Do they actually need milk?

namara5532

I know milk has a lot of nutrients including calcium that's good for LO.  But I admit DS doesn't get much milk at all these days.  He BF once a day, and he gets a good variety of foods.  He does drink a good amount of water, and I haven't seen any problems with his growth due to his low milk consumption.

Maybe it's because he weaned himself from feedings, but I didn't feel the need to replace feedings with milk.  He gets more excited about getting juice than milk.  But everyone here seems to treat WCM the same as formula by making sure their LOs get a certain amount every day.

Am I in the minority here?  Is it mostly kids going to daycare who are getting a set amount of milk because you have to send it to daycare for them? As long as DS isn't having developmental issues, am I justified in not feeling obligated to give him lots of milk?

*note: I'm not saying I don't give my 1-year-old milk. We just don't keep it stocked often, so DS doesn't get it often.  Also, he drinks a lot of water, and he gets juice only occassionally.

namara5532

I didn't make it clear in the first post, but DS gets more water than juice.  He's not getting juice instead of milk.  It's more water instead of milk with juice maybe once a week.

namara5532

He drinks a lot of water and only gets juice like once a week.  His diet is pretty varied with plenty of dairy like cheese and yogurt.  He also likes eggs, biscuits, carrots, bananas, chicken, etc.  And those are just his favorites.  He eats a bunch, although he does have days when he refuses veggies and such, but that looks to be normal according to this board.

He's pretty smart too, so I'm not getting any indication he's lacking in anything.

MrsJetSet

Dd is on the smaller size, but her pedi recommended 20 oz wcm per day and water as requested. Realistically we probably hit about 16 oz/day. 10ish at dinner/before bed and a few other sippies throughout the day for a couple oz each. He said the whole brain development thing has been debunked but they need the fat because of all the energy they are using up crawling and running around. He said we could switch to 2 around 18 mos if we wanted.

ryry1977

My kids don't drink milk at all.  They just get lots of yogurt and cheeses to cover the lack of milk.

boilerup227

ryry1977:

My kids don't drink milk at all.  They just get lots of yogurt and cheeses to cover the lack of milk.

 

This.  Although DS still BF 4 times a day.  DS has never had cow's milk.  He gets almond milk on occasion just for "something different."  However, per my pedi and many lactation consultants that I have spoken with, toddlers need fat and calcium.  Sure, they can get this from milk but they can also get it from other sources. Sometimes milk is the easiest way to make sure LO gets the nutrients they need BUT it is certainly not the only way! 

BeachMama7693

My pedi said they absolutely DO NOT need milk, as long as they get calcium from other sources. We are the only mammals that give our babies milk from another source, so really it's considered abnormal. I really wouldn't worry about it just make sure you offer other sources of calcium.

shotzie

No, they don't need cow's milk. DD1 is allergic to dairy [and soy and eggs], so she can't have dairy in any form. She gets all the nutrients she needs from her diet. She drinks rice milk which has calcium and Vit D added. Leafy greens are also a good source of calcium. She only drinks one cup of rice milk a day. She drinks water the rest of the time.

Protein is easy: meat, beans, brown rice, quinoa, fruits and veggies have protein too, especially peas.

Fat: avocado, nuts/peanut butter [though we don't feed her nuts or peanut butter], sunbutter, cook with olive oil/canola oil, and drizzle on veggies.

If your LO eats yogurt and cheese, I really wouldn't worry about it. Cow's milk is an easy way to get nutrients, but those same nutrients are available from other sources as well.

boogerbearoriginal

LalaMama81:

BeachMama7693:

My pedi said they absolutely DO NOT need milk, as long as they get calcium from other sources. We are the only mammals that give our babies milk from another source, so really it's considered abnormal. I really wouldn't worry about it just make sure you offer other sources of calcium.

This is all true. But we are actually the only species (I think) that doesn't always nurse their young and does more parent directed weaning over child led weaning. Children really aren't meant to wean at one. Probably closer to 2 and even older in some cultures. 

My 20 month old love all kinds of milk  - breast, WCM, almond, etc. So she drinks them. If she didn't, I wouldn't force it. I have no idea how much she drinks a day. I'd say at least 8 oz but I'm not sure.  

Ditto LaLa. Milk consumption is normal and expected for young children. It shouldn't be confused with discussing the pros/cons of milk consumption as an adult.  As mammals, our young NEED milk, and for a longer period than many women nurse so we supplement with milk from other mammals. And many pediatricians are terribly uneducated in nutrition so  I wouldn't always take their word as gospel.

