Pea Milk

Can babies have pea milk?

As an ingredient, yes, from around 6 months. Use a splash in oatmeal, mash or baking, the same way you’d use cow’s milk in cooking. As a drink, not before 12 months. Breast milk or formula is the drink in the first year, and the CDC says milk alternatives shouldn’t be given as a drink before then.^[1]

From 12 months, unsweetened pea milk fortified with calcium and vitamin D is one of the few plant milks with protein close to cow’s milk: about 8 g per cup, similar to dairy and soy. That makes it a common choice for families avoiding both dairy and soy. Talk to your pediatrician before making it the daily milk, though. Fortified soy milk is the only plant milk considered nutritionally equal to cow’s milk, and other plant milks shouldn’t fully replace dairy without a doctor’s input.^[2][3][1]

Choking risk

Pea milk is a thin liquid, so it is a low choking risk.

If it goes in a cup from 12 months, make it an open or straw cup rather than a bottle. See how to serve for age-by-age use.

Allergens

Pea milk is not one of the nine major food allergens, and it's free of dairy, soy and nuts - which is exactly why it's popular in allergy households. A true pea allergy is uncommon but does occur.^[5]

Start with a small amount and watch for a reaction.

Food safety

No plant milk can replace breast milk or formula in the first year, and the CDC says milk alternatives shouldn’t be given as a drink before 12 months. From age 1, choose unsweetened and fortified versions. Sweetened and flavored ones have added sugar, which isn’t recommended before age 2.^[1][6]

If pea milk is replacing cow’s milk because of a milk allergy, ask a pediatrician or dietitian to check that the rest of your child’s diet provides enough fat, vitamin B12 and iodine. Fortification varies by brand, and a toddler’s main milk does a lot of nutritional work.^[3]