22 Month Old Won't Drink Milk

Have you tried soy milk? dairy products are really not to good and he can get the nutrients from soy milk; specially now that she's not an infant anymore.

If no milk works, there's fortified orange juice that also has calcium and vitamin D.

I once had a pediatrician ask me if I realized that we are the only mammals on the face of the earth that drink another mammals milk. When he put it to me that way it didn't seem like such a big deal that my daughter was refusing milk. As long as she's getting her calcium and vitamin D from other other sources, I wouldn't worry yourself about it.

I was always told that there are reasons children don't eat certain foods, especially if they are otherwise a good eater. My doctor and others have said that if they won't need it, it's because their body doesn't want it. Basically, she could get an upset stomach from it or be lactose intolerant. I would talk to the doctor about this and what what else you can do besides milk to make sure she is getting the nutrients she needs.

I agree, she doesn't have to drink milk. Will she eat yogurt, cheese, etc? Then she's getting all the dairy calcium she needs. If not, then you could try what some others suggested for the calcium (OJ, broccoli, spinach, etc.)
Do you think she doesn't like it, or she's just fighting you?

If she doesn't want to drink don't force her. I am 33 years old and still to this day won't touch milk, and I am fine and healthy. Milk always isn't as good as every one says it is for you. There are alot of people that don't digest milk properly and in my opinion can be hard on the digestive system. If you are worried about calcium there were alot of good suggestions in the other posts. Good luck, and remember to never force any food or drink on a child that will just make them picky as adults.

My son who will be 4, is the exact same way. After the formula he wanted nothing to do with the cow milk. Now every once in a while he will drink about 4oz of chocolate milk. But I wouldn't force her. Although cow milk is essential in from 12-24 months for brain development. Did your pediatrician suggest stage 2 formula for her. My son drank that for some time, but he eats so much yogurt he gets all the calcium he needs plus more. I hope this helps.

M.,

Have you tried heating it up? Whether you nursed her or formula feed her, she is probably used to luke warm beverages. When my daughter first switch to milk (we drink soy milk in our house) she didn't want it at all until I started heating it up. Now it doesn't matter what temperature the milk is.

-Mel

M., have you tryed 2% or soy milk that what my doctor told me to do when my kids were little if that dont work get her a calcium vit. I hope this helps .Best of luck to you.
L.

Hi M.,
This is such a coincidence. I am reading a book written by an allergist who specializes in children's allergies. She says that often children are trying to tell us of a food that is causing them distress by refusing to eat or drink it. Milk is bad to contribute to congestion. Get her on a good infant multivitamin and it will be a better source of calcium, anyway. Are you aware that we are the only species that drinks another species' milk? I know it is hard to get your arms around that people don't encourage milk drinking, but it's true. Best of luck. Let me know if you want to know about the book.
S.