Toddler prefers milk to food

[bumpy]

Went the whole baby led weaning route but my little man has decided he most certainly prefers milk to food. Currently 15 months and although will eat a small breakfast & lunch more often than not won't eat dinner. Probably has about 32oz milk a day! Have tried cutting down on the daytime milk but he just has more at bedtime and I give in to that as he's a good sleeper and don't want to ruin that.

Should I be concerned? Any tips to encourage him?

[Fuschia]

Not sure you worrying about it will make much difference. Does he have the milk from a bottle?

I think TOO much milk can affect iron levels but I'm sure his consumption will drop in time. Perhaps for daytime milk you could water it down? When does he have this milk.. before naps, at meal times, constant small drinks? Does he drink water too?

[Fuschia]

THis is cows milk rather than formula or breastmilk?

[bumpy]

Thanks Fuschia, to be honest up to now I wasn't worrying about it as thought we'd just go with the flow, not make a scene over meal times & he'd drop it when ready (like his morning nap which he can't seem to manage without either...!) But then I heard about the iron concern.

Yep gave up breast feeding when he was 1. His morning & daytime milk is from his NUK beaker but with a teat as he refuses the beaker top! Then his bedtime one is from the bottle. I also tried moving him on to a non spill beaker but he refused that too. He drinks lots of water and will happily take that from his non spill beaker. Milk is first thing at 6.30/7am ish then again at 0930 when he has a 30 minute nap, 1pm ish before his afternoon nap, then 3.30pm and 6.30pm

It's not like he's fussy about certain foods and for example only wants yoghurt as he'll happily turn that down too. He's just not that interested in food full stop.

Mary, Mary quite contrary. :)

[Fuschia]

Well past one all my (still bf) children fed more often than that and probably as much in quantity. Up to 32oz is recommended for under 1s.

I would try not to stress too much, never serves a purpose. If he has iron rich foods as far from the milk as possible (milk with meals reduces iron absorption, vit C with meals increases it) then you'll be doing your best.

Maybe keep trying to reduce the amount bit by bit... or a change of routine so he doesn't look for the milk at a particular time. I'd guess that bottle at 3.30 is affecting his eating at dinner time.

I doubt you will get mnuch further through the year without it changing. Is he walking? Bet if you start getting him outside in the afternoons over the Summer he will lose interest a bit.

Perhaps get him a new cup with a straw and give him water with an ice cube in, whne it gets warmer. Something else for him to get excited about.

[GinaG3]

My daughter was always a milk baby. Even at 2 years I was still feeding her as if she was newborn. She absolutely fine, was still growing healthy and everything. She'd snack during the day a bit but usually just pick at meals. We stopped feeding the night before her birthday and the step from so much milk to all food was nonexistent. She didnt even realise she wasn't taking milk but getting everything from food. She eats very well, has finished dinners every night and is generally a lot less fussy with what she will eat. Please don't let it worry you. She will find her own way, just keep offering her nice healthy snacks and interesting dinners. We started teddy bears picnics, I'd make faces on pitta bread with raisins and apple and philidelphia, or spread tomato puree and grate cheese on a pitta and make a little pizza.

Me and all my siblings were never even weaned till we were 1y+ we never actually fully established solids in our diet until we were around 18-24m. I don't think its uncommon in children either. When you think milk is all they know from the beginning until they are sometimes upto a year old. It takes time to encourage toddlers, but you will get there in the end. I assure you. P.S I know its hard but try not to worry too much.

[bumpy]

Turns out he was just full up on milk! Sat down and realised he wasn't actually asking for the daytime milk it was just a habit we'd fallen in to so didn't offer the 9.30am or the 3.30pm one day and he didn't mind BUT did eat lunch and dinner. :)