From ages 12 months to 24 months, your baby should drink about 20 to 24 ounces of milk a day, according to Medline Plus. Your baby may not be interested in milk at first, because its properties vary from formula and breast milk. You can try giving your baby an adjustment period or talking to his doctor about ways to make sure he gets the nutrition he needs.
Benefits
Milk is an important source of nutrition for your child when she is ready for it. It provides calcium and vitamin A, and most types of milk are fortified with vitamin D to help your child's body absorb the calcium. Milk also has protein and carbohydrates for energy. Whole milk contains the fat necessary to help your child's brain develop properly.
Potential Problems
When your baby is ready to make the transition to cow's milk at around 12 months of age, he may be hesitant or refuse to drink it. This may be because milk has a texture that is different from that of formula and breast milk. The taste is also different. The temperature can be unfamiliar as well, because cow's milk must be kept cold and formula is often kept at room temperature.
Expert Insight
To help your baby get used to the flavor, texture and temperature of milk, Babycenter recommends mixing the cow's milk with formula or breast milk. Start by mixing three parts formula or breast milk with one part cow's milk. After a few days, shift the ratio to two parts of each, and continue until it's all cow's milk.
Other Solutions
If your baby simply refuses to drink milk, talk to her doctor. She will need to get the nutrients and fat that milk provides some other way. Babycenter advises offering your baby milk with powdered flavoring that is low on sugar. You can also introduce dairy into other parts of her diet by giving her pudding, yogurt and soup made with milk instead of water. Your baby's doctor may suggest that you try soy milk or that you give your baby a multivitamin that can meet her needs for vitamin D.
Warnings
Medline Plus states that milk is not appropriate for babies under one year of age. Milk does not provide necessary nutrients, such as essential fatty acids and iron, to babies under one year. It also contains too much sodium and potassium, and can be difficult for your baby to digest. When your baby is old enough to drink milk, watch him for signs of a milk allergy, such as blood in stool, diarrhea, vomiting, hives or a rash. If you notice any of these symptoms, talk to his doctor.
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