Cow’s milk is recommended for babies older than one year as it is a good source of, e.g., calcium and protein.
But what if your 1-year-old refuses milk? Can this be bad for her health? And what can be done about the situation?
Mom’s Question:
My daughter turned 1 year about a week ago. We took her off formula because she barely wants to drink it anyway, but she’s lactose intolerant, so she can only drink a certain type of cow’s milk… The problem is she REFUSES to drink any sort of milk, and I’m not too sure what I can do.
Is this okay because I was told it’s very important from age 1-2 that milk be a big part of their diet?
Samantha H
What to Do When Toddler Refuses Milk
The Benefits of Cow’s Milk to Toddlers
I understand your concern since most of us have been taught that cow’s milk is very important for our kids to grow healthy, strong bones. Cow’s milk contains a lot of calcium, which is good for the bones, and the milk is often also fortified with Vitamin D, which is actually very important for both our bone health and overall health.
However, the benefits of cow’s milk are not entirely clear-cut. Research published already in 2011 (see below for references) concluded that cow’s milk should not be given at all to children under the age of 1 year as cow’s milk may put the child at risk for intestinal bleeding and has too many proteins and minerals for the baby’s kidneys to handle. The study suggested that even after 12 months, cow’s milk should only be given in modest amounts to toddlers. The researchers found that cow’s milk may lead to iron deficiency, dehydration, and even obesity; the latter due to its high protein content.
Yet other studies conclude that cow’s milk has no adverse effects after 12 months old and should be considered an important part of a toddler’s diet. Not easy to know what to think or do as a parent!
The nutritional guidelines for toddlers recommend children aged 12 through 23 months get 1⅔ to 2 cups equivalents of dairy a day, including cow’s milk, yogurt, cheese, fortified soy beverages, and soy-based yogurt. Again, this is to ensure that the toddlers get the vitamin D, calcium, and calories they need.
Alternatives to Cow’s Milk
One way is to go behind the recommendations and see what is actually in the milk that is so important. And what we find is mainly calcium, vitamin D, and calories. And all this can we get to our children in other ways too!
For calcium, you can look for calcium-fortified orange juice or soy milk or give her some steamed broccoli. Since your girl is now one year old, you can also give her collard greens, which are high in calcium. Tofu and edamame are other options.
Vitamin D – maybe even more important than calcium, can easily be added to her diet through a vitamin supplement or, even better, time spent outside. Some foods, such as oily fish (e.g., salmon), egg yolks, and red meat, are good sources of vitamin D. You should also be able to find Vitamin D-fortified breakfast cereals, soy milk, and fat spreads.
As for the calories, a great way to make sure a toddler gets the energy she needs is to add some butter or oil to her foods. Fat is very important for your baby’s development, including the brain. Read about why and how to add fat to baby food here.
How to Tell if Your Toddler Gets Enough Calcium and Vitamin D
While your child is unlikely to have calcium or Vitamin D deficiency, here are some signs to look for and discuss with your baby’s healthcare provider if you are at all worried:
Adequate growth: Children who are getting enough calcium and vitamin D should be growing at a healthy rate
No symptoms of low vitamin D or low calcium: Symptoms of low vitamin D can include muscle and bone pain, while symptoms of low calcium can include seizures or convulsions. If a child shows any of these symptoms, they should be taken to a doctor.
Regular check-ups: Regular visits to the doctor can help ensure that a toddler is getting enough calcium and vitamin D. The doctor can monitor the child’s growth and development and recommend supplements if necessary
A balanced diet: A toddler who is getting enough calcium and vitamin D should be eating a balanced diet that includes dairy products, dark-green vegetables, beans, and other calcium-rich foods
Ways to Sneak In Cow’s Milk in Your Toddler’s Food
Finally, it is entirely possible to get some milk into your daughter either with her approval or without her knowing. :-) Simply add cream, milk, or yogurt to her solids.
Can your girl tolerate any lactose at all through, for example, cheese (which has almost no lactose at all but certainly calcium)?
Or could she be interested in eating lactose-free yogurt? Maybe you could tempt her by making a smoothie and seasoning the milk with some strawberries and a tiny bit of cocoa powder. Use your imagination! This is actually a great way to make a young toddler continue with the formula too. Read about ideas for formula (or milk) shakes in this thread.
So you see, if you experiment a bit, I’m sure you can find ways to help your daughter get her calcium, vitamin D, and calories even if she refuses regular milk.
Good luck!
Paula
Read Next
- What Should My Child Eat? Toddler Nutritional Needs
- Toddler Refuses to Eat? 7 Stress-Free Hacks to Try Today
- Toddler and Baby Vitamin Guidelines (Few Supplements Needed!)
Research references
- Ziegler EE., Consumption of cow’s milk as a cause of iron deficiency in infants and toddlers, Nutr Rev. 2011 Nov;69 Suppl 1:S37-42. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2011.00431.x.
- Agostoni C, Turck D., Is cow’s milk harmful to a child’s health?, J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011 Dec;53(6):594-600.
- McKenzie Pediatrics: Calcium: Is my child getting enough?
- The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne: Vitamin D
Paula Dennholt founded Easy Baby Life in 2006 and has been a passionate parenting and pregnancy writer since then. Her parenting approach and writing are based on studies in cognitive-behavioral models and therapy for children and her experience as a mother and stepmother. Life as a parent has convinced her of how crucial it is to put relationships before rules. She strongly believes in positive parenting and a science-based approach.
Paula cooperates with a team of pediatricians who assist in reviewing and writing articles.
My baby is one year old. He used to drink his milk daily from the bottle but nowadays he refuses to have his milk, so please tell me what should I do so that he can have his milk..or tell me some other ways for my baby boy..
thanks!!
Try making strawberry-flavored or chocolate-flavored lactose-free milk. Yes, there’s going to be sugar in there but if that’s the only way shes going to drink milk, so be it! Also, pediasure might be something you might want to try.
Both of my boys have been lactose intolerant since birth. They drink Lactaid whole milk with calcium. Usually, children with lactose intolerance can digest other forms of calcium such as lactose-free yogurt, tuna, broccoli, pinto beans and when they are a bit older oranges. Cheese and ice cream have a high content of lactose like milk does so I substitute with Lactaid cheese and lactose-free ice cream (Breyers). Sometimes it is really a process of elimination and it takes a few days to see how they react to specific foods. Good Luck.