember, even with organic milk, children less than two years old should have full cream (silver top) as semi-skimmed milk doesn’t have enough calories. If your child is growing well then semi-skimmed milk can be given after their second birthday.
6. Skimmed milk should never be given to children under five years, as it is too low in energy (calories).
7. Organic milk costs more to produce so costs a little more to buy but it’s a small price to pay for the assurance it gives. The more you buy, the better value it is, so look in the supermarket for the four pint bottles which are handy and cost effective.
8. Warm organic milk makes a soothing bed time drink.
9. Try to include 2-3 servings of organic milk and dairy foods per day. These foods provide calories, protein, vitamins and minerals (especially calcium which is essential for healthy bones and teeth) and form one of the four key food groups that young children need to make up a healthy, balanced diet. They are also a good additional source of Omega 3 essential fatty acids.
10. Some milkmen can deliver organic milk to your doorstep. Contact your local milkman so your children can wake up to organic milk.

NB: remember – cows milk must not be given to babies under 12 months. They should be breast-fed or if this is not possible, given infant formula