When I stop BF ds, does he need to drink milk?

[Frayedknot]

I am still BF 19 month old ds once before bed, but thinking about dropping this in the near future.

He doesn't drink any milk during the day, just water, but eats a reasonable amount of dairy, usually cheese and yoghurt in some form every day, plus milk on his breakfast cereal.

If I drop the evening feed do I really need to replace with a drink of milk or will he be getting enough from his diet?

No need to actually drink milk as such if diet is good.

No, not necessarily. But he might like it. DS used to ask for a bfeed at bedtime (he made the sign for milk) - when he stopped feeding at nearly 17mo, he still made the sign, but wouldn't feed from me. So we gave him milk in a beaker and that's what he has. Some nights he doesn't want much, other nights he has loads.

He eats plenty of yoghurt, cheese, has milk on porridge, etc, so I'm not worried about his milk intake - but if he wants a drink of milk before bed, he can have one As long as he has clean teeth before he goes into his cot

He sometimes asks for it at other times in the day too now (he's 19mo too) - so he'll have a mid-afternoon cup of milk too sometimes. He's a total gannet when it comes to food though - if I thought it had an impact on his appetite, I'd probably cut back on it a bit.

Yes, I thought I would offer it before going up for his bath, but was concerned in case he doesn;t seem keen, as it will not be that long after his tea.

If he doesn;t go for it then mid-afternoon would be an alternative.

Thanks.