Son won't drink Milk how do I get him enough Calcium and Vitamin D?

Question

My son is almost 20 months and does not like to drink milk AT ALL. I've tried Soy milk, flavored milk etc... and he just wants juice... Any suggestions? I worry about him not getting enough Vitamin D and Calcium

He does eat plenty of cheese, yogurt and other dairy products. I guess he is just a kid that doesn't like milk.

and yes I do care about my son and i never said I just give him juice, I said that is what he WANTS. He drinks mostly water and diluted juice, never soda! he's not even two!! I'm not an idiot, thanks, just trying to get advice on ways to get him what he needs.

Thanks Mightymo for the sunlight idea! I didn't think about that but that is a great way for him to get Vitamin D as well...

Thank you all for your suggestions.

Answer 1

Your son is correct. Don't force him to drink cow's milk. Juice is good for him, and ensure his diet is rich in vegetables to get plenty of calcium and vitamins.

There are only two reasons which I've found to support humans drinking cow's milk. We have grown up hearing that it's good for us and we've grown accustomed to the taste and texture. Otherwise there is absolutely no nutrition that can not be obtained elsewhere, minus the negatives. Calcium seems to be the major claim for milk. It can be found elsewhere in green vegetables, almonds, and many other sources. Why we continue to drink cow's milk laced with growth hormones, antibiotics, and who knows what else is beyond me.

Since I've given up drinking milk about 5 years ago my health has greatly improved. Fewer allergy problems, asthma and breathing problems greatly reduced, I'm sleeping better, and I have more energy.

Do some research online and decide for yourself.
http://www.strongbones.org/
http://www.notmilk.com/
http://www.nomilk.com/

Answer 2

Wow, he has stopped already. Dont tell anyone I am 21 and still drinking milk. I used to warm it up and drink it now I drink it cold, I think your son no longer wants milk, it wont be a bad thing if he doesnt drink milk, because he may get all the required calcium through other sources like Yoghurt/cereal bars. I believe its the time he doesnt like milk, and just let him get on with it, dont force him, try an alternative like orange juice or hot chocolate... that contains milk. Hope thats ok. Keep the milk going.. I love my milk!!

Answer 3

The best source of vitamin D is the sun. A half hour a day will do the trick. There is also OJ and Apple juice that has calcium and Vitamin D too.

Answer 4

nowadays a lot of juices come fortified with calcium and a variety of vitamins, look for ones that are fortified with calcium... since you said he eats plenty of dairy products aside from milk, i wouldn't worry too much about that.. also giving him a fair amount of veggies is a great way to make sure he gets his calcium and vita D...

it's great that you're diluting the juice.. it's much better for his teeth that you do that.. i'd check with your pediatrician to make sure he's getting what he needs if not, you can probably get him some vitamin drops..

a few tips for getting kiddos to drink milk.. try food coloring.. let them pick out the color they'd like their milk to be.. or if they're really picky try flavoring the milk with chocolate or strawberry mixes... if drinking milk actually makes your child ill, they might be lactose intollerant, see your doctor to make sure..

~*good luck*~

Answer 5

Try to get him to eat yogurt, string cheese and other mild cheeses. Does he eat oatmeal, cook it with milk, ice cream, calcium enhanced orange juice, puddings, mac and cheese.
For added Vitamin D get him a half hour in the sun everyday, especially when it is sunny. Don't use sunblock for the first 1/2 hour he won't get cancer and burn, but its good Vitamin D.

Answer 6

My nephew is lactose intolerant so he can't drink milk. If you go to a local CVS or Walgreens they have Gummi childrens vitamins that come in many varieties like extra vitamin c. I also think it is outstanding that your son drinks pleanty of juice and water those are the best things for him. You may want to try some flavored milks like chocolate or strawberry they serve those flavors in some schools here in Georgia. There is also a Vanilla flavored milk as well. But if and when he drinks milk monitor his bowel movement since he doesn't drink it it may give him the go-gos. (Diarrhea)

Answer 7

orange juice has 2 x the calcium as milk and there are other juice for vitamin d. just read them.

Answer 8

Give him calcium enhanced orange juice, you can get it at your grocer. Plus, milk isn't the only thing with calcium and vit.D. Kids love cheese cubes, yogurt tubes (I know, ew), and even cottage cheese with fruit. There are many options out there. Some kids just don't like milk!

Answer 9

Do like my Grandmother had to do with my mom and her twin sister she either turned it into chocolate milk or like now a days they have more than just chocolate flavor like banana and other types of flavors or just tell him he can drink he's milk or he can take a vitamin made for kids.

Answer 10

there are a lot of juices with calcium fortified and there are a variety of green leafy foods that are high in calcium too. my daughter doesn't drink milk nor do i, and i've learned to supplement through diet rich in it from other foods. good luck!!