How Much Milk Should My Year Old Be Drinking Throughout the Day?

You've already received some responses about the two camps regarding milk. I would advise you to go to Whole Foods or the library and read books about milk. You need to be well informed. I am against it for babies. It is from another species and it is cooked so it's wrong on many levels. The best thing a parent can do is prepare their child's own food from organic fruits and vegetables. Gerber is not good quality although the concept is OK. You can get a little food grinder and get into a routine in nothing flat. You are lucky you have a Whole Foods in Lawton. Don't over-think the food. Let her sample lots of flavors but beware of the mac and cheese trap. It makes me sick when I see parents letting their kids eat meal after meal of mac and cheese and the excuse that "That's all they will eat". Well, if they are never introduced to it in the first place, it won't be a problem.
Dairy protein (casein) and wheat protein (gluten) are in the top five on allergen lists. Use with extreme caution. You can look at nearly any kid with ADD or behavior and immune problems and they will be a wheat and dairy eater. Keep in varied and keep it simple. Single ingredient foods. Sounds like you are doing a great job!

I was a nanny for a doctor who gave her son 7 ounces of milk at every meal, and that was it. I was acutally the one who started making him drink water because she didn't think it was a big deal for him to not be drinking more that 3 or 4 ounces a day at 2yrs. I wouldn't worry much about the milk thing, young kids move around so much that the fat they obtain from milk is really rather minimal, but essential to their brain and body function. And if she's not eating don't worry, kids will eat when they are hungry, if you force her too much she will train her body to accept too much food. Every child is different on how much and when they can eat, some eat 6 times a day, and some eat more often in smaller increments. As long as she's growing just sit back and relax, she'll let you know when she needs more food.

Forget about these "stage" and "graduate" "foods." Just give her real food. Get a copy of Ruth Yaron's Super Baby Food to learn how to feed your daughter a super healthy diet, and it's super cheap, and super easy!

Meanwhile, about her milk habit, start transitioning to non-dairy milks (dairy isn't healthy). Just gradually add more and more non-dairy milks of your choice to her milk. You have hemp, rice, almond, and soy to choose from at most health food stores.

Offer her a "nibble tray" (ice cube tray) of all kinds of super healthy foods to snack on. Offer a good, broad variety and she'll eat what her body tells her it needs. Some ideas are beans out of the can (drained, rinsed); bite-sized fruits and veggies (of all kinds! I'm talking mango, kiwi, sweet potato, squash, chard, etc.), sesame seeds, hummus - ski's the limit. Don't think "baby food" or "kid food" or "snacks" in the marketed sense. See that can of pumpkin pie filling in your cupboard? (Let's say it's organic.) Stick a little of that in there. See those carrots? Sure, make them into little carrot sticks, but also cook them and mash them into a "dipping sauce" (unseasoned is great, they're very sweet) for other items in her tray.

Have fun!

L.

PS I just saw the post below, and let me amend: your daughter needs plenty of servings of CALCIUM a day. Not DAIRY. Try those leafy greens. Kidney beans. Tofu and soymilk.

Here: there's a chart you can use at http://www.health.gov/DIETARYGUIDELINES/dga2005/document/... This resource gives you all kinds of options for feeding your daughter a rich, healthy, varied diet of calcium-packed foods.

Keep in mind that although dairy sources seem to pack in a lot of calcium, it is not very bio-available calcium; mostly or partly due to the fact that the animal protein, itself, interferes with the absorption. So, getting a vegetable-source 100 mg calcium is way better than getting an animal-source 200 mg, for ex. And it's way safer and healthier for your little one.

L.

Just adding to what's already here. I have always heard the 16 oz rule also, and my 13 month old, adjusted that down hisself when we put him on whole milk. I wanted to wait longer, but decided to try it one day to get him used to it. He loved the whole milk so much that we moved him over to it. Now, we still make him a formula cup at night (not bottle) because he has become a picky eater the past few weeks and I want to make sure he's still getting all those nutrients. But we'll do away with that shortly too. As for food, give her whatever you're eating, as long as it's not too spicy, salty, or sugary, although she might love that. Once you give them some of your food, they might not want anything else, so avoid the stuff that's really doctored up. We use the Graduate meals and snacks for when we're on the go and can't get to anything else, or send that to Grandma's just in case what she's making doesn't suit him too well. Other than that, he eats whatever we do, just smaller bite size pieces.

I really understand where you are coming from. I have a 13 month old, and I wonder the same thing too. I have been trying to just give two bottles a day of milk and some days it works and some days, like today, he has been teething and only wants the bottle. My son eats really good some days and not so well on others. I would'nt stress that much about it as long as milk is not the only source of food all day.

