How to Get Your Child to Drink Milk?

Serving healthy food to the kid is one of the top-shelf things parents have in their mind. But when has it been easy with the little ones? Veggies yuck, fruits boring and milk definitely a no! So, in this blog I will share some precious insights on ‘What to Do When Your Child Won’t Drink Milk’!

Most kids at some point or the other throw a tantrum about their food. The little ones crave the taste and the grown ones count the calories. So, how do you get them to empty the glass of milk?

But before that, is milk really that important? Let’s break it down.

Why is milk so important for your kid?

Milk is important! Especially for the kids who are at a growing stage. Their body is growing and brain developing. Their body demands all the nutrition they can get!

And what’s better than milk.

Milk provides a punch of energy along with many essential nutrients. Though it is mostly known for its truckload of calcium building healthy bones, muscles and teeth, it is rich in protein, calcium and vitamin D. 

These nutrients are extremely important for the kid especially when the kids are growing fastest. 9 to 18, they need the milk and probably the cheese, butter and yoghurt as well. If they miss the calcium in these peak years then they are at risk of osteoporosis in later years.

Also Read: What is the best time to drink milk according to Ayurveda?

How much milk should you feed?

Children over 12 months of age need two cups from the dairy cup daily. It is their main source of vitamin D and calcium. The calcium requirements go up as they age. By 4, they need two-and-a-half cups. And from 9 years or so, they would need 3 full cups of dairy cups each day!

What to Do When Your Child Won’t Drink Milk?

If the kid is not allergic and just throwing a tantrum, then you can thrust down the milk with a few smart tricks. 

Turn yourself into a wizard and disguise the milk into your child’s favourite foods.

Mix it with oatmeal and honey, cheese, cold cereals, home smoothies, puddings, kheers, halwa and other sweet dishes. Milkshakes and ice-creams are something that most kids love. But remember to keep the sweet low in the sweet dishes. 

Paneer is also a dairy product that you can feed the kid to compensate for milk. See if they love yoghurt. Many kids do love the cold tangy taste. Plus, it helps in weight loss! That should make them love the white dip!

It’s best to use low-fat options like 1% or non-fat milk.

Also Read: Here is why you should never eat fish and milk together!

When dairy isn’t an option!

Not all children throw a tantrum, and not all children fall into that wizard magic trick. Also, if you are preaching a vegan lifestyle for your kid, then milk is off the jar!

Then how do you ensure the required nutrients for your kid?

Well, milk is a tough replacement. But nothing is irreplaceable!

There are quite a few ways to manage the nutritional portion provided by milk. 

1. Soymilk

Soymilk is rich in protein. It is also a good source of calcium and vitamin D.

2. Rice milk

Rice milk is a good source of calcium and great replacement of regular milk for kids who are lactose intolerant

3. Green, leafy vegetables

Broccoli, kale, turnip greens, Choy and spinach are great sources of calcium. 

4. Nuts and seeds

Almonds and sunflower seeds are very rich in calcium. Give it to them roasted as a snack or grind them and mix them into any meal.

5. Oranges

Oranges squish vitamin C. But, that’s not it! They are very rich in calcium too. Try to give them the whole fruit though, instead of the juice.

6. Soak the sun

What’s better than some sunshine to get the required amount of Vitamin D? Take them out in the sun in the morning time to soak the vitamin. With the lockdown situation, take them to the balcony at least.

Also Read: Antiviral properties of Turmeric Milk

Ayurvedic Doctor’s Final Thoughts!

Milk is very important for your kid’s good health. The first attempt should always be to try and make them drink the milk. But if that simply does not work out, then don’t go after the costly supplements. Not even the RDA approved ones!

The next attempt should be trying to get it from other foods. If even that does not work for you then speak to a doctor before giving any supplements.