Not enough milk