Toddler won't drink milk

[mammamama]

Since my LO turned around 16 months he won't touch milk. He's now 22 months. He will only have it in cereal. I know it's not a major issue but I would like him to have a hot drink before bed to help him settle for bed as we are struggling to get him down before 9pm at the moment. Can anyone suggest a replacement drink that would do the same?

I have tried milk hot and cold, adding milkshake powder and adding Horlicks but he won't touch it.

Thanks!

I doubt its the lack of a hot drink causing sleeping issues. What do his naps look like and when does he get up in the morning?

They don't need to drink milk if they are having 2-3 portions of dairy per day.

I agree that a hot drink is unlikely to be the magic sleep bullet you're hoping it to be.

You could try a milk alternative soya milk or oat milk (oatly is very popular amongst the children I look after). Or a follow-on formula.

Yoghurt? Cheese cubes? I agree though if he's getting a decent bellyful of something fairly soon before bed unlikely milk itself is aiding sleep much

I'm not saying it will suddenly make him sleep l just think it would help him settle.

As much as I see your logic, if he's turning away milk, other than water there's not really an appropriate bedtime drink around - you don't want anything with sugar in it as that would not make him sleepy so adding milkshake power is rather counter productive!

If he doesn't like a drink at bedtime I'm afraid finding another one as pps said isn't going to be your magic bullet to get him to sleep. In honesty it won't make any difference.

What's really important at bedtime is to make sure that there's been calm down time with NO screentime for 2 hours before bed (the time you want him to go down). A nice warm bath and stories will do just fine you don't need a drink !

Unfortunately though many babies just don't want to go to sleep when you want them to ! Mine definately didn't and all my friends didn't do. So I think just make sure you have no screens and nice calm times and other than that you'll have to ride this phase out !