The Nursing Baby - Q&A

One Mother asks:

I have a one-year old baby girl, who is refusing cow's milk from a cup. I am still nursing her once or twice, usually early mornings (but never during the day).
She never took to the bottle, and only occasionally drinks other liquids like water or juice from the cup (usually, just a few sips). It seems as though she does not want to make the effort to sip and drink on her own.
I am worried that she is not getting enough fluids, and also not enough calcium, as she drinks less than a cup of milk a day. Please help.

Will completely weaning from the breast help?

Since she is still nursing 1-2 times per day, she is only missing out on a small amount of calcium. If she has one serving of yogurt or cheese per day, that should fulfill her requirements for calcium.

Cow's milk is not needed at all for a toddler nursing 2-3 times per day. Currently, the food guide pyramid for toddlers recommends 2-3 servings of milk per day. Keep in mind that more calcium is absorbed from human milk than from cow's milk, despite cow's milk's higher calcium content. More than 24 ounces of cow's milk is not recommended, because an excess of cow's milk contributes to iron deficiency.

Milk is a controversial issue. In the US, we have the highest recommended levels of calcium, and also the highest rates of osteoporosis. By breastfeeding, you have already lowered your chances of osteoporosis. That's because a nursing mother's calcium redeposits at higher levels during weaning than what happens to the bones of a mother who formula feeds. An excess of protein in the diet can lead to a loss of calcium, and a sedentary lifestyle can all contribute to the likelihood of developing bones loss.

In many non-western cultures, cow's milk is not a part of children or adult's diets. Lactose intolerance was simply a natural condition of all peoples until Europeans began cultivating cow's milk with the advent of wide scale farming. Many people are not adapted for drinking this fluid still. Yet our bodies are perfectly designed to drink human milk. An anti milk site of interest (we do not endorse this site) is at Not Milk.

An excellent site on nutrition for breastfed toddlers is Kelly's AP: Nutrition for Nursing Toddlers.

As for the fluids, let your daughter choose how much to drink. You cannot force fluids on her, and as long as she is not dehydrated, you shouldn't try. Food issues often begin with something small like this, and can escalate into serious problems difficult to handle. Most babies and toddlers will eat a healthy diet if you offer a variety of nutritious foods and liquids (water is excellent!). Let her take control over what she eats, you control what you offer.

As for weaning, yes your daughter will probably drink more cow's milk/water if you do. She'll need to replace what she used to get from you. Be sure you aren't weaning to "force" her to drink more - wean for your own reasons, or at her readiness if you choose. Don't wean as part of a power struggle, it will leave both of you feeling frustrated over the end of your nursing experience.

These tips are not intended to be medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider if you have questions.

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