Hello!

Please help me. My 12 mth old is only having short 2-5 min feeds from one breast only about 4-5 times a day. When he sees me drinking water he wants some too. So i have given him water in a bottle which he has increasingly drank from over the past 2 months while we have been on an overseas holiday. I have tried giving him goat milk and rice milk but am reluctant to give him cows milk as it makes me very mucousy. I feel he is drinking too much water and it isnt filling his belly the way milk would not to mention the calcium he is missing. He has 5 meals a day. Bfast, lunch dinner and morn and afternoon snacks. I want to fully wean him but not sure how and reluctant till he is taking other milk. Please help!


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  • Relax mum ! Toddlers are very good in emptying the breast on a short time. He still comes regularly for a drink and by that age solids and some water makes it really sufficient. I really wouldn’t worry.


  • It is often hard to get kids to drink water, so its great that your child already drinks lots. Sounds like he is getting lots of nutrients through other meals, but you could incorporate some milk into those meals – like porridge made with the milk, creamy pastas. You could also try making smoothies and see if he like it that way, or children also like drinking it from different vessels like straws, character cups etc – then they are distracted by that and not focusing on what they are drinking – obviously this is only a temporary distraction.


  • I wouldn’t stress at 12 months he will be getting nutrients from other food sources drinking water is a good thing!


  • I wouldnt worry too much, as long as he is having milk in his meals. Milk on cerals, yogurt or custud. My daughter stopped drinking as much straight milk around 12 months too, but eventually she started again.


  • Continued….. Sorry I also forgot to add he might be full and just really thirsty. He will get more for a cup of water than from breast in a shorter period in the amount received. Embrace his love for water! It I a rare thing for kids to love water. I hope you find an answer that suits.


  • He might be ready to move on from milk. Water is the best thing for us I guess so why not try a vitamin enriched drink fresh blended vegetable juice with spinach and things and add things that are calcium rich like lentils, nuts etc. good luck!


  • How about adding milo to milk to make it more palatable. Make a milkshake.


  • Maybe dilute the milk with water so at least he is taking some milk?


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