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Behaviour/development

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Original poster

How much milk should a 2yr old be drinking?

30 replies

yousaidit · 25/01/2009 19:27

dd 2yr 2m and was drinking atall tomee tippee beaker of milk at breakfast and bedtime. however in past couple of weeks she pretty much ignores all milk in the morning and will drink about a quarter or half of her usual bedtime milk.

Is she getting enough milk? do 2yr olds usually still drink milk or have they usually given up and i'm molly-coddling her?

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BigusBumus · 25/01/2009 19:32

Both my sons stoped liking milk at about 18 months and won't drink it "neat" at all. BUT! I heat a large beaker full in the microwave and add a teaspoon or 2 of Cadburys drinking chocolate (the real powder, not instant) and they love it. I know its not great to encourage a liking for sweet things, but i figure that milk is important for bones and growth (neither are keen on yogurt or cheese)and its a good way to get them to drink it every day.

My step son would only drink Strawberry Nesquick as a toddler too.... but he's a strapping lad now.

moondog · 25/01/2009 19:35

They don't need it.
They can have it but not essentail.My ds never drank milk of any sort after weaning off breast at 11 months.

PeppermintPatty · 25/01/2009 19:41

My DD is exactly the same as moondog's DS, hasn't drunk a drop of milk since 11 months and she is fine.
I just make sure she has dairy from other sources (yoghurt / cheese etc).

Bertolli · 25/01/2009 19:41

i thought a pint a day of whole milk for toddlers was recommended. i'm sure someone told me that on here.

moondog · 25/01/2009 19:42

They don't need it.

BigusBumus · 25/01/2009 19:43

I thought it was a pint of whole milk between ages of 1 and 2 (if swapping from formula). After 2 it goes down to a half pint... i think....

BigusBumus · 25/01/2009 19:44

Or getting enough calcium from other dairy sources and things like sardines with little soft bones in!

BigusBumus · 25/01/2009 19:45

Or getting enough calcium from other dairy sources and things like sardines with little soft bones in!

Bertolli · 25/01/2009 19:45

i suppose as long as they are getting calcium from other sources they don't need it, it's just, for me, the easiest way of getting it down them!

BigusBumus · 25/01/2009 19:45

Or getting enough calcium from other dairy sources and things like sardines with little soft bones in!

BigusBumus · 25/01/2009 19:45

oops, what happened there????

pavlovthecat · 25/01/2009 19:48

oh dear, DD drinks around 2 pints of milk, most of it before she goes to bed....she wont stop it .

Bertolli · 25/01/2009 19:48

is that right BB? Only half a pint a day after 2? All my boys from 2.5 plus drink about a pint a day. Is that bad for them?

BigusBumus · 25/01/2009 19:52

I'm not an expert Bertolli, just what i heard ages ago and have worked with ever since. I will try and find some proper research to back i up. Don't think theres any harm in having more whatsoever!

Pavlov, is your DD still in nappies? It might be good to lessen her intake at bedtime ready for potty training if so? Otherwise getting dry through the night might be a bit of a mare!

Seona1973 · 25/01/2009 19:56

from 1 year the minimum recommended is 350mls which around 12oz. Bertolli, as long as the milk isnt putting them off their food then it should be ok for them to still drink it. The 350mls doesnt have to be in drink form as any other milk and dairy foods count towards that total too. My 2 year old has a small beaker in the morning and sometimes one in the evening (but not always). He gets the rest of his intake from other sources.

from babycentre: How much?

From one year, milk should still play an important role in your baby's diet, as it provides essential protein, calcium, magnesium and vitamins B12 and B2 (riboflavin). Your baby needs to have a minimum of 350ml (two thirds of a pint) of full-fat cow's milk each day. If he or she becomes reluctant to drink milk, try offering two portions of calcium-rich foods a day. Yoghurt, cheese, tinned mashed sardines, tofu, white bread and chick peas all contain calcium

from the food standards agency (they give 300mls as the minimum)

Children between the ages of one and three need to consume an average of 350mg of calcium a day. About 300ml milk (three?fifths of a pint) would provide this.

NewYearNewBaby · 25/01/2009 19:58

This link should hopefully help - it says 300mls of milk for 1-3 years old: www.eatwell.gov.uk/asksam/agesandstages/childrenandbabies/#A219842

BigusBumus · 25/01/2009 19:59

A quick look on Google says a pint for toddlers but doesn't specify exact age. Although it says after 2 semi-skimmed is fine.

The thing about lots of milk is aparently not eating enough of other snacks etc and using milk as a "food" rather than a drink, which can result in an off balanced diet and anemia. Bertolli do your boys eat loads of other foods too? If so, then they should be OK. (But again, i'm no expert!) xx

pavlovthecat · 25/01/2009 20:00

Bigus - she is potty trained completely in the day, but not at night. And you have got it in one, her nappies are soaking in the morning! We are attempting to reduce it at bedtime but given her a snack just before milk time, but it is working slowly! She has now started waking at night time to go to the toilet as she does not like going in her nappy and it is starting to wake her up...that is the main reason I think that much milk is too much! She eats plenty of food so not too bothered about the amount other than the night time peeing!

BigusBumus · 25/01/2009 20:01

Thank you Seona and NYNB! Thats much clearer! x

BigusBumus · 25/01/2009 20:05

Pavlov, what would she do if you just stopped giving her the milk at night one day? Would the tears at losing her milk be worse than the disrupted sleep? I would be firm and just give a small beaker and no more (if it were my child), but not knowing you and your DD only you can decide when to stop. Sounds like she's ready to stop having a nappy at night... would she understand if you explained that the milk makes her wee?

pavlovthecat · 25/01/2009 20:32

bigus - she screams the place down. You are right, the disrupted sleep is worse, but its an immediacy thing isnt it? We tried it for several days and she screamed and screamed. And of course, we gave in. It makes absolute sense to do it as you say. We keep saying 'tomorrow we will do it' and then her face breaks our heart [soft emoticon]! I am sure that if she stops drinking milk, or only has a small amount, she will be without a nappy in no time.
I am not sure she will fully understand that milk makes her wee, a bit young, but it certainly wont do her any harm to tell her.

I have just been talking about it with DH over dinner, and we agree, once she is over her illness, hopefully in the next day or two, we will give it a go.

Thanks for letting me hijack the thread yousaidit

llareggub · 25/01/2009 20:39

My toddler is a 2 pinter (semi-skimmed) and still breastfed. He is definitely bit of a milk fiend. He does eat, but I have worried that for him milk is a food replacement and I have toyed with the idea of cutting back on it. The trouble is he loves it, whatever form it comes in.

ohdearwhatamess · 25/01/2009 20:51

ds1 drinks at least 500ml (a pint?) per day of rice milk, sometimes nearer 1 litre.

Ds2 (11 months) only drinks about 300ml.

ohdearwhatamess · 25/01/2009 20:53

forgot to say ds1 is 2.9mo

Bertolli · 25/01/2009 21:13

Sorry for delay BB. Yeah, the boys do eat a good variety of foods actually. Am thinking i should maybe switch to semi-skimmed as not so filling??

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