Let them go to bed or not?

[Willthisworknow]

My dd2 whose 3.5 years is not a great eater. We got her off having too much milk in the night when she was 2.5 and she put on 5 lbs. she has been great but this year she's had a few viral infections so the milk intake has been increasing again but we've stopped her having more than a bottle. But she keeps saying she's tired and wants to go bed so she can have her milk an she's starting to look thin again. Would u let her go to bed withou eating anything and having her milk. She was tired tonight being at a party and out all day going on a long bear walk and so let her go to bed with milk but that's her woken up 2 hours later for more milk. She's obviously hungry.i keep offering water and a biscuit but...... Wish she would eat more!

[blueblackdye]

Poor you, it must be worrying. Have you talked to HV or GP about her not eating a lot but drinking milk instead ? At 3.5, she needs proper solid meals. Is she too tired ? Just like adults, I think when I am too tired I don't feel like eating, does she have very hectic days ? I remember paediatrician advising iron supplement on children if not good appetite. Of course, check with GP first, I m no medical expert, just a Mum sharing her thoughts with you.

[ianleeder]

My dd is the same. She has a small appetite. I always encourage food first then a drink afterward if she's hasn't eaten much. My dd is not a great fan of milk, she drinks about 3 small cups of milk a day. The rest is water or juice. I rather she increase on food intake so I offer a very small cup of water during meals and offer a variety of food or pudding. If I give mine a full cup of juice, she doesn't eat well. Back to your question, offer food first then milk. But if she's really tired then just give her milk and start again tomorrow.

[Willthisworknow]

Hi I have tried all the tricks in the book. I even referred us to the dr to check all ok but because she was putting weight on, albeit slowly, they werent worried. We try not to react but she's so strong willed shell cry for ages for milk. She's had a bad cough but tonight she went to bed saying she wasn't hungry but lo and behold, she's woken up saying she's hungry. Just given her toast, raisins and water but she's sobbing she wants milk. Have left her to it and said I'd go see her when she stops crying.... But it's really wearing!sigh

[Flowerpup]

Have you tried giving her dinner early? Maybe she'd be less tired at say 4pm then having a small supper at 7, toast & banana or similar and then milk if that's what she wants? Maybe buy a tub of toddler milk to fill her up before bed and to get some vitamins etc into her. Not ideal and I'm sure some people will disagree but just thought it may help. Hope you sort it out soon

[Willthisworknow]

Hi she's at nursery every day so has dinner at 4 pm but doesn't eat anything (they despair as much as me as her diet is limited!). I just give her more at 6 ish to give her another chance to eat. Would love if she had a banana but she only takes smoothies. Thanks all for the replies. I'm despairing as she had accepted one bottle at night but cannot believe we're back to were we were 1.5 years ago because we'd started to allow her to have a bottle and a half at night! Can't believe she'll be 4 in may! Think she still acts like she's 2!

[blueblackdye]

Re milk intake, DS had a large mug in the morning and another massive one around 5pm until he was 4.8yo, I measured one day the quantity of the mug, it was the size of a can, 330ml. So DS was taking in 660ml of milk a day, 2/3rd of a litre. And he was a good eater too. But he is my bag of bones, very strong, firm, slim body, not a gram of fat. I don't know if too much milk is bad at this age nor how much is too much ? Can you see GP again OP ? I really feel for you, can't give much advice but holding your hand.

[blueberryboybait]

My youngest brother suffered from something called milk anaemia, basically he wasn't getting enough nutrtion because he would rather fill up on milk instead. He was put on iron and vitamins and my parents were told to stop the milk apart from 1 small 125ml cup a day. He was always skinny and ill looking. it took about a month after the milk stopped for him to get back his rosy cheeks and fill out slightly. He was and even is now at 22, a skinny bag of bones bones but he was not so tired or pale anymore.

[ianleeder]

Sounds like she need to trust and enjoy food as opposed to milk. Try getting her to help with cooking, go food shopping, growing veg etc. invite some good eaters to your house for a play date and offer a variety of food to taste.. It's a start, It's a long process as she needs to enjoy food again so she doesn't rely on milk too much.

[Melonbreath]

Milky food? Spaghetti carbonara and the like?

[BarberryRicePud]

Just a thought but have you checked to see if she has massive tonsils? Can cause solids problems some times.

Otherwise I'd maybe try milky puddings or porridge after tea but otherwise limit milk. Very hard though.