When does dd need cow's milk? Or other beverages?

[ammiga]

My dd just turned 2, and only drinks water and breastmilk. Until recently, she was nursing 5-7 times a day, so I wasn't worried about it. I am 10 weeks pregnant, and my supply is quickly going down the tubes... dd only nurses 3 times a day, and I have only had letdown once in the last 2 days, although milk still comes out when she nurses. I'm not sure how much longer this is going to last.

Dd eats a ton of dairy. She loves yogurt, kefir, cheese, and cottage cheese. Does she need to drink milk? Or is she getting all that she needs from dairy products? Should she be drinking something other than water? I guess I really have no idea if she needs to drink anything other than water, and if she does, what it should be. Overall, she eats a very healthy, whole foods diet. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[Red]

As long as your dd is a human child and not a calf, she never needs to eat dairy.

My kids were all dairy allergic, so I avoided it. Knowing our family history, I avoided it even while pregnant. I ate lots of deep green leafy veggies, some sardines (Oh just try them! I loved them even as a little kid!), and almonds, etc. My kids had NO dairy unti they were two or three, and then just tiny bits.

Each of them has had one cavity (no flouride either), one dd broke her arm after a bad fall. Other than that they've never had any sign of needing dairy.

If your dd is thirsty, offer her water, 1/2 juice-1/2water, a little rice or soy milk. My kids drank tea, regular old tea, or chamomile tea, or peppermint tea, even while tiny.

We dont' ever need to eat dairy. Dairy farmers are some of the hardest working people in teh world and I LOVE my half and half in my cuppa every morning, but NO ONE needs dairy. It's all a ruse propagated my the dairy industry.

(My kids in question are 19 yo twins and a 21 yo.)

[fruitfulmomma]

You can certainly offer it to her but she doesn't need it. It seems like she is already getting lots of dairy in other forms.

If you are concerned with ensuring she is getting enough nutrients, you can read the profile for whole milk here http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/d...-products/69/2 and check here http://whfoods.org/nutrientstoc.php for other foods that are dense in those nutrients.

At 2yo I would offer water mostly, whole milk if she wants it, 100% juice very sparingly (very high in sugar, water it down if you want), and maybe some decaf teas.

ETA: Rice and soy milk are both highly processed foods which contain a lot of sugars and other stuff. Unless you have a dairy allergy, I would not offer those as a replacement for dairy.

[cristeen]

I agree with the pp - since your LO is already 2, she doesn't need any sort of dairy-ish beverage. Personally, I'd stick with water, it sounds like she's already getting plenty of dairy in her diet.