How do I cut down on milk for my 1 year old?

Question

My ped. said that my daughter should be drinking less milk (12-16 ounces). She's drinking about 24 right now. How do I cut back gradually?

My daughter is not at all overweight either. She's 30.5 in. in length and weighs 20 lbs,8 ounces. If anything, she's on the leaner side.

Answer 1

Just don't give it to her. Give her a sippy of milk for breakfast and for dinner. That's it. Other meals and snacks she gets water. Problem solved.

Answer 2

I'm not sure you should cut down. Everything I've ever read (until this post about what your doc said) suggests more than 12-16oz for a 1 year old, generally in the 16-24oz range. I know that you don't want them solely filling up on milk, but there are still a lot of nutrients (fat, iron, vitamins) that a 1 year old gets from milk.
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/feed12yr.html
http://www.kidsgrowth.com/resources/advicedetail.cfm?id=3116

Answer 3

Just dont. 4 extra ounces isnt going to hurt her for God's sake. Apparently she needs it or she wouldnt be drinking it. My 11 month old drinks between 16-20 right now, and he's as healthy as a horse according to his doctor.

Make sure she has other liquids to drink, so she's only getting milk when she's hungry. And make sure she's getting three meals of solids a day with milk in between. Dont put her to sleep with a bottle. It'll cut down on what she gets.

Yeah your doctor is retarded. Maybe get another? I know its really hard to believe, especially with doctors and medicine being like the voice of God himself, but you really have to use common sense and mommy intuition when it comes to your kids.

Doctors give advice based on their knowledge of medicine, not their knowledge of your child.

Answer 4

Your doctor is crazy. There is nothing wrong with her drinking that much milk. It's not going to hurt her. If you're really that worried about it, instead of one of the cups of milk she drinks, give her a cup of juice. But I really don't see why drinking the milk is a problem unless she's very over weight or something. My daughter drank a ton of milk at that age and we were never told not to give her that much or whatever. If she's healthy then I see nothing wrong here. Besides, the milk is better for her than juice is really anyway.

Answer 5

well when my little boy turned one he only had 2 bottles a day 8oz before bed and one 8oz bottle in the morning, eventually i just stopped the morning one when he ws about 14mths, now he is 18months and this last week ive stopped them all together, mainky because he wont drink milk out of a cup and i dont want him on the bottle anymore he is too old now, but my point is i just stopped them and he didnt complain, but if you want to do it gradually just lower the amounts over a week until there is no point in giving it!

Answer 6

I just wouldn't. Milk is great for kids. If you are offering whole milk go to 2%. Maybe the doctor meant to go off formula? Kids should be on breast milk or formula for at least a year to give optimal brain development then they can go on to 2% milk. They need milk to help with proper brain development.

Answer 7

Just substitue juice or water. It really isnt a big deal if she has a little more. They are concerned for constipation probably. If she is fine there, than its ok.

Answer 8

you could mix yogert drinks and milk together so that way you are giving her less milk. i do this with my one year old and she loves it. Also when you give her milk try giving her half of what you normally give her.

Answer 9

you doc is right......do the research on cow milk......not necessary at all and harmful!

look it up....it would be wise to take her off completely....at this age she should be still drinking your breastmilk anyways