1 Year Old

Enfamil makes "Next Step" Milk-based alternative for 1-2 year olds. I really think the fat in whole milk is important, I believe 12-16 ounces a day for a 1 year old?? My 15 month old didn't like the switch, either, but he did like "Next Step" (with the formula in the grocery store) and it gives them more vitamins/nutrients than milk. We bought it for two months and mixed with whole milk (half and half) and now, he's all milk.

My kids didn't like the switch from breast milk to whole milk. Could it be that he doesn't like it cold straight out of the fridge? My kids loved when I added a small amount of Ovaltine to their milk and served it lukewarm. It's full of vitamins and minerals, but it also contains sugar, so go easy! To this day they love warmed milk and Ovaltine. They used to call it "O-O-teen!"

The only way my son will drink milk is if I put strawberry syrup in it. He doesn't like milkshakes because they are too cold.

R.
My son would not drink anykind of milk at 1. We were at sams one day and they were doing samples on the pediasure and he loved it. He would drink one a night before bed time and did so for about a year and a half but now he will drink regular milk. He would only drink the vanilla kind he did not like the other flavors at all. Good luck!
C.

Hi R.,
My son is 14 months and I have been dealing with the same problem. I started trying with whole milk at the beginning of January. It has been a long process. I encourage you to not give up! He has gradually gone from drinking no milk, to 1 ounce, to 2 ounces, and now he drinks about 6 ounces a day. I supplement with other dairy products, cheese and yogurts are his favorites. You can do a search online to see what other food items are high in calcium. I offer the milk at every meal and inbetween meals also. Sometimes he takes it and sometimes he doesn't, but I would suggest not making a big deal out of it. You can only offer a nutritious meal - you cannot force him/her to eat or drink it.

If your child will eat yogurt, cheese and leafy greens, I'd not worry about milk. Lots of kids don't like the taste and many don't digest it well.

You can also give calcium supplements, too.

I'd not stress over it.

Hi!
I couldn't get my 2 year old to drink milk either so I pretty much relied on cheese and drinkable yogurt for the calcium. Not too long ago, I poured a little Nestle Quik strawberry syrup into some milk and showed my daughter how it made it turn "princess" pink and ever since she has to have her strawberry milk at night. I hope this helps!

My one year old wouldn't drink milk either. The doctor suggested starting with soy milk. We used the very vanilla. It took a few times, but now she loves it. We are mixing it now with whole milk. She can't seem to get enough.

If you want him to drink the milk keep offering it. I wouldn't give him anything else but water. Is the regular milk hurting his stomach? My dd can't drink milk. I use rice milk in cooking etc but she has never drunk milk. Ds couldn't drink milk until he was treated for his intolerance and can now have it if it is organic... he still reacts to regular milk.
If he has previously been fine I would say it is a rebellion thing... give him milk with meals. Do NOT give him juice!

Try soy milk! My cousin's child is more than two and to this day refuses to drink regular milk, but he took to soy milk right away.

My son went from breast milk to soy formula, but when he turned 1 he wouldn't drink plain milk. I started with adding Vanilla Quick and putting it in the microwave for 30 seconds to take the chill off. He is now 4 years old and continues to love milk (usually strawberry or vanilla) but will drink plain at school or a friends house. Keep trying, it is important for them to have whole milk at least until they are 2 (they need the fat-- we don't). Good luck and I hope this helps.

My daughter has a milk intolerance and has never been able to deal well with it. So, since a year old she has been on soy milk. I try cows milk every once in a while to see if she will drink it or if it will still affect her the same, she refuses to drink it. Not drinking milk will not hurt your child. Just find other sources of calcium to use...there are many. Lots of veggies, beans and legumes, cheese, yogurt, OJ and much more are good sources of calcium. Actually, sometimes milk can be more of a problem that not. Drinking milk and consuming large amounts of dairy can prolong sicknesses, especially respitory kinds. It can cause stomach and digestive track issues including constipation.
Don't worry, your child will do well without milk. If you are looking for something to mix with cereal or such, try soy or rice milk. Both come in vanilla flavor and taste great. My kids love both of them.

Have you tried soy milk? My nephew vomits regular milk, even with the flavored syrups mixed in. He's not allergic to milk products, just doesn't like regular milk. My sister drinks soy milk and her son loves it too. Hope this helps.

Have you tried Ovaltine? It has lots of vitamins and the flavor may help him/her drink more.

M. A

My son had a lot of medical problems, including lactose intolerance...we initially started w/ Pediasure (vanilla flav) but he tried a Boost and drank that from then on...they make it in high protein & plus. Perhaps if your child likes something like that, you could start sneaking milk into it, until he/she is ok w/ milk again.

This could be a phase and there are other dairy rich foods out there...cheese, yogurt, ice cream etc.....

milkshakes will cause obesity and cavities! I would just try soy or rice milk that is fortified with vit D.He might like it better.My son did-soymilk. you can get it at walmart or kroger. walmart is cheaper!

Hi R.
You might try Soy Milk it is sweeter but still has all the nutrition that he needs if you get Silk Soymilk fortified for kids comes in a purple box. My daughter loves it she also drinks milk but we had to start her on this because she spends so much time with a boy who can't drink milk.
R.

I had the same problem with my son. He would not drink milk for the longest time. I just got him to start liking milk and he is now 3. The doctor's told me to give him yogurt and lots of dairy products to make up for the lack of milk intake. My son loves to eat the gogurts but he didn't really care too much for the yogurt. I also would make him cream of wheat and made it with milk instead of water. He will drink milk on occasion but it has to be chocolate or strawberry milk. I hope this helped you some.
A. O.

My son hates white milk. Try putting a carnation instant breakfast packet in the milk. My son likes vanilla and strawberry... This is the only way we can sneak milk into him at all and the extra vitamins are good for him!

have you tried calcium fortified orange juice?

have you tried chocolate or strwberry flavoring? My oldest still won't drink just milk,period, but he would drink strawberry milk, and now he only drinks milk out of his cereal

My son drinks goats milk and LOVES it! At first, he was not a big milk drinker, either, so I put about 1 tsp of strawberry milk powder in the milk and shook it really well. He slurps it down, now. I know that it's adding extra sugar, but it might work. Also, I would suggest giving your child other types of dairy (i.e. cheese and yogurt).

Have you tried chocolate milk??

My son had a problem with milk when he was young. My Dr. told me not to worry about it as long as he got the calicum other ways. He said to give him plenty of cheese and other dairy products. My son is a healthy 30 year old now that still doesn't drink much milk but eats plenty of other dairy products

my daughter would only drink vanilla soy milk- she was breastfed and at one year, just didn't like regular milk!

I'm sure your dr has told you that babies/toddlers go through stages where they love one food/drink and then don't. Try feeding yours some yogurt and some cheese to supplement what dairy he's missing in his diet from not drinking the milk. I'd still offer it to him/her several times a day and if he/she changes his/her mind. It's bound to happen and if it persists for any real length of time, I'll call the dr just to see if there is anything else you can go. Good luck!