When it comes to plant-based, non-dairy milk for kids who are lactose intolerant, have a dairy sensitivity, or are avoiding cow’s milk for another reason, the options are endless: almond, oat, pea milk, coconut, and many more. By 2028, the global plant-based dairy market is expected to reach $31.5B, and while demand continues to grow, what you may not know is that not all plant-based milk for kids is created equal. In this episode, I sat down with Lauren Abelin, co-founder of PlantBaby and Kiki Milk, an organic, plant-based milk for kids that is made with only whole foods and nothing else. Lauren has dedicated her life to researching and developing human-centered solutions to problems impacting mental and physical well-being. Lauren and I talk about whether or not kids need cow’s milk, why not all plant-based milk is the same, and how to make the best decision for your family. She also talks about her journey to grow the company, her commitment to transparency and pure ingredients, and what’s next for the brand. Welcome 2:08 Let’s talk about your story! 10:33 After the first year of life what are the benefits of milk for kids? 15:01 The Healthy Drinks, Healthy Kids guidelines state kids shouldn’t drink plant-based milk because it often lack key nutrition—what do you think? 18:08 Why has interest in plant-based milk for kids grown? 20:30 Is pea milk a good option? 26:05 Let’s talk about your journey to launching the company: what were the steps you took to get it off the ground? 30:00 What were the challenges you encountered that you were grateful for? 31:38 Can you talk about a call you took early on with another plant-milk company and what you learned from that experience? 35:32 Can you talk about new products you’re working on? LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW Lauren mentions this study in the journal Pediatrics that shows only 25% of babies are breastfed exclusively at 6 months. Julie talks about the Healthy Drinks, Healthy Kids guidelines. Learn more about Kiki Milk on their website. Follow Kiki Milk on Instagram. FROM OUR PARTNERS Kids Cook Real Food eCourse The Kids Cook Real Food eCourse, created by a mom of 4 and a former elementary school teacher, is designed to build connection, confidence, and creativity in the kitchen. The course includes 30 basic cooking skills, 45 videos including several bonuses, printable supply and grocery shopping lists, and kid-friendly recipes. The course is designed for all kids ages 2 to teen and has three different skill levels. More than 18,000 families have taken the course and The Wall Street Journal named it the #1 cooking class for kids. Sign up now for the Kids Cook Real Food ecourse and get a free lesson for being a “Food Issues” listener. Thrive Market Thrive Market is an online membership-based market that has the highest quality, organic, non-GMO, healthy, and sustainable products. From groceries, clean beauty, safe supplements, and non-toxic home products to ethical meat, sustainable seafood, clean wine, and more, Thrive Market is where members save an average of $32 on every order! Through Thrive Gives, every paid membership sponsors a free one for a low-income family. Join Thrive Market today and get 25% off your first order and a free gift.