Help! Three Y/o Drinks 3 Glasses of Milk at Night...

My son was the same way. What I did was stopped milk for "snacking" throughout the day. He can have one class of milk with each meal. Which totals his need of 20-24 ounces a day. The rest of the time, it's water. Watch that this doesn't backfire though because my son also would only drink juice at about 12-15 mos. So I took it away because he wouldn't drink milk or water, now he won't drink juice at all.

Actually, you're right to be concerned, and this is a common problem with kids. If he fills up on liquids he is not only going to be lacking on nutrients from other foods, but could also have problems from too much calcium (kidney stones later in life and other stuff). The best thing to do about it- monitor closely how much he drinks over the course of a day, and say no when he reaches his limit! Kids shouldn't drink more than 20 oz a day, which is about 3 glasses (total for the day) depending on the size of the glass. Measure at first to make sure you're not over estimating.

I would say as long as he is eating a well balanced diet and still has room for the 3 glasses of milk than fine. However, if he is filling up on the milk and then not wanting to eat then I might try to serve up some other stuff first, then let him wash it down with milk. My son loves mac and cheese and would eat mounds and mounds of it if I let him. So, when he does get it, he gets about two small spoonfuls on his plate, plus veggies and a protein, that way he doesn't fill up on mac and cheese. If he asks for more before he has touched the other stuff, I say no problem just take x amount of bites of the veggie or the protein, give him a little more and so on. Maybe you could do the same. Then again, if your ped. isn't worried than maybe you don't need to be either, but if you are looking at trying to get him to eat more of a variety or more "real foods" as you stated than, give him the milk when he is done eating what you've made for dinner. You mentioned he prefers to drink his meals - perhaps you could juice veggies for him or make smoothies.
Best wishes,
M.

Just a thought, if he is favoring liquid over food that could be a sign of a health condition. Like diabetes. Be safe and go and talk with your doctor, and have him checked out.
take care
B.

It may sound strange, but children will eat or drink what their body is needing more of at the time. Mor milk at night may mean they need more of the nutrients milk has. You've heard of children eating dirt before? Well this is the same thing. Your child will grow out of it when they get the nutrients their body is craving.

J.

I'm not sure what is your concern here?
You don't want him to drink milk? Neither would I!
Just a small amount mid morning would be ample, as it's not such a great nutrient as they used to think
Almond milk is better, and just a glass or so in the day time?

If you don't want him to have milk at night why are you giving it to him?
Is he hungry?

Does he like soup? Smoothes? Juiced veggies / fruits?
A LOT or water is needed so make sure he has this all day long and to to help him swallow food.

Is he having this in a fave cup?
Put water in it! male a good a good story as to why the change and stick to it. Lots of praise!

Hope this helps!

My pediatrician friend says 16-20 oz of milk is sufficient enough in a day. That leaves room for other good foods during the day.

That would be my son at that age--he's now 7 and won't drink milk to save my life!! Please read the book "Just Take a bite"--it has really good advice on food introductions, etc. But nutritionally, honestly he's probably doing fine. I'd be slightly worried about iron intake--will he take a multivitamin with iron? My son won't due to the taste--so it's red meat at least 1x/wk (burgers!) :) Good luck and hang in there!

My big girl is also 3 1/2. How is he potty trained if he's drinking at night? Sorry to say it but, you don't give it to him at night. During the day if he wants lots of milk fine but at the table with his meals he should eat a few bits before getting anything to drink.

My middle child was the same when it came to milk! I just gradually decreased it. Maybe try cutting back a 1/3 cup at a time, only filling his cup 2/3. Try finding his favorite healthy foods to eat and give him those. Bargain with him saying that he can have his milk after he takes three bites, etc. He will be just fine in time! Don't worry too much.

P.S. My children (9,6,& 4)still like their before bedtime drink of milk. We just cut off fluids an hour before bed.

You may want to have him checked for diabetes if he's drinking all the time.

We make our kids take a "no thank you bite" of everything. That means that they have to take at least one bite of each food before they can say "no thank you" to it, even if they've had it before. And they have to sit at the table until we excuse them. Usually they get bored just sitting there and will eat some more. We also don't allow beverages until AFTER dinner is over. Cow's milk is way too high in protein, calcium, and sodium, not to mention cholesterol and fat (if it is 2% or higher) to make it a decent substitute for food in a 3.5 year old. It can put him at serious risk for kidney stones. Water is better as a beverage. Hope this helps.

My son would drink a TON of milk, but would also eat. When I started taking issue with his fluid intake was when he was setting through his diaper every night.

What I started doing is telling him he could only drink milk at the table (and juice, but that was never a HUGE issue).My DS is also 3 1/2 and hasn't had milk before bed in about 6 months. (Okay, on occasion, when we have an early dinner, he still gets milk before he brushes his teeth and goes to bed, but that is rare.)

He was at one point drinking two 8 or 9oz cups of milk before falling asleep, then asking for another at about 4am. The first 2 weeks of "No bedtime milk" were hard! I HATED THEM! I Wanted to give in! Sleep was so much better than fighting! But... now it's a non-issue. He is allowed to have as much water as he wants up until about 7:00 pm (We are all night owls, so he is up until at least 9:30 most nights), then only little sips if he REALLY needs them. I have a cup of water I keep next to the bed for myself, and he will sometimes wake up and come ask for a drink of it. I won't let him have his own, because of the night time peeing.

Hi N., I would try some different foods that maybe you haven't tried, finger foods he can fed himself, as moms we always worry that our kids are not getting enough nuetrician, I know I did too, You can always try him on pedisure for kids who don't eat right. J.