DD won't drink milk - add something to it??

Jules122907 · April 2010

I am lucky if DD drinks 5 oz of milk a day. At her one year appt she hadn't gained any weight in a month and she is already in the 10% for weight. The pedi told us to increase good fatty foods and to try and get her to drink more milk. Her milk consumption is getting worse and sorse by the week. It was also a constant battle to get her to drink enough formula and she maxed out at 16oz a day for formula.

A friend of mine told me today when I was asking for suggestions on what to do that she added a few drops of chocolate syrup or vanilla flavoring to her little girls milk to get her to drink it. They also struggled with low weight/gaining weight and her pedi told her that milk with flavoring was better than no milk at all. Thoughts? Has anyone done this? I am considering callin gin to the pedi's office to see what they say.

jen_and_scott · April 2010

There is also a strawberry syrup if you want to try that.

Maybe try it at different temps too. Maybe she likes it warmer? That's DD's preference! GL!

violetvirgo · April 2010

Is she generally a good eater?

I would think that the milk consumption would not be a big deal since she's still drinking formula. Especially if she eats well. my DD is in the 20% for weight and maybe clears 6oz milk/day. she is a really great eater and is super active, and is growing fairly consistently (height-wise at least), just a bit slower. Her pedi isn't concerned in the slightest regarding her milk consumption or the fact she only gained 9oz from 15 to 18months.

Wally3 · April 2010

Our pedi suggested beefing up DS's snacks. SHe suggested melt cheese on an english muffin which DS loved. We also added in yogurt everyday.

SoonerMagicMama · April 2010

I'm concerned about this as well with my little 11-percentile in weight baby boy. He gets about 15 ounces of formula and now we are trying to transition to milk in a sippy and he won't finish even a cup of 2 ounces from a sippy. I have lots of questions for our 1-year appointment here in a couple of weeks.

But, a girlfriend of mine just shared that her son was in the lower percentile at his first birthday and the pedi said he needed to gain 3-5 pounds by his 18 month checkup and suggested adding whipping cream and caranation instant breakfast to his milk for the added calories. She hated doing that but he gained the 3 pounds and she dropped the milk additives and he was fine with drinking whole milk after that.

JOEBunny · April 2010

I use carnation instant breakfast for skinny man. He is 3% for weight and 75% for height. I use about two heaping regular spoons for 3 bottles a day, which ends up being about 1 serving. It is fortified, with protein and vitamins, so a little better than straight corn syrup chocolate flavoring. It comes in a lot of flavors.

ariel06 · April 2010

What about yogurt? DS isn't a big milk fan, but loves yogurt. Otherwise sometimes for special treat DS gets a little bit of chocolate milk mixed in his whole milk. Or what about making a smoothie with milk and fruit?

Wassygirl · April 2010

flavor or ovaltine is a good idea. you can also sneak milk into eggs and other foods. have you tried cereal and milk? ds loves it!

ctgrl · April 2010

Try adding some pediasure to the milk. DD liked the strawberry flavor. You don't have to add much and eventually you can keep decreasing it until she is drinking just milk

Jules122907 · April 2010

Thanks for all the responses. We already do two container of yobaby a day - one at lunch and one before bedtime and plenty of cheese. I also sneak milk in wherever I can - eggs, soup, french toast, etc.

I will try the carnation instant mix! I will feel better about that than the chocolate syrup! I really don't think she ahs gained much since her one month appt. She has gained some length but feels the same weight wise.

T1andT2 · April 2010

What about pureeing with some fresh fruits (instead of the flavor syrups).....ripe strawberries, blueberries, banana.....like a smoothie but make it with just milk instead of yogurt. or even the baby purees if the fresh gets stuck in the sippy/bottle. Does she drink with a straw yet? DS thought that was really fun when he first learned how (@11 months) and that made him drink more. Now he thinks the big boy cup is fun and likes to drink more that way....although he does tend to just pour it out sometimes! yay!

bobcatsteph · April 2010

I talked to our pedi about this at DD's 12 month appointment last week. She does not like whole milk at all. The pedi's response was that she just may not be a milk drinker. She said to try and get in two other servings of dairy a day (yogurt, cheese, etc.) and give her water when she's thirsty.

Because you're dealing with a weight issue, I would call the pedi and see what alternative foods they suggest. GL!

Alex26 · April 2010

Pediasure or ovaltine. DS is also small for his age so we are going to try Ovaltine. We've tired Pediasure in the past (chocolate flavor) and DS liked it.