Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

How much milk for a 2 year old?

14 replies

silverphotoframe · 16/09/2013 22:39

I still give my 2 year old DD milk as her main drink (the other being water). She still has a bottle of milk before bedtime.

She has had some minor issues with eating - sometimes she'll eat like a horse, other days she'll just graze on small amounts. But I think she is a good weight etc.

However my ex is of the opinion that she drinks too much milk and that this is the cause for her days of not eating so well. He had her over the weekend and when he brought her back he announced quite proudly that he had not given her any milk at all and that she had subsequently eaten much better than usual (although what he told me she eats like this quite often on her "good" days even when she's had milk). He told me that he thinks that I should stop the bedtime milk and also not give her so much during the day. I am of the opinion that she needs the milk for her growing teeth and bones etc. Obviously I understand that drinking too much can quell an appetite for food but I really don't think that she drinks that much , nor that she does'nt eat enough. I am concerned that she won't be getting any milk at all when she is with her dad.

I was wondering what others take on this was and to see how much other people give their toddlers milk during the day.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
DairyleaAddict · 16/09/2013 22:43

My toddler is 23 months and milk is still his main drink. Like yours, my DS has days where he will eat lots and days when hardly anything. He still gets a bedtime bottle and likes the comfort of milk. I wouldn't worry if she is still eating a wide variety of foods.

roweeena · 16/09/2013 22:46

My 2yr old (just turned) only has milk before bed, a cupful, sometimes two (and that is bedtime rountine habit really rather than need). He has been like that since was 13 months and we stopped breast feeding.

Although he never really had much milk as he point blank refused the bottle and I went back to work at 9 months. He went without any milk for two weeks when I stopped breast feeding but then finally agreed to drink it out of a cup.

I just make sure he has some diary rich foods - porridge in morning, yoghurt etc. he eats like a trooper!

Vijac · 16/09/2013 22:47

I don't know what the recommendation is-anyone? But my son is the same age, before breakfast I breastfeed him, then he sometimes has another glass of milk during the day. That is it. Apart from milk in cereal, cheese etc.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Ragwort · 16/09/2013 22:48

I really have a dislike of 'bedtime bottles' (aren't they bad for childrens' teeth?) & I moved my DS straight to a cup from about 10 months, he didn't have a 'bedtime' drink but had a cup of milk with his evening meal. I think a lot of children get very used to a bedtime drink for the routine and comfort of it rather than because they need the nutrition. Can you give your DD plenty of dairy throughout the day in her meals?

Anyway, that is just my opinion - I was always shocked at someone I knew who still gave her school age children bottles at bed time 'because they liked them' Hmm.

DairyleaAddict · 16/09/2013 22:51

If the bottle comment was aimed at me, just to clarify it's a cup but with a soft spout which he calls his bottle.

roweeena · 16/09/2013 22:54

Slightly judgypants post ragwort!

Maybe bedtime comment was aimed at me - it is a cup of milk and then he brushes his teeth - I can think of plenty more things to be 'shocked' about!

throughgrittedteeth · 16/09/2013 23:04

My 2 year old still has milk from a bottle. Not really sure what the problem is? He drinks it all in about 5 minutes and milk is the only thing he has out of a bottle and only at bedtime. When I stopped breast feeding it took us so long to get him to drink from anything that I'm not bloody rocking the boat now! What is the actual rush?

Ragwort · 17/09/2013 08:48

Sorry if you all think I am being judgey Grin but I have always understood that bottles are not good for childrens' teeth?

Yes, I was surprised at the school age children (8 & 9 year olds) drinking out of a baby's bottle. Do you really not think that is a little odd Hmm?

bigkidsdidit · 17/09/2013 08:53

I stopped bedtime bottle before DS was one for the teeth reason too (he would fall asleep before I could brush them). He ow has a big cup of milk with breakfast and that's it other than the very occasional nesquik.

bunnyfrance · 17/09/2013 09:02

AFAIK, the recommendation is 500ml per day until 3 years old (that includes yoghurt and milk on cereal).

Fifi2406 · 17/09/2013 09:16

"Oh my god what a drunk knobhead"

Was at a party, He had his tshirt off....his love heart boxers pulled up round his middle his trouser legs rolled up to reveal his pulled up matching love heart socks dancing like a loon! I really thought he must be so drunk...but no he doesn't drink and turns out he is just a clown and an attention seeking knobhead haha!!

Fifi2406 · 17/09/2013 09:16

Totally on the wrong thread! Stupid phone Confused

lola88 · 17/09/2013 20:57

between the ages of 1 and 3 they need about 300ml a day

whyno · 20/09/2013 14:15

Bottles are only a problem for teeth if they're having them for ages at a time, and modern bottles not so much even then. I give my 2 y old one bottle of milk before bed precisely for comfort. I think people are too quick to remove comforting habits from small children. Chances are they won't still be demanding a bottle age 15 so I don't feel too concerned.

I know they don't actually need so much milk from age 2 but not sure of exact recommendations.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread