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A 32-year-old member asked:

My 19 month old will not drink milk from a sippy cup? he will drink water or juice from a sippy cup. what should i do?

3 doctor answers4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Nela Cordero
Pediatrics 56 years experience
MILK IN SIPPY CUP: Try leaving the milk in the sippy cup on the table and when the baby is thirsty or wanted the milk, he will reach out for it. Don' t put any other fluids.
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Dr. James Ferguson
Pediatrics 48 years experience
What source now ?: If you continue to give him milk from a bottle because you are convinced he must have it, he will never change. If so, offer a bottle but only with water. Put the milk and other tasty things in sippy cups and be done with it. He may refuse it for weeks, but at some point he will toss the bottle and make the change.
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Dr. Johanna Fricke
Pediatrics - Developmental and Behavioral 52 years experience
Healthychildren.org: Wean from from bottle to cup as close to a year as possible; limit milk & milk products to 16-21 oz./day to avoid constipation, iron deficiency +/- anemia & poor appetite. Limit juice to 0-4 oz./day. Give milk in an open-mouth cup with meals. Sipping sugar-containing liquids off & on from bottle or Sippy cup risks tooth decay. D/C the bottles. See a pediatric dentist. Display this photo.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Johanna Fricke
Pediatrics - Developmental and Behavioral 52 years experience
Provided original answer
Tell your son that bottles are for babies, & you are giving his to a baby, whether you just pack them away or not. Let him choose colorful plastic open- moth cups, as they promote lip closure for eating & speaking. Give milk or juice only at the table with meals & snacks. Brush his teeth after meals & before sleep. Ask pediatric dentist for "yucky teeth" photo to put on the fridge as visual aid.
Dec 6, 2014
Last updated Dec 15, 2014

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