Son OBSESSED with Milk

I would give him the milk.

I think the dentist tooth thing is for parents who give a child a bottle in the middle of the night and let them suck on it as they please.

why don't you just have him brush his teeth afterward. i am sorry i am a milk lover also. and i am 29 and still wake up sometimes and want milk. my husband gets frusterated with me because i ask him to bring me up some when he gets off of work. at night. i don't know why if i am hungry just a little it fills me. but it also comforts me. Calms. i know that probally sounds wield. but i have two boys now who don't really like it. and my mom hated it so she did not understand. but my dad was the same way and loved it also.

My son is the same way.. he LOVES milk. Thats all he really drinks by choice. But I do give him water also, but now his new thing is if it is water then it has to be bottled water...he is freaking 4! Anyway it could be worse.. my sisters kids NEVER liked milk and would puke at the taste of it, they drank nothing but watered down juicy juice and it totally rotted their teeth really bad, at least it is something healthy

make the milk less every night. weaning him off will help.

It sounds like this has become a bad habit it has gotten. And he knows if he throws a big enough fit you'll give. Kids are very smart about that even at this age. Unfortunately the more you let this go on the harder it's only going to get to break it. Since he is potty trained and has proven he will get up at night to potty. I would put a cup of water (small cup) on a bedside table and tell him this is all he gets for the night. Otherwise he has to wait until breakfast and it will be hard for awhile to fight it, but it's just like anything else...you have to stick to your guns or they quickly learn how to manipulate you to get what they want.

First let me say that I have never dealt with this issue with my children. If I were going thru this, though, I might try making a rule about only having water from a certian time at night until a certian time in the morning. Maybe get him an alarm clock that has two settings, and set it to go off at the specified times, so he will know. At first I would probably remind him 10-15 min before the alarm will go off in the evenings, just so he has a last chance, but after a while I would bet he will start to know when it is almost time.

Whatever you decide to do, the most important thing is to stick with it-the first few days/weeks will be the hardest, depending on how strong willed your son is, but once he knows you will stand your ground he will accept it...at least that is the theory.

Good luck
~J.

T.,

Stop stressing and just give the little guy milk when he wants it. Maybe he has developed a bit of a habit, but how many habits you had when you were 3 do you still have? Read this board and learn how many BAD habits he could have and you'd need to try to fix, like still needing potty training, peeing on the floor, still having a pacifier, sucking his thumb, pulling out his hair, waking you 47 times a night, bothering his brother every night. At least milk is good for him, has nutrition and helps with body development.

Promptly give him his milk, no drama, and then get him in the habit of brushing his teeth every morning as soon as he gets up "for real."

Best wishes,
K.

Awww...having just come back from a wellness visit yesterday, I would have to say your son's bones will thank him some day:) It doesn't sound like drinking excessive milk is really the problem. It's sounds more like a matter of sleep schedule being interrupted...which is far worse. Being a married, working mom of two daughters, 9 and 14, I appreciate your need for rest...You gotta have it!

Now granted, we have always had a king-sized family bed where each of our daughters has slept with my husband and I, probably too long. (First daughter was 8 when she finally gave it up. Second daughter is 9 and has just spent the third night in a row in her own bed.) I can't believe how much more rested I've been. Anyway, this is about you. I am an elementary teacher.

I would suggest that you look at his bedtime routine. Does he have a set time? Does he get milk before he goes to bed? Now, the tough part is when he wakes up and he wants milk. Here is where you may have to "suffer" and stick to your guns until a new habit is created. Our children are very smart...forget terrorists...they know our weak spots and they know how to beat us down. But we love 'em with all our heart. But, I would agree that this seems to have become a habit, and as long as you reinforce the habit, getting him what he wants, the further away from a full night's sleep you will be.

Might I sugguest adding some other variables to the sleep routine that might distract him and help him stay asleep. Sound machines work great in our house, as well as other families I know...special blanket...stuffed animal...Use a reward system...keep a calendar and set a goal (short at first and then get longer as you go). Take him to the toy store and pick out some prizes...suitable to accomplishing each goal (buy it then or come back later, whichever--(if you buy them in advance, do not give the prize UNTIL the goal is accomplished--no cart before the horse) Let him win something for the first night he goes without milk...then 3 nights...7 nights...etc...And don't forget to PRAISE! PRAISE! PRAISE!

I am a woman of faith and I believe in calling those things which are not as though they are...Believe it or not, our words frame our world. It's easy to talk the problem, but I would encourage you to talk the solution as much as is possible...begin in the morning..."tonight, little Johnny is going to go all night without needing milk until the sun comes up...and he's going to win a prize...he is such a big boy! (Yes, even at 3, I think the male ego can be stroked--no offense.)

And lastly, I will pray for you and be in agreement with you that you will get the outcome you desire. As you already know...they grow so fast...and you'll both be looking back on this some day and laughing:) God bless.

K. Tackett

I wouldn't tell him its bad for his teeth, because it really isn't! Just tell him after he drinks his milk, he can not go back to bed. I was told by my daughters dentist its fine to let them have milk, but they have to have water as well. So in the morning you tell him, if he wants milk, he can not go back to sleep. He has to have water as well. My 2year old knows that when she wants a glass of milk right before bed, that she has to brush. After she eats breakfast and has a glass of milk, she has to brush her teeth. So make him brush after he drinks the milk! 3times a day for brushing your teeth isn't a bad thing...So brush after the milk is drank. Good Luck!

My 3 girls love milk and I've counted my lucky stars because of it. It's much healthier than some of the alternatives. This could also be a blood sugar issue for your son. When my middle daughter wakes up in the morning, she is an absolute bear! If we give her a sippy cup with some milk or juice in it she is much easier to get up. We've decided that when she wakes up in the morning, her blood sugar levels are off and as soon as she gets something in her body, she feels better and looks better and is so much easier to get along with. It could be that your son feels bad when he wakes up and he knows that the milk will make him feel better, hence the behavior issues as well. It's the same as being grumpy when their hungry, it's really all about blood sugar, and they truly can't help the way they feel and act. If sleeping is the issue, try putting him to bed later or cutting out a nap, or as another mom mentioned, make him get up and stay up and he may adjust his sleep habits on his own. Good luck whatever you decide.

I am just curious, would you please write me back and tell me when milk became bad for your teeth and who told you this?
Milk was the leading source of calcium with is a necessary mineral for growth of healthy bones and teeth for all of my youth and when my children were growing up. I am 56 and the physicians I see are still recommending I drink milk products to prevent osteo.
Just curious.
I would let him have the milk and brush his teeth afterwards.

I want to reassure you that milk is not bad for the teeth unless a child falls asleep with residual milk in his mouth. The lactose (naturally occuring sugar in milk) is not as damaging to teeth as fructose in juice and a lot less damaging than any drink containing corn syrup or sugar. If your main concern is the milk hurting his teeth, then making sure he brushes his teeth before going to sleep (or back to sleep) is your best bet.

Milk also contains a nutrient that has a calming effect, thus making it a cure for many people's insomnia (a home remedy that's been proven medically to be true). Maybe your little guy knows it helps him to relax and that is why he is so insistent. Instead of battling with him, let him know that he has to brush after drinking if he's going back to sleep and the effort he has to go through to brush might start to curb his desire from wanting it during the night or really early in the morning.

Is it possible he has a calcium deficiency? Maybe that why he craves it. Im confused, why is milk bad for your teeth?

The last thing to do is to give in. This is teaching him that he is the boss because he can get you to give in. No matter how tired you are you can't give in. You need to show him who's boss. Don't go downstairs make him stay upstairs no matter how much of a fit he throws. Put him back in his bed and make sure he knows he is to stay there. The best thing to break him of this habit is to not give in to him. As far as it goes with milk too much can be bad for teeth. You need to stand firm with him and whatever you do don't give in!
D.

I am 31 and have been married for almost 12 yrs. My husband and I have 3 boys ages 10,7, and 4.

Hi T., it could be that the milk actually fills his tummy and he has gotten used to that at certain times. You might try watering it down or giving him a little less each time to sort of ween him off of it at that early morning hour.

T.,

I think it sounds like you are doing a good job. My suggestion would be to choose your battles and pick your wars. This one may not be worth fighting at this point. Maybe by not making a big deal about this would take the attention away that it's giving him and you can control the amount of milk he's getting without denying him milk (or water it down gradually if he's really getting a large amount of milk in a day).

There are so many things that could be worse. This will work out fine and yes, his sleep will come and so will yours. Stay positive - praise him on things that are meaningful and one day this will be an 'Oh, remember when....?' thing.

ok, it is only bad for his teeth if he drinks it then goes to sleep without brushing his teeth. i know they could definitely get an iron deficiency from too much milk from the calcium. i would ask the dr to do a few tests just to make sure his iron and calcium levels are ok. how much milk is he drinking?

If you really don't want him to have the milk, do not cave in. I know it will be hard but it looks like this milk thing is turning into a power issue and he's winning. You have options.

Don't take him downstairs at all until you are ready, he can stay in his room and play until you come get him. He might even go back to sleep on his own.

Do go downstairs, give him the milk and start the day, don't let him go back to bed. This is tough to do, but if you really don't want him sleeping right after the milk then this may be what you have to do. He might realize that being awake and starting the day so early isn't so great.

Go down, don't give him the milk , if he pitches a fit take him to his room until he can calm down. He might even work himself up so much he'll sleep again.

Good luck, remember you are the mother, you are in charge not him.

I have a milk allergy and the funny thing about it is that if I have some I actually feel my body craving it. One of the symptoms I have had included sleeplessness. But what the other moms have said on here about the rules is definitely true. I have 4 children and am constantly finding myself getting drawn into an argument, so I feel your pain!

J.
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It takes work to get a child to mind. What you need is to get him to listen and mind whatever you are asking him to do. Let him know that he can have water in the night and that's it. I see nothing wrong with milk before bed, as long as he brushes his teeth afterward.
Whenever he fusses, gets mad, throws a fit, you should punish him- timeout, stand in corner, stay in room alone- for an hour at this age, increase it for repeat offenses. Yes, it will take a little work on your part, but after a few times, he will behave.
Good luck!

Why is milk bad for his teeth? My kids love milk and that is mostly what they drink and the twins have started trying it and they love it too. Our doctor had told us to give them milk and sometimes a little water or juice. But our dentist or doctor never said anything about milk being bad for their teeth. My daughter is 7 and drinks at least 3 16oz of milk a day still and she hasn't had a cavity.

So, if someone could let me know where it's coming from that it's bad please let me know.

Thanks

T...I just wanted to tell you that I have a 14 yr old seriously handicapped son and the only thing he drinks is milk and water. I have been told by his dentist that he has some of the whitest teeth he has ever seen(of course he doesn't eat any sweets)but milk has never been a problem for him..it is nothing for him to drink 16 oz in one sitting..so it can't be all that bad..His body might be trying to tell him and you something..Goodluck~K.