Can you explain why children should only have a certain amount of milk?

I'm having a very hard time with DH and MIL sticking to the amount of milk. When he asks for more, they just give it to him. (He asks for a TON!) And such drama occurs when I give him water.

He was born a big boy and I was told I didn't feed him enough. Now he is tall and skinny and I'm told I'm not feeding him enough.

He can't have 40 oz of milk per day.

Help me explain to them without just saying 'the dr says so'.

TIA!!!

Re: Can you explain why children should only have a certain amount of milk?

Too much milk inhibits the absorption of essential vitamins. He could go into a serious nutritional deficiency if he drinks too much milk

Re: Can you explain why children should only have a certain amount of milk?

Our ped told us DD shouldn't really have more than 24oz of milk/day (she is 13 months)...I think to make sure is also eating a variety of other things throughout the day and not just milk.

Re: Can you explain why children should only have a certain amount of milk?

We have some family members that are not happy with the amount DS gets (not enough in their opinion)...yes milk is linked to providing nutrients that are helpful in development however giving a child a gallon a day does not make them any more healthier or smarter than the 12 - 16oz doctor's recommend (personal vent )

Here's the thing...overall the calories are not necessary at 40oz....he should be filling his stomach with a variety of other foods...all that milk fills him up and prevents him from eating the foods that he needs....and if he is still eating those foods...then we're talking bad habits....he's being taught to increase his intake because of availability...know what I mean?

Re: Can you explain why children should only have a certain amount of milk?

Posted by Bxgell2

Too much milk inhibits the absorption of essential vitamins. He could go into a serious nutritional deficiency if he drinks too much milk

Re: Can you explain why children should only have a certain amount of milk?

Too Much Milk is Too Much of a Good Thing
We all know that milk is good for children, but it is also true that too much milk can be dangerous for your child. Many toddlers get attached to milk because it has been their main source of nutrition since birth. While you want to encourage your toddler to continue drinking milk, if he is getting much more than the recommended daily amount it may be time to change his milk drinking habits.

How much is too much milk?

Toddlers should have 16-24 ounces of milk (or 3 servings of dairy) per day. From the ages of one to two, children should be given the recommended amount of milk in the form of whole milk. After the age of two, the majority of your child's calories and fat should be coming from other foods in his diet. At this point it is recommended that parents make the switch to 2% or skim milk. If your toddler is regularly consuming more than 24 ounces a day, he may be drinking too much milk.

What are the consequences of drinking too much milk?

One of the common problems that can be caused by your toddler drinking too much milk is constipation. If your child is drinking more than the recommended amount, and is suffering with constipation, milk may be the culprit.

Too much milk is often the cause of iron deficiency anemia in toddlers. While milk is a great source of many nutrients, too much milk can make it harder for your child's body to absorb iron. The iron deficiency is often made worse by the fact that toddlers who drink too much milk often don't eat as much, so they may not be getting enough iron in their diets anyway.

Depending on their size, toddlers may need around 1,300 calories a day. Considering eight ounces of milk contains 150 calories, you can see how easily a toddler who drinks too much milk could get too full to eat a balanced diet. Milk is important, but too much milk will probably lead to deficiencies in other areas of your child's diet.

Re: Can you explain why children should only have a certain amount of milk?

Thanks ladies!! I am printing these things and laminating them when I see MIL this weekend.

I pretty much was saying all these things, by pulling them out of my a$$, but I like the official stuff. I was never a fan of Biology.

Trust me, I am the primary caregiver and he does NOT get 40oz of milk. He gets about 24oz with me. I just said that they would give him that amount if I let them. And since MIL is watching him on Sunday, I need to be ready.

The problem is that they ONLY give him milk to drink. He whines: bottle of milk. He goes to the fridge: bottle of milk. He pees: bottle of milk. He ate a cookie: Bottle of milk. You get the idea.

Thanks!

Re: Can you explain why children should only have a certain amount of milk?

I would explain to them that the reason they shouldn't have too much milk it two fold. First, the more milk they drink the less solid food they eat - which in turn results in their getting fewer vitamins and nutrients that they need that they got while on formula or BM but whole milk does not have. Second, apparently it inhibits the body from absorbing the vitamins that they do need.

I think they recommend 16-24 ozs a day.