My daughters (twins) are 16 months old. They have breakfast with about 8 oz of milk, lunch with 8 oz of milk, dinner with half water half juice and then around 8:30pm when they're going to bed they have an 8oz milk they go to bed with. Should I start giving them water instead of milk at the last feeding or will they one day just not want their last milk?
So, I ended up giving my girls 8 oz of milk at each feeding and then putting them to bed with a sippy cup with water. They drink water all day except for once a day with their snack they drink half water half juice. They've had a bit of a problem going to sleep though, they were so used to the milk and now with water they just dont drink it. They whine for a while then fall asleep but so far this is week 2 so hopefully they'll fully adjust soon. Thanks for all the good advice.
I wouldn't necessarily reduce the amount of milk they are taking, but I wouldn't put them to bed with milk. That is bad for their teeth, can cause tooth decay and cavities. Are they brushing their teeth? They should be. If they have to go down with something, I would definitely give them water.
Babies at that age should be getting a lot of milk - I think the recommendation is ~24 ounces-36 ounces. You'll want to double check with your pediatrician to see what they recommend.
They DO need the fat content of milk. I would ask your pediatrician at your next appointment. You can certainly get the calcium from other sources, but the fat of whole milk is still REALLY important for their brain development - which is why they need to be on breastmilk or Vitamin D milk until age 2.
Its not the amount of milk you should be worried about but rather the fact that they go to bed with milk - this causes tooth decay. Also isn't 8:30 a pretty late bedtime for 16 month olds?
For their oral/dental health they should not go to bed with a bottle of milk or juice--ever. Rots the enamel on the teeth; if they suck on the bottle after an hour or so the milk will have gone bad, so not good for their digestion and overall health.
Get their fluids in them another way during the day and help them transition to a lovie, blankie or other object to help calm them to sleep. Read Dr T. Berry Brazelton on night feedings and sleep.
I have a 12 year old that still likes her milk before bed so don't count on them not wanting it! My other daughter drank milk before bed until she was about 8 years old. But they should be drinking their milk "before" bed and not taking it "to" bed. Let them take water to bed if they have to have something. And no- 8:30 is not too late of a bedtime for 16 month olds. I never got anybody to bed before 830p at any age and we have all survivied and thrived. (And they certainly don't go to bed that early now!) Good luck!
If they have teeth than the water would be better, milk turns to sugar in the mouth and at night without brushing teeth right after this can
lead to problems.
My doctor says 24 oz. a day of whole milk. Keep the milk and if anything, do away with the juice. Although if you can keep the juice and them still drink the milk, then it's extra calories they may need. Plus it helps with digestion and the poopies.
If anything I would drop the milk at lunch time , they don't really need 8oz plus food at lunch. My daughter (19 months) has milk when she wakes and before bed , plus she has yogurt & cheese during the day.
A.,
They should be getting 1 1/2 to 3 cups of milk a day. If they are getting cheese or yogurt, then I would aim for the lower end of the recommendation. Make sure it is whole milk. They should never get more the 24 oz milk a day. you want to encourage eating food not just drinking food.
You could give them the last milk at dinner and skip the juice, they don't really need juice. and throughout the day do water when they are thirsty.
They probably will take the milk at night indefinitely if you let them. So I would drop the milk at night, tooth decay is a big problem these days. To ween them off of this, let them drink some milk then brush teeth, and them give them a bottle or a spill proof sippy with water. Then eventually you can just do the brushing teeth and a sippy of water.
Good luck,
E.
I echo Dana W. below.
Also, Whole milk....is not just for the calcium. It is because the "fat" content in it is essential for brain development as well. And whole milk is recommended through 2 years old.
Ask your Pediatrician.
Yes, one day they will not want their last milk. Each child being different.
BUT.. .as an alternative... instead of giving it to them IN bed... give it to them PRIOR to bed. And make a routine about it.
Or, use "Spiffies" tooth wipes, after their milk, to clean their teeth. www.spiffies.com or you can get it at www.amazon.com
It is a tooth wipe, for kids, that has Xylitol in it, which prevents tooth decay/rot. I use it for myself too. My kids love it.
All the best,
Susan
