My son has recently decide he doesn't like to drink milk. He says he drinks milk at School during lunch but refuses to drink it at home. I do buy him danimals and other yogurt and he eats plenty of cheese (not too much, don't want him constipated). I don't want to give him chocolate or other flavored milk because too much sugar, besides the fact that he doesn't like chocolate milk?? (even the danimals is more sugar than I like him to have because diabetes runs in the men in my husbands family).
Anyone have any other suggestions for getting him to drink milk or just get enough calcium.
I agree with the other posts...it's not necessary. My pediatrician said people don't realize how small a serving of calcium really is...and as long as you have enough vitamin d in your system to absorb the calcium, your fine.
Sorry for the late post, I hope this will help. I do agree that there are a lot of other sources of calcium and that you need to make sure that he's getting the vitamin D as well. Otherwise the calcium absorption is hindered, which is why milk/dairy products are so good for kids. Anyway, you can try making him fruit smoothies/ice cream as a snack. I've made them for my son and he loves them. I've gotten a bag of mixed frozen fruit from Sam's Club (I'm sure other stores carry this type of product). I put the frozen fruit in with some milk into a blender and when you mix it, the frozen fruit "freezes" the milk and you get an ice cream consistency. If it's not sweet enough for him, you can try adding apple or orange juice. Another idea might be to add milk to oatmeal, farina, coco wheats, etc. Good luck!
H.,
I personally wouldn't worry about it. People get calcium in so many other ways than just milk. I even had a urologist (sp) tell me not to give my son milk with dinner because it causes the need to go to the bathroom a lot, which is not what you want at night for your little ones anyway. It sounds like he eats a lot of dairy throughout the day anyway.
Is your doctor concerned. If not I wouldn't be either.
K.
There is no reason for you son to drink milk. There are plenty of other sources of calcium use those instead. None of my children drink milk but they eat yogurt, cheese, ice cream, broccoli, oj fortified with calcium and so on. I have spoken with the pediatrician about it several times and I always get the same answer, don't worry about it. As long as your son is getting calcium it doesn't matter where it comes from.
How about trying the sugar free strawberry syrup to add to milk. My kids both love it and you don't have to add much to give it tons of flavor. There's also powders you can use with multiple flavors like Ovaltine and NestQuick that are available sugar free.
Agreed with other posts, almonds and green leafy veggies are excellent sources of calcium (I know, green leafy veggies...). However, I would supplement with some cod liver oil or fish oil to up his Vitamin D intake. All kids should be getting this into their diet anyways, especially since we live with little sunlight in the winter months. Carlson's Kids or NOrdic Naturals are great brands. Next to sunlight, eggs is the next best source of vitamin D
You can also try vanilla flavored rice milk, not much more sugar and actually has more iron than cow's milk. He is telling you something, especially if his body does not want it.
J. W. MPH
Wellness Educator/Lifestyle and Wellness Consultant
give him calcium supplements to make sure he gets enough. They DO need a lot
And don't discount the chocolate being added. If you get Carnation Instant Breakfast you can do the sugar free variety if you want, but either one gives them lots of nutrients and protein. Every article and study I have read on this (and I have taken college level child nutrition classes) says that they do need the milk and adding chocolate to it is better then them not having milk.
N.