Also, the importance of milk is not just about calcium, but also fat, cholesterol, protein, vitamin a, folate, b12, and vitamin c.  Things that you won't see measured on a growth chart. Barring being truly malnourished, children will continue to grow even on a diet that lacks in important nutrients. Those deficiencies will show up slowly over time.

So, yes I would say they do need milk. The amount I've seen recommended is around 15oz up to age 2. So if you want to keep nursing, I would but if LO is only nursing once a day you'll probably want to add at least a little animal milk. FWIW goats milk is the most nutritionally similar to human milk but WCM is fine too.

skibunny59

DD is really not big on cow's milk at all.  I am still nursing and I am still pumping at work so she gets bottles of breastmilk while I'm at work.  My mom who takes care of her during the day says she does offer her about 2 ounces or so of cow's milk in a sippy cup with her breakfast.  She usually drinks about an ounce.  My mom offers her water in a sippy cup throughout the day.  She's never had any juice.

I don't worry about it.  If you're still breastfeeding, breastmilk is WAY better for your baby than cow's milk.  I also want to add that at our 1 year appointment my pedi didn't say a word about how much cow's milk DD should be getting.  He was very relaxed about it.

skibunny59

Booger+Bear:

LalaMama81:

BeachMama7693:

My pedi said they absolutely DO NOT need milk, as long as they get calcium from other sources. We are the only mammals that give our babies milk from another source, so really it's considered abnormal. I really wouldn't worry about it just make sure you offer other sources of calcium.

This is all true. But we are actually the only species (I think) that doesn't always nurse their young and does more parent directed weaning over child led weaning. Children really aren't meant to wean at one. Probably closer to 2 and even older in some cultures. 

My 20 month old love all kinds of milk  - breast, WCM, almond, etc. So she drinks them. If she didn't, I wouldn't force it. I have no idea how much she drinks a day. I'd say at least 8 oz but I'm not sure.  

Ditto LaLa. Milk consumption is normal and expected for young children. It shouldn't be confused with discussing the pros/cons of milk consumption as an adult.  As mammals, our young NEED milk, and for a longer period than many women nurse so we supplement with milk from other mammals. And many pediatricians are terribly uneducated in nutrition so  I wouldn't always take their word as gospel.

Also, the importance of milk is not just about calcium, but also fat, cholesterol, protein, vitamin a, folate, b12, and vitamin c.  Things that you won't see measured on a growth chart. Barring being truly malnourished, children will continue to grow even on a diet that lacks in important nutrients. Those deficiencies will show up slowly over time.

So, yes I would say they do need milk. The amount I've seen recommended is around 15oz up to age 2. So if you want to keep nursing, I would but if LO is only nursing once a day you'll probably want to add at least a little animal milk. FWIW goats milk is the most nutritionally similar to human milk but WCM is fine too.

I also wanted to add that my friend's son NEVER had cow's milk.  She nursed him until he self weaned (I think he was around 3).  He is now 5 and is a super smart kid and very healthy.  If you're only nursing once a day though and you're not pumping I do think you need something else.  If your LO won't drink cow's milk, could you offer formula?  This is what my mom does sometimes when I haven't sent enough breastmilk bottles and DD won't drink cow's milk.

tracyl0826

BeachMama7693:

My pedi said they absolutely DO NOT need milk, as long as they get calcium from other sources. We are the only mammals that give our babies milk from another source, so really it's considered abnormal. I really wouldn't worry about it just make sure you offer other sources of calcium.

I completely agree!  My LO drinks zero WCM.  He eats yogurt and cheese every day, and still BFs 2-3x per day.  I don't drink milk either - except in my coffee and occasionally in my cereal.  As long as your LO is getting calcium and vitamin D from other sources (not necessarily dairy), I don't see the need to give WCM. 

boogerbearoriginal

tracyl0826:

BeachMama7693:

My pedi said they absolutely DO NOT need milk, as long as they get calcium from other sources. We are the only mammals that give our babies milk from another source, so really it's considered abnormal. I really wouldn't worry about it just make sure you offer other sources of calcium.

I completely agree!  My LO drinks zero WCM.  He eats yogurt and cheese every day, and still BFs 2-3x per day.  I don't drink milk either - except in my coffee and occasionally in my cereal.  As long as your LO is getting calcium and vitamin D from other sources (not necessarily dairy), I don't see the need to give WCM. 

But your LO is getting BM, and likely at 2-3nursing a day a good 10-15oz or more. That is completely different from eschewing milk altogether. 

Again, milk isn't just for calcium and vit d. There is a lengthy list of nutrients in milk, especially in breastmilk. 

boogerbearoriginal

skibunny59:

Booger+Bear:

Ditto LaLa. Milk consumption is normal and expected for young children. It shouldn't be confused with discussing the pros/cons of milk consumption as an adult.  As mammals, our young NEED milk, and for a longer period than many women nurse so we supplement with milk from other mammals. And many pediatricians are terribly uneducated in nutrition so  I wouldn't always take their word as gospel.

Also, the importance of milk is not just about calcium, but also fat, cholesterol, protein, vitamin a, folate, b12, and vitamin c.  Things that you won't see measured on a growth chart. Barring being truly malnourished, children will continue to grow even on a diet that lacks in important nutrients. Those deficiencies will show up slowly over time.

So, yes I would say they do need milk. The amount I've seen recommended is around 15oz up to age 2. So if you want to keep nursing, I would but if LO is only nursing once a day you'll probably want to add at least a little animal milk. FWIW goats milk is the most nutritionally similar to human milk but WCM is fine too.

I also wanted to add that my friend's son NEVER had cow's milk.  She nursed him until he self weaned (I think he was around 3).  He is now 5 and is a super smart kid and very healthy.  If you're only nursing once a day though and you're not pumping I do think you need something else.  If your LO won't drink cow's milk, could you offer formula?  This is what my mom does sometimes when I haven't sent enough breastmilk bottles and DD won't drink cow's milk.

But that's because that LO continued to breastfeed which is preferable to cows milk because it's the correct balance and more bioavailable. But if NOT breastfeeding, then other milk is important for all those things. People focus on one thing, usually calcium or fat, when milk provides a host of nutrients for toddlers, from wikipedia: vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, K, E, thiamine, niacin, biotin, riboflavin, folates, and pantothenic acid are all present in milk.

ETA - when I say milk, I mean any milk - human, cow, goat, etc. The percentage and bio-availability of each vitamin in various milks is different by all contain way more than just calcium.

tracyl0826

Booger+Bear:

tracyl0826:

BeachMama7693:

My pedi said they absolutely DO NOT need milk, as long as they get calcium from other sources. We are the only mammals that give our babies milk from another source, so really it's considered abnormal. I really wouldn't worry about it just make sure you offer other sources of calcium.

I completely agree!  My LO drinks zero WCM.  He eats yogurt and cheese every day, and still BFs 2-3x per day.  I don't drink milk either - except in my coffee and occasionally in my cereal.  As long as your LO is getting calcium and vitamin D from other sources (not necessarily dairy), I don't see the need to give WCM. 

But your LO is getting BM, and likely at 2-3nursing a day a good 10-15oz or more. That is completely different from eschewing milk altogether. 

Again, milk isn't just for calcium and vit d. There is a lengthy list of nutrients in milk, especially in breastmilk. 

I agree - calcium and vitamin D are just most commonly associated with WCM.  I think the important thing is that they get the recommended servings of dairy - meaning WCM, breastmilk, yogurt, cheese, etc (or other non-dairy sources if vegan).  The point I was trying to make (though not very well..:) ) is that WCM isn't necessary as long as they are getting the nutrients from other sources.  When I completely wean my LO, I don't plan to replace his BF sessions with WCM.  I will make sure he's eating yogurt, cheese and other foods to ensure he's getting all of the nutrients he needs.  If he wants WCM, I certainly won't say no...but I'm not going to push it on him. 

cecilyandgautam

Other than breastmilk, there isn't really any one single food item humans need to thrive, and even then, there's a substitute as we all know. We're omnivores, so there are many different diets we can thrive on. However, many things young children need are easily found in milk. So if you're skipping dairy, for whatever reason, then be very thoughtful about the food in your kid's diet because there's a lot to make up for - others have already listed the many benefits of milk, but of course people who are allergic find a way around it. It just takes some research and some intentional food planning. 

~ Still breastfeeding 3-6xday and offering at least 12 oz of goat's milk a day to a daughter allergic to cow's milk

namara5532

Glad to see I'm not the only one who isn't giving a steady stream of WCM. DS does BF 1 or 2 times a day, but he does get lots of cheese and yogurt. He drinks water most of the time, and I switch up meals to get a good mix of nutrients in him. WCM is a good drink of course, just not the staple item in his diet. Thanks for the discussion. :