Mumsnet Talk

I weaned DS off bf when he was about 14 months old and since then he has refused to drink cows milk. He's not allergic or intolerant (lots of allergies on my side so tests have been done), but he just takes a few sips and flings the offending cup away. He has a healthy varied diet and is a very good eater (lots of fruit, veg and fish). I try and give him lots of calcium in his diet - cheese, cream cheese, sardines, yoghurt(which he's a bit meh towards). But what should I do about getting him to drink his morning and night cup of milk? Should I offer a toddler/growing up milk? DP says he'll come round to milk in his own time but I worry about his calcium intake. I think he misses bfing as occasionally he'll assume the bf position and pat my boobs or try and get me to lift my top up.

I've tried offering it in different cups and sippys but he refuses them if they have milk in. He now drinks (water) out of a tea cup by himself (very proud mummy!)

Sorry this post turned out to be so long, but I'd appreciate any advice.

I recently stopped bfing my 18mo and have a similar problem. Cheese and yoghurt also count. Would he be more willing to drink the milk if it was in the tea cup?

Oh sorry I've just seen that you've tried different cups.

Is it the taste he doesn't like? Have you tried different temperatures?

Tbh if he's eating cheese yogurt and custard etc and has lots of dairy in his diet he really doesn't need to drink straight milk. U can get it into him in other ways

Yep tried offering milk in the cup but he refuses, clamps mouth and flings it away and tried it cold, room temp, warm and it gets a short shrift each time. I'm not sure, it might be the taste but he loves other dairy. I'm a bit worried he's still holding a grudge against me for stopping bfing.

That's mad right?? They can't bear grudges?!?

Yes, mad

He might just not like milk. I can't bloody stand the stuff as a drink. Disgusting texture and taste. Don't worry too much about it if he's getting sufficient calcium elsewhere.

You could always try different types of milk. Like almond milk? Im pretty sure that counts. But don't take my word on that!

Will he have milk on cereal?

My DS has refused to drink milk since I stopped BF at 13m. I decided not to worry about giving it as a drink and just try and include a calcium rich food at each meal - he likes milky porridge at breakfast & cheese sauce etc. seems to be healthy enough (fingers crossed)

If he doesn't like milk, then I just wouldn't offer it tbh. Theres a lot of calcium in cheese etc, so if he's having milk on cereal or in porridge at breakfast, some cheese in the day, maybe custard with pudding if you feel like it, thats loads

My dd wouldn't drink milk after weaning, though ate loads of other dairy. She started liking cows milk when she was 4 and now often asks for it as a drink, she's 6.

I don't think it matters as long as you are a bit careful about the calcium, which you are. My dd loved cheese sauces, toasted cheese and yogurt at that age, still does.

Hi all. Thanks everyone for the reassurance. I was just getting worried by the guidelines on how much milk they should be having and the cow and gate adverts and what have you. I'll just try offering it when he's older and try and be less mad in the future.



strains ear to hear DS plotting his revenge for lack of breast milk