There are much better sources of both calcium and protien than milk, such as green veggies. If you train you children when they are young, they will accept the bland and sometimes bitter flavors of fruits and vegetables. My son is 6 and LOVES spinach and asparagus. It's only when they are introduced to the processed stuff that they start to really reject it. With hormones and antibiotics being in milk, girls getting periods at 9 and boys developing breasts, the best thing you could do is to move to an enriched rice or almond milk. It has the same amount of calcium, the almond milk has the same calcium and more protien than milk. Cheese and yogurt are ok in moderation, but I think America has their vegetable and dairy ratios messed up. I mean, cheese and yogurt enriched to make you poop instead of just eating an apple. Seems like people don't think things through sometimes and companies just want to make a buck. I once read that we are the only animals that drink milk in adulthood, the milk of another animal not even our own. Kinda gross when you think about it.
A few comments to the posts below...
The milk children were drinking centuries ago was mostly raw. Pasturizing and adding antibiotics and hormones is a relaltively new thing.
24-30 oz. milk is way too much. My nutirtionist said that 1/2 the weight in oz. is what you need in water per day. So a 20 lb child needs 10 oz. water (after 1 yr old). Other than that she said 4 oz. juice and 4 oz. milk or other calcium fortified drink. When my son was 4, they said 8 oz. was the max he needed on milk and juice and that 4 oz. was better. She also said nutrition should come from food, not liquid.
After reading the responces that came in after mine, I'd like to add that pediatricians are trained to think milk is a miracle drink. Your best bet is to follow your gut. You are concerned for a reason. Do the research and feel free to ride the fence. Being on the fence is an OK place to be, especially when your children's health is concerned. My kids eat very healthy with little dairy and as a result they are more in line with the growth charts that measured our grandparents. They are leaner and never sick, ever. Neither of my children have ever had an ear infection and they are 3 and 6. Just take your time and do the research and don't allow yourself to be bullied by anyone on either side of the debate. Pray about it and come to the conclusion that works for you. It'll be the right choice if it's an open minded and educated one.