What To Do When Your Child Won’t Drink Milk

Topics: What To Do When Your Child Won’t Drink Milk?

"But I don't want milk! Should I really consume it?"

Some parents fight daily to get their children to consume calcium-rich foods. Milk is known to be beneficial for bones, but is there another option? What about children who dislike or cannot consume milk due to lactose intolerance?

Pediatrician David Shafran, MD, is able to comprehend. Here are the five most important points he wants parents to know about milk, calcium, and assisting children develop robust bones.

Here we discuss about What To Do When Your Child Won’t Drink Milk? And why Milk is essential to your child?

1. Every child needs calcium

There is no avoiding it. "Calcium is extremely important for bone development, especially between the ages of 9 and 18," Dr. Shafran says. "In their 20s, their bone mass will reach its maximum. The sturdier their bones when they are young, the lower their risk of developing osteoporosis later in life."

According to the National Institutes of Health, the daily calcium requirements for adolescents are as follows:

• Under 6 months: 200 mg.
• 6-12 months: 260 mg.
• 1-3 years: 700 mg.
• 4-8 years: 1,000 mg.
• 9-18 years: 1,300 mg.

Calcium is also necessary for adults (1,000–1,200 mg per day), but only to replenish bone that naturally deteriorates with age. After puberty, bone strength cannot be increased, regardless of the amount of calcium consumed.

2. Milk and other dairy products are the best sources

Dr. Shafran states that milk, yogurt, cheese, and other dairy products are the finest and most convenient sources of calcium. A cup (8 oz) of milk contains approximately 300 mg of calcium. Therefore, three glasses of milk per day can bring adolescents close to the recommended daily allowance.

"Even chocolate milk counts," explains Dr. Shafran. "Ice cream counts, too."

3. You can get calcium from nondairy foods

For children who are lactose intolerant, lactose-free milks, such as soy and rice milk, are excellent calcium sources. Some verdant, leafy vegetables and calcium-fortified orange juice contain calcium, which is nearly as bone-building as milk.

Examine the calcium content of these foods:

• Yogurt, plain, low-fat (8 oz.): 415 mg.
• Mozzarella cheese (1.5 oz.): 333 mg.
• Yogurt, fruit, low-fat (8 oz.): 313-384 mg.
• Cheddar cheese (1.5 oz.): 307 mg.
• Milk, nonfat (8 oz.): 299 mg.
• Soy milk, calcium-fortified (8 oz.): 299 mg.
• Milk, 2% (8 oz.): 293 mg.
• Milk, whole (8 oz.): 276 mg.
• Orange juice, calcium-fortified (6 oz.): 261 mg.
• Salmon (3 oz.): 181 mg.
• Cereal, calcium-fortified (1 cup): 100–1,000 mg.
• Turnip greens (½ cup): 99 mg.
• Kale (1 cup): 94-100 mg.
• Ice cream, vanilla (½ cup): 84 mg.
• Bread, white (1 slice): 73 mg.
• Broccoli (½ cup): 21 mg.

Also read: Is custard a good source of proteins?

4. Calcium supplements usually aren’t necessary

Dr. Shafran states that he rarely recommends calcium supplements for children. Because so many foods are fortified with calcium, it is difficult to avoid consuming it.

The same holds true for vitamin D, which aids in calcium absorption. While many adults take vitamin D supplements, children typically get enough from vitamin-fortified foods or from daily exposure to 5 to 10 minutes of sunlight.

Under one-year-olds should consume approximately 400 IU of vitamin D per day. After the age of one, this recommendation is increased to 600 IU.

"Sunlight exposure for 5 to 10 minutes two or three times per week, ideally between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., provides 3,000 IU of vitamin D," explains Dr. Shafran.

5. Weight-bearing exercise is just as important

Diet is not the only factor in bone development and growth. Dr. Shafran emphasizes the importance of physical activity, particularly exercise that stresses the muscles and bones. Included in weight-bearing exercises are:

• Lifting weights.
• Walking.
• Running.
• Jumping.
• Climbing.
• Dancing.

According to the National Institutes of Health, children and adolescents should engage in at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity and three days per week of weight-bearing exercise.

If your children have a beef with milk, you need not fret. They can still obtain calcium from alternative sources and fortify their bones through weight-bearing exercise.

Assisting your child or adolescent in developing bone-healthy practices now can help them create a robust future.

Hope you have got your answer for the question What To Do When Your Child Won’t Drink Milk?