Milk in the Sippy Cup Strike!

Updated on January 31, 2007
Y.M. asks from Henrico, VA
16 answers

My 1 yr old daughter is going on a milk strike! She refuses to drink her milk from the sippy cup. She will drink her juice all day long but as soon as I try to sneak some milk at her, she takes one look at it and starts shaking her head NO! I dont get it.. I thought that maybe she wasnt ready to switch the milk over from the bottle becuase her Grandma still gives her milk in the mornings from a bottle. So, I bought some Nuby cups and took them to Grandmas so she would switch to that. (naturally - her response was..."shes still a baby - dont rush her") I am not rushing her, I just dont get why she wont take milk from it but she will take juice. I even broke down and gave her back milk in a bottle and guess what.. SHE WOULDNT DRINK IT?? I dont know if she thought it was a trick or if she just prefers Grandma only to give it to her.. but she is acting really weird about milk at home. I am at my wits end.. Im worried she isnt getting enough milk at home. Has anyone else had this happen to them?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

I went to Walmart yesterday and bought a bunch of Yo Baby yogurt to supplement where she isnt getting the whole milk - she loves it and it more than happy to eat it. I also tried something different with the milk. After talking to my mother-in-law, she said she has been warming the milk up a little and thats the way she prefers it. Since she is the one babysitting her all day, I tried it. I sat the milk out for a bit to take the chill off it and SHE DRANK IT!!!! I was so happy and I did the happy dance (which she got a kick out of - it made her laugh!)
Now, I have to let my mother in law know that she HAS to stop the bottle completely. I already bought and gave her 2 nuby cups to match the kind we are using at home. Im certain once she sticks to that then Alanna will be fine with the milk on a regular basis.
Thanks for your suggestions everyone.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.M.

answers from Raleigh on

Hi! You might try a straw cup for the milk. I put my daughters juice in the sippys and the milk in the straw cups. I have done this since we transitioned her from the bottle. I prefer the playtex ones. Good luck!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.S.

answers from Charlotte on

Hi,
I have had the same issue with my daughter and we mix a half cup of milk and half formula and she drinks that. i just dont think she is ready for the strong taste of cows milk all by itself yet. Just suppliment with cheese, and yogurt until she makes a complete switch.

A.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.M.

answers from Charlotte on

I read somewhere to put water in the bottle and milk in the cup and most times they will take the cup because it's not water. I hope this idea helps, I've yet to try it.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.D.

answers from Asheville on

First off, I think you should get rid of the juice, at least for awhile. Instead of juice offer milk or water only. And make sure you and your mom are on the same page, so if you want your daughter to have a cup instead of a bottle, make this clear to your mom. Both my sons refused milk for awhile, we sweetened it a little, you can use chocolate milk, or instant breakfast. Just a little for sweetness, then gradually make it less and less, until it is straight milk. She is still a baby, so no need to rush on the cup, but juice is really the last thing she needs!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.B.

answers from Charleston on

I have not had this problem but have you tried giving her a "big" girl cup with a straw and a little milk. Who cries over spilt milk anyway?

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Raleigh on

Okay, I know this might sound a little rude and it's not meant that way, but don't give her the juice! I know you're worried about her drinkikng enough, but you are the parent. Believe me, she will not go thirsty!

We only gave our son juice about once every other day, and it was very diluted. I'm talking 1 ounce juice and the rest water. We STILL do that and he's 3 1/2.

I understand your concern, and it's hard to do, but you need to just keep giving her milk. Take care!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.S.

answers from Spartanburg on

My daughter (now 17 months old) did the same thing when we started her on a sippy cup. What worked for her was to add a little malt ovaltine (the non-chocolate kind) into the milk and warm it up good. At first she wouldn't take it, but we put a little onto her lips, and as soon as she tasted it, she got over her no-milk thing. After a little while, we reduced how much ovaltine powder was in there, and now she just has milk, with ovaltine for treats a couple of times a week.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.J.

answers from Norfolk on

With my daughter, I had to stop giving her the juice for two days before I could get her to drink the milk. I gave her only water in her cup or milk. If seh is thirsty, she will drink it. Also she will not drink whole milk. I guess she does not like it. She will drink 2 % though. As far as the cup, make sure that you get your mom to do the same thing. This way it will be done with the bottle for good. My daughter was off the bottle at 1 year exactly.
T.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.M.

answers from Charlotte on

Hey. Hope you're doing well.
I just wanted to symphathize and yes, we have had this go on and continue to do so. Our daughter turns 4 in about a week, and she still refuses to drink milk. She took her formula fine, and when we switched her over to cow's milk at one, she had an allergic reaction to it. We tried soy, flavored, just about everything under the sun, but she wouldn't take it. She has now outgrown the allergy, but still won't drink milk. Her pediatrician checked her calcium levels, and they were fine. He said to try and substitute w/calcium fortified foods/drinks. Yogurt, cheese, orange juice w/calcium, etc. For 3 yrs. now, all she takes in her sippy cups is juice. We switch juices throughout the day, (which are actually half water, half juice), so she doesn't get diahrea w/all apple juice. She seems to be doing great though. She's never had any health problems other than that allergy. Her doc visits are always good, and she is in a normal health range. She also loves yogurt and cheese so that helps.

And guess what? She'll drink milk for my mother in law, but not here. She'll go a whole day w/o drinking when we try and hold her to milk, and i get worry she'll get dehydrated! So, maybe I'm the weak one. lol. Who knows? But I think she, and your child will be fine. I would check w/the doc to make sure. Hope this helps, and let me know if you need anything else. Take care!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.C.

answers from Norfolk on

I have this problem with my 17 month old daughter. Always have. Her Dr. said that kids who refuse milk could be semi-lactoce intolerant. Just that their systems aren't ready for it. So to get her all of the nutrition she needs from it, and then some, I give her yogurt smoothies. She loves them, and then I feel better because she is getting what she needs. Hope this helps

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.C.

answers from Myrtle Beach on

HI THERE
I HAV EA 16MO OLD WHO BEGAN TO REFUSE MILK IN A CUP. WE WENT BACK TO MILK IN A BOTTLE. FINALLY, I DID NOT WANT TO HIM TO HAVE BOTTLE ANYMORE, SO I GOT SOY MILK (VANILLA) IT A BIT SWEETER BUT HAS CLOSE TO SAME NUTRITENTS AS WHOLE MILK AND HE LOVES IT, BOTTLER, SIPPY CUP, STRAW CUP ANY THING.

IF IT HELPS I AM A DIETITIAN. HE WILL NOW TAKE WHOLE MILK, MOSTLY AT DAY CARE AND SOY MILK AT HOME. IT SEEMS TO WORK FOR HIM

GOOD LUCK

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.M.

answers from Charlotte on

I don't have an answer but would love to know how to deal w/ the same thing. My daughter will be 2 soon and will drink soy milk only from a bottle unless at daycare (& there the only thing that might work is the sports-style cup w/ flip-up straw). A Dr suggested I find a stuff animal that can latch around the bottle for a week only. Then let her keep the stuffed animal & loose the bottle. YEP, it didn't work. I know it's her "comfort" item and probably a way of dealing with all the chnges that have occurred in the last yr. (Father seriously hurt unable to even hold her for several months, job re-location, moving,... new daycares... oh & me transient for 10 wks while I tried to organize a new place to live & sell old place ...) Please pass on any info!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.M.

answers from Charleston on

I have a few suggestions. First, is she still 9 mths as your signature states? If so, are you on formula, breastfeeding, a combination or milk?

Until 8 mths breastmilk or formula should be 90% of a little ones nutritional intake, until 10mths 75% and still the majority until 1 year. With the milk strike, I would first try reducing solids to get her to drink some more at this age. Also, maybe only offer milk or water in the sippy until this is over - no juice as it doesn't provide much nutritional value anyway (I am holding off on introducing juice for as long as I can - concentrating on actual fruit for nutrition)

I have also heard that it can deal with what she is eating. Some mothers find a correlation between the more carbs a little one takes at a meal they might not want milk for a while.

I recently went a long time without updated the age of my son on my signature, so, I was thinking that she might be older than 9 mths. If she is closer to the year range and you have introduced other types of dairy, definitely try to make sure that she is getting yogurt. You can also make some smoothies with dairy to get some more milk in to her. Some also suggest some cheerios with milk. If she has recently made the transition from formula or breastmilk to cow's milk, she may be rejecting the milk because it is not sweet (breast milk and some formulas are both very sweet). If this is the case, I have seen recommendations for mixing 1/2 soy milk and 1/2 regular milk to make it a bit sweeter.

Hope some of these suggestions help!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Charlottesville on

my only advise i found that worked for my daughter to yours is to try yhte GERBER cups they are soft tiped like a bottle and they have the handles on both sides these cup also come in the shape of the bottle but can be converted into the sippy they are usualy running about $ 3-4.00 a pack this was the fgastest way i boke katie of the bottle they are wonderful
i thught i'd never get her off the bottle. also if u watch the value pack cupons sometimes they have cupons in them for the gerber things

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Raleigh on

I had a friend go through this same exact thing. Her mother kept her daughter during the day while she worked. She was trying her best to get her daughter away from a bottle (she was over 2) but the grandmother kept giving it to her during the day. You need to put your foot down. Remove ALL bottles & replace them with nothing but sippy cups if that's what you want to use. If she is thirsty enough and all there is to drink is milk from a sippy cup ... SHE WILL DRINK IT!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from New York on

This has happened to me as well. My daughter is 14 months and will not take milk from a sippie cup either. She shakes her head no also. It' funny actually, how smart they really are. I was actually told to switch to a sippie cup so that her teeth will not rot. When she used to go to sleep, she would have to have milk or juice in a bottle. Now I've been trying water and it actually works. You just have to wait until they're really tired. I think it's fine to give the bottle throughout the day for now. Just keep the juice in the sippie cup and eventually she'll be okay with either in the cup. Just make sure you brush her teeth at least twice and after having milk in the bottle. If she's not taking milk at all now, maybe try giving her milk from a regular child's cup, one sip at a time. Just to get her milk intake up. I don't even think they need a whole lot of milk at this age. You can find a food chart that tells you how much she should have daily anywhere on a nutritional website. Just try that until she'll take it again in a bottle or in a sippie cup. Hope this helps.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches