My Toddler Does Not Drink Milk and is a Picky Eater
My son is 2 years and 9 months and it's been a month now that he does not drink pure milk. I tried to look online for what can be given to him as alternative and I found yogurt and soya products. Now he's taking yogurt milk and probiotics. I give him vitamins and mineral supplements prescribed by his pediatrician. Although I have read that cow's milk is not actually good for children I still worry that he does not get enough nutrients. He's a picky eater. He does not want vegetables but he likes all fruits.
Can you please give me some tips on how to make him eat nutritious foods? When he does not want to eat, we cannot force him because he will cry and vomit if we do.
Tennessee
10/03/2015
Dear Aronmor,
I have adult children who are very healthy and almost never drank milk once they were weaned. They really couldn't tolerate it. Yogurt is great. And fruits are very nutritious. Toddlers often do not eat a lot and that is okay.
You are right - do not force him to eat. Do continue to put small amounts of new foods on his plate but don't make a big deal out of it, even if he doesn't eat them.
I would not give fruit juice to drink. Water is fine for children who do not drink milk. Fruit juice fills them up a surprising amount and can affect their appetite. Just let meal time be a pleasant family time and he will likely increase what he eats on his own.
~Mama to Many~
Ireland, Dublin
02/15/2016
Thanks for the reply! We've been giving him yogurt milk with fruit juice and he likes it but he still does not eat full meals regularly. Do you think the fruit juice content is messing with his appetite?
I just found an article about milk substitutes like coconut milk, rice milk, and almond milk.
Have you tried any of them?