Don't worry about her drinking juice, my daughter also did not like juice and to this day she is 15 does not like soft drinks or sugary drinks and is much healther for it. Our doctor was glad that she was not drinking fruit drinks for the health reasons, she also did not like any baby food out of jars, so we feed her small cut up fruit and food that we ate and again she is fine. What is wrong with drinking milk and water, two things that doctors say that girls don't get enough of and need for bone strengh as they age. As for sleep for years we feed our daughter before she went to bed to help her sleep through the night or I gave her a healthy snack in middle of night if need be, she did out grow this stage and now goes to bed without eating and sleeps through the night, so it does get better and let her drink the healthy stuff and give her adult food and save a bunch of money in the process.
L. mom a wonderful healty 15 year old

My DD is 14 months. We have had trouble with her eating habits since we began baby food. She only eats certain items, I cant get her to eat the Graduates and she rarely eats real table food. You do have to limit their milk, because that is where they are getting their calories, so if you are giving her milk to supplement that you feel she hasnt eaten much food, she would rather have that, so that is why you have to limit it. Our doctor said to offer her food and if she refuses dont force her and dont try until the next time she is to eat, kinda like this is when and where you should eat and if you dont then good luck. I have a real hard time with this like you are saying, but our DD sometimes doesnt eat a huge amount for a few days, eats kinda like "a bird" then she eats every meal, every thing we offer and a snack. Your DD wont starve, my personal advice is to find a happy medium of how you feel and what the doctor suggests. That is what I do. For the nighttime sleep habit, my personal opionion is that is is just that a "habit" she shouldnt be hungry at night anymore. My DD will wake up and if I go in there too many nights in a row I have fallen into her "habit" and we have break it. Try seeing if she really can just go back to sleep. It may take a few days to break this habit, but it is possible. My DD is probably one of the most restless sleepers, she can sit up and sometimes cry up to 5 times a night, she just lays RIGHT back down and keeps sleeping! Hope this helps. Good Luck!

We have had a similar problem with my daughter. She doesn't eat much, except at breakfast. But she drinks milk really well. I guess the problem can be when they fill up on milk and don't want to eat much food, which can lead to deficiencies. My daughter is actually anemic. I'm not sure if this is the reason or not, but it could be. So we try to monitor how much milk she has. I wouldn't worry if I were you, about the juice. Juice isn't that great for kids anyway, especially if they eat fruit. Ordinarily it puts too much sugar into their diet. That's why they say no more than 4-6 oz of diluted juice in a day for kids 1-3 years old. Water and milk are the 2 best choices for her to have to drink! Maybe once she's had 16 oz of milk already in the day, offer her water. That way if she's thirsty, she'll be hydrated but if she's hungry you can offer her something else. Also, she's old enough to make it through the night without eating. Once again, I would try water. But that's just me! :)
Good luck!

My son goes through stages where sometimes all he wants is milk and hardly any food and then he'll want a ton of food and no milk. I've always just gone with his schedule and then he evens himself out to where he'll eat and drink normally. He has also never been a very good sleeper. To try to get him to sleep, I usually let him have a little snack before bed, usually part of a banana and some milk, and that tends to fill him up and he'll sleep.

Although the baby food is still fine for her to eat, I'd probably try getting her to eat table food. It will save you a lot of money and will help your daughter have new flavors to try and hopefully spark her interest more in food. If your daughter is thirsty, I'd give her something to drink. Drinking some extra milk for a few days is not going to hurt her. If she continues to not want food when you offer it to her, then you probably need to talk to a doctor again. If you're worried about the fat content in the milk, you might want to try 2%.

This might not be well received, but I'll say it anyway. There will always be studies on both sides of the fence about using cow's milk, whether is it beneficial or harmful, so whatever you choose, don't worry about it. I've been drinking cow's milk since I was a baby and I am perfectly healthy. So are millions of other people. I don't feel like preaching on here, otherwise I would go on, but don't let someone tell you that you aren't feeding your child in a healthy manner. You are doing just fine and keep it up!

16 oz does not seem like a lot for a growing tot!! I would try maybe giving her milk with ovaltine which has lots of vitamins and minerals or even supplement with pediasure too or even carnation instant breakfast as her milk. I would think that if she isnt eating enough that giving her even whole milk will be good for her to have. Milk...it does a body good.

It's absolutely still okay to continue the stage 3 baby foods! Many times that is the only way they will get the nutrients they need! Many babies this age refuse a lot of regular table food, especially real vegetables, so if they still like the stage 3 foods, use them! They are great supplements! Mine is 13 months and she eats a combination of baby food and table food, but she likes baby food best of all and practically inhales it. I still give her the baby oatmeal too instead of adult oatmeal because it is fortified with vitamins and iron. She also loves pancakes and waffles. I give her whatever works, whatever she'll eat (healthy of course, not junk) to get her to eat. The doctors have told me the same thing, no more than 16 oz. of milk per day, because they will fill up on it and they won't have room for more nutritious things like food! I don't know what to tell you except to not give her more milk than that in the hopes she will eat more food instead, but I never experienced mine waking up hungry in the middle of the night as mine luckily started sleeping through the night at 8 weeks, so I never was faced with that dilemma of weaning her from nighttime feedings, so I don't know what to do there. I can't tell you to ignore her cries because I don't think I'd be able to do it. Maybe give her extra milk or better yet food before bed to fill her up so she maybe won't wake up during the night, even if it is more milk than you are supposed to give, because if you are going to give her more anyway in the middle of the night...I guess a temporary solution to get her to sleep through the night, and then later work on getting her to eat more food and less milk? anyway, good luck! Sorry I'm a little rambly, hope I've helped somewhat. Sorry, I know this is long, just one more thing - the doctor also said to feed her even less than 16 oz (2 cups) of milk a day if she is also eating other calcium-rich items like cheese or yogurt. Also consider the posts of the two responders below about the negative aspects of dairy products. (I give mine soy milk, not cow's milk). Okay, last addition - if she is still using a bottle, switching to a cup is a great plan to get her to drink less milk and then hopefully have more room for food. If she is still on the bottle, maybe the waking up at night for a bottle is more for the comfort of sucking on a bottle? Especially since you said she wakes up for just a little formula. I switched cold turkey from bottle to a straw cup with a lid when I switched from formula to soy milk, and mine eats plenty of food, and I'm guessing with the cups they tend to just drink what they need because it's less about comforting themselves like a bottle is...?

You can continue the stage 3 foods as long as she wants to eat them. There is no magic age where baby food is cut off; baby food is actually very healthy for her! As far as the milk goes, I would listen to her dr about the amount of ounces per day. You don't want her to get all her calories from milk, it can't fulfill all her nutrient requirements, and kids will get so full on milk that they won't eat other things. However, you don't want her to get dehydrated, so try to offer pediasure, a kid version of ensure. If she won't drink juice then that is a good choice. Just NO gatorade at all until she is about 8 years old: it is not good for little ones (too many electrolytes for their little bodies.) Also, to get her liquid requirements have you tried the popcicles made of fruit juice? That might be something she would love (even if she doesn't like fruit juice.) My little one who didn't like juice loved the fruit juice popcicles! Or try different flavors of sherbet. I wish you luck in your journey of single motherhood. She sounds blessed to have such a caring mommy!

At a year, she should not be drinking milk during the sleeping hours? Is she still drinking from a bottle? Too much milk is not good for her and she can become anemic. I would follow the doctors lead. If she's not eating then ask him what to do. He might have some good suggestions for you.

At a year old, my daughter was eating whatever I ate - just mashed or cut up into sizes she could manage. I gave her as much whole milk as she wanted, and it didn't seem to do her any harm.

Okay, the woman below seems confused. Your daughter needs DAIRY. Dairy has fat in it, and that fat is needed for brain development. (Dairy in adults should be consumed in moderation). The calcium can be given in other things, but there is a reason she is on whole milk for the first two years--the fat is very important!! Please do not switch your daughter over at this very young age to soy or anything else unless there is an allergy!! If you question, just ask your pediatrician!! good luck!!

Just another proponent here of trying her on regular foods, foods that YOU would eat. Number one, because I bet those Gerber foods are not very appetizing so maybe real foods will be more interesting to her...and number two, that will help your daughter learn how to eat the foods that will be on the table, so you don't get stuck in the trap of fixing something different and "special" for her. Gerber just WANTS you to use their foods because they can make a beautiful profit. Stick with your gut about the advice you get and whether or not your child is hungry and needs more food/milk or just needs some love and attention. You will know how to help your daughter best. Good luck!

Stephanie,
What is the reasoning behind your pediatrician's reccomendation to only allow your daughter 16 oz of millk a day? I've never heard of any "limit" on milk before. Is she overweight or are there lactose intollerance issues? Both of my children (ages 2 & 1) drink milk to their heart's content, and my ped has never said anything about a limit. My one year old also gets up several (3-4) times a night to nurse or have a bottle of formula and my daughter did this as well until she was about 18 months old when we switched her to water only at night.

Is you little one sleeping in your bed at night? I have found that babies who sleep in their parents bed are more apt to wake at night to nurse or bottle feed. Both of my kids slept in our bed (and my one year old still goes from the crib to our bed back and forth) and I think it's more of the baby's way of settling back to sleep than a hunger issue. However, my two have always been on the "small" side and I felt harassed by the doctors to fatten them up, so I felt like I think that you do, and wasnt in any hurry to stop the middle of the night feedings for fear of starving my children.

IMO, you are not going to hurt your little one by giving her the milk that she is wanting. Sometimes kids will be picky and only eat or drink what they want, and I think as parents, it's our job to be flexible and understand that it is only a phase and that they wont die from not eating their vegitables for the night, know what I mean? It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job of raising your baby girl- dont second guess yourself!!!

She should have 4 servings of dairy a day, for a child under 4, that's 4oz of milk, ice cream or yogurt, or 1oz of cheese, so, the pediatrician is right, no more than 16oz milk...they need nutrients from other things...the milk only provides very limited amounts of things other than calcium and fat. Try giving her milk in a sippy just before your bed-time routine, if she wakes offer her some crakers and water, she really shouldn't wake at night hungry, she should only wake out of habit and a sip of water should be it and back to bed at this age. Stage three is fine as long as she wants it, but finger foods and a set meal/snack time will help her realize when it's time to eat and drink. I made a big deal out of the night-time sippy because we both had a glass of chocolate milk, then we took our vitamins, brushed our teeth, read a book and went to bed...It helped her stay fuller and when she woke in the morning she wasn't nearly as grouchy.

If that's all she will eat is stage 3 foods then let her have them. I have.a 13 month old and I give her stage 2 and 3. She will eat some Graduates and some Table food but I want to make sure she is full. I still breastfeed so I am not sure how much milk she gets and she still wakes up at night as well. I wouldn't worry about it, feed her what she likes and worry about switching later. Emma still gets cereal in the morning for breakfast. That's what she likes and I know she gets "satisfied" when she eats it. Let me know what you decide.

I agree with other posters who say feed her real food. My almost 14 month old just eats what ever we're having cut into small pieces that she feeds to herself. But if she still likes the stage 3 foods do those too.

I am still using a bottle and using formula. My baby was a month early and weighed just 17 lbs at 13 months. I didn't think she was eating enough calories in food to go straight to milk. But over the past month she has been eating more solids and has been sleeping better at night because of it I think. But if she wakes up I feed her. Period.

Toddlers are so much fun, it's sad when they push their limits and we have to say no. I have been through this with James. He is still drinking about 16-24 oz. of 2% milk a day. He went on 2% at 2yrs. He usually eats anything I put in front of him but is starting to like and dislike different foods.

Now, on the other hand, K is 5 yrs. old and is the pickiest eater in the world. She has a Geographic Tongue and her Pediatric Dentist in OKC said food tastes and feels different to her. I fixed hamburger patties last night with garlic powder, Worcestershire Sauce, and a minimal sprinkle of salt. We had oven steamed rice and applesauce with them. K gagged on the food and just wouldn't eat it. My husband ended up fixing her a couple of small flour tortilla's with Colby Cheese melted on them and then later she had a P B and J sandwich. She gets milk at Head Start with her lunch and then has chocolate milk with her evening snack. She eats enough from the dairy group with her regular diet with cheese and yogurt.

Now, back to J. I let him have as much milk as he wants to drink because I don't want him to get too dehydrated and milk is his favorite. I don't allow him to carry a drink around, he has to sit in my lap or at the table so he tends to sip it over a period of time then run off to play. The only thing that happens if he drinks too much milk is his poo stinks really bad. But within a day or two he is back on food with a vengeance. He drinks water from a water bottle, Juicy Juice straight up, very little pop or Koolaid.

As for purchased baby food, millions of children are raised on these foods every year and they are fine. I added table food earlier than you did because I have worked in Child Care over 15 years total and it is so much easier to just cut stuff up with my Pampered Chef Food Chopper or with a couple of knives, no bigger than 1/4" until she's chewing food really well then 1/2" pieces. It has become a habit to just scoop some out and put it on the cutting board and chop it up. When I am feeding J now I tend to just use a couple of knives and let the pieces stay a bit bigger, he can eat them okay now. But for Kr, who is 15 months, I chop her stuff up well.

I am putting in a few of my most favorite web site links:

http://www.babycenter.com/toddler

http://familyfun.go.com/

http://www.highlights.com/

http://www.menus4moms.com/

And finally my 2 favorite cookbooks for the little ones:

Idiots Guide to Feeding Your Baby and Toddler

Baby and Toddler Meals for Dummies