How much milk for 18mth to 2 yr old?

[Rumpleteaser]

Hi, I was just wondering how much milk do you give your toddler?
My DS consistantly gets about 240ml before bed. He will sometimes get an early morning milk of 180ml if he wakes around 5am, with any luck he goes back to sleep.
He will then often go without milk during the day or only get about 100ml with breakfast, but does get other sources of calcium, such as cheese or yougurt. At day care DS sees the other babies getting milk and wants some too, so sometimes gets an extra 2 serves.

Do you think I am giving him an adeqate amout?

[onthefly]

I'm not sure they really need any particular amount at all. Yes, they need calcium, but not necessarily milk. I guess if he's happy with that amount and getting what he needs from his diet then it's all good. Errrr...so basically I don't know. My DS won't drink any at all

[AliBaby]

I am pretty sure its 500mg of calcium a day for a 1-2 yr old which is the same as half a cup of yoghurt and a slice of cheese. I dont think it would matter if they were having any more than that, (but I am no expert) it would only matter if they were having less than that as its important for the development of bones and teeth.

[Rumpleteaser]

Thanks for your replies, I think he is getting plenty, he just often askes for milk in the middle of the night or gets extra at day care, then sometimes won't eat much dinner.

[onthefly]

If it's affecting his apetite for 'real' food, then I'd cut it back. But you know his needs best

[Rumpleteaser]

The only time it really affects his appetite is when day care give him milk about 4pm. He generally doesn't bug me for milk during the day. I think he only wants it when he sees the other babies get it.

[kylieb77]

I have been told that 3 serves of any calcium in a day is enough. My DS has milk on his cereal, cheese and/or yoghurt during the day, and a cup of milk at night before bed. That seems to be doing him fine