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Milk and Toddlers

5 replies

jazzer2012 · 28/05/2013 22:37

I am a bit confused about what I should be doing with regard milk and
bottles with my just turned 17 month old little girl. She really loves her milk bottles and takes about 125 mls when she wakes up. She then will have a later breakfast about 1-2 hours later but will take, for example, a whole weetabix with milk. She nibbles at lunch (doesn't really eat a lot at all for lunch) but then has a bottle of milk about an hour after lunch (about 200 mls) before her nap.

She eats a really good dinner and then has a bottle of milk before bed (about another 200 mls) Is this too much milk? I read that about 500mls was about the right amount for a toddler but I keep hearing conflicting advice. She is a happy girl and I think gaining good weight going by her clothes sizes etc. although she is little but so am I. Also is it bad that she is still having a bottle at her age? She will drink water or milk from a beaker but not as much. She has never had a dummy and is only just starting to get her first tooth come through so the problems associated with prolonged bottle taking has never worried me to much until now. She also has a bit of breastmilk too before bed (because it helps settle her) but not a lot, mainly for comfort I think and she sleeps through the night 12 hours or so. Any advice please, should I be weaning off the bottles and cutting down on the milk? (she doesn't always take 500mls per day, this is prob the maximum amount she takes, some days less) My concern is that she will get dehydrated if I stop the bottles because she takes very little with the beaker.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Misty9 · 28/05/2013 23:30

I think if her appetite for solid food is still good (and believe me, a good breakfast and dinner is GREAT!) then don't worry about the milk. Re bottles, some will say it's time to ditch them but again, if it works for you and it isn't broken, don't try to fix it Grin
Sounds like she's doing brilliantly.

Misty9 · 28/05/2013 23:32

To add - have you been getting her used to teeth/gums being cleaned? I would if I were you as it's supposedly easier at a younger age to get them in the habit. Just rub the gums with a muslin over your finger to start, then move on to smearing toothpaste on a soft brush when a couple more teeth pop up.

racmun · 29/05/2013 00:04

My 2.9 ds loves his milk. He dropped his morning milk around age 2 but has 3 weetabix soaked in milk for breakfast.
sandwich and fruit or similar for lunch but then has a big dinner.
He still has approximately 500 ml of milk at bedtime. he just loves it and guzzles it whilst we read his stories before bed and then brush his teeth.

He's not at all fat, but is well built iykwim. I checked with the health visitor and she said as long as it doesn't affect his appetite then don't worry.

Seriously if she's eating ok and it works for you don't stress about it.

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jazzer2012 · 29/05/2013 21:48

thanks guys thats really helpful, i bought a toothbrush and paste for today
so the teeth brushing begins.... this is gonna be fun with a little one that wont sit still for a minute!

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JiltedJohnsJulie · 29/05/2013 22:58

The advice is actually 300 ml each day between 12 and 24 months but this is for children who have stopped bfing.

Its also advised to ditch the bottles at 12 months.

How about dropping one bottle and see how you get on for a couple of weeks?

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