Milk ?

[SuzySunshine]

So A has gone on a milk strike. She will only drink it through a straw when we are out at a restaurant or on her cereal in the morning.

So my question is do I put a drop of Hershey's syrup in it to get her to drink it or do I just give her water? I don't want her to get used to the chocolate but I also feel like she should drink it...

[v-girl]

I only have one kid who drinks cow milk. We usually add a little chocolate to it but he will drink it plain if we don't have any syrup. If she gets calcium and vitamin d from other sources, I wouldn't worry.

[Michele]

My kids don't really drink cow's milk. Kai does occasionally (1-2 times a month) but D has had maybe 10 times in his life. They eat yogurt and cheese and drink lots of water. I've been to several different pediatricians and non have expressed any concerns. I don't tell them about milk consumption and they never ask.

That said, if my mom makes an Instant Breakfast both boys are glued to her begging for chocolate milk. So they've had that, but I don't encourage it. I'd rather they get their chocolate in cookies and muffins and pudding.

[SuzySunshine]

Thanks ladies, she does eat a lot of yogurt and cheese so we'll just stick with water. Robert on the other hand drinks milk like its going out of style, of course I switched him to 1% (which is what DH and I drink) this week so we'll see if he sticks with it since its no longer whole.

[scrub-jay]

My dd has severe allergies against all dairy products . We give her vanilla soy milk (although it's an acquired taste) and Vitamin D supplementation. Soy milk is comparable to milk because it has vitamins/calcium added, etc... but I think the Vit D and calcium are the more important things that we get from cows milk.

[Pollyanna]

There is nothing wrong with chocolate milk and it actually has many benefits. If that is the only way she will drink milk I would let her have one cup a day and then supplement with other dairy.

[fluffhead]

we do the OJ with calcium for the kids who won't drink milk.

[peggyfromwastate]

We switched all the kids from 2% to nonfat this year-- no issues from the kids.

Dh on the other hand....

[Tenacious_D]

You are not alone...E is on a strike because we won't let him have it in a bottle...(I know he is almost 3)! We finally threw out all the bottles for both kids and E has refused milk for the past 3 days. I am actually excited because he is eating a ton more food. We are just adding more cheese, yogurt etc. I think A will be more than fine.

[Deebs]

The health educator in me has to jump in here. While white milk is preferential, there are SO many health benefits to milk, that it is more beneficial to add chocolate and make sure they get it than to avoid the sugar. That's basically the consensus that most involved in peds health have come to. You could also do ovaltine, carnation, or another chocolaty supplement to go into the milk. I would worry about vitamin D, especially considering where you live . Unless your kids are in the sunshine 20 minutes daily (without sunscreen) they have to get vitamin D from somewhere else. Milk is a great source.

[Flynn]

We do chocolate carnation instant breakfast when my youngest is being a stinker. The big kids like it too!

[samssugarmomma]

Will she drink out of a straw at home? Is it possible that she wants the novelty of the straw?

[GrayMatterWife]

When my kids won't drink regular cow's milk, I make them powdered milk. It is so gross, they happily drink the regular stuff afterwards.

Did I mention I'm evil?

[scrub-jay]

When my kids won't drink regular cow's milk, I make them powdered milk. It is so gross, they happily drink the regular stuff afterwards.

Did I mention I'm evil?

[SuzySunshine]

I've thought about giving her a straw at home and yes, I think she would drink it but then she is going to want it ALL. THE. TIME! I haven't decided which is worse giving her the straw or the chocolate. UGH!

Parenting is hard!