2 year old only wants milk

[Fetacinno81]

My DS had just turned 2 and had never been a big eater.

He's always measured and weighed fine but recently all he wants to drink is milk instead of food.

He usually gets a cup of milk mid morning and then one before bedtime (the recommended amount) but he is asking now as soon as he wakes, before dinner then when he's finished he asks for more (which I don't give him).

I've switched him to semi-skimmed to see if maybe he would have more of an appetite since it's not as filling but he refuses food pretty much or has one or two bites.

Today I asked what he wanted for lunch and he said milk and I said no milk you need food. He did he at any lunch at all.

He does have a cold at the moment plus a tooth coming in so I don't know if he is just off food.

I feel like he is becoming less and less interested in food.

My 16 month old has gone through bouts of not wanting much food and signalling she's done after a couple bites but it's usually when she's ill or teething badly - she just becomes a boob monster. I usually just ride with it and keep offering food at meal times and still waiting a bit after before offering milk but not stressing and she usually goes back to eating once she starts feeling better

If he's teething and has a cold, have you tried him with a dose of ibruprofen and some teething gel? He could just be feeling poorly.

@PritiPatelsMaker he definitely has a cold- he's very snotty!

And I think he had one tooth coming through so just a bit off his food maybe.

I also don't know if it's a phase as he's learned to ask for the milk too.

It's addictive, it's the casein, and milk is specifically designed to be addictive to babies for obvious reasons. I used to be this addicted to milk myself.

Mine was like this about breastmilk at that age, it helps them grow.

There's much more casein in cows' milk and you might be interested to look into it but in a way it's natural, he would naturally still be having milk at this age and evolution doesn't work that quickly, babies still desire their milk until natural weaning age, 5-7 years.

Makes sense about teething, milk has anaesthetic in it so he biologically knows to desire it. Obviously this won't be the same for the cows' milk as it's not producing what he needs via the breast but it's the same principle.

During teething mine fed all night, was annoying for me stopped the pain for her.

my daughter goes on and off eating much all the time. I don’t think you should give him the extra milk tho

Mine did this. We had to go cold turkey. The milk fairy came and took the milk away and then slowly introduced it back in with cereal. Make sure to offer cheese if you go this route.

Mine was just like this - wouldn’t drink anything but milk way into primary school. She’s 21 now and fine. Slim and healthy. Only drinks water, posh coffees and expensive cocktails!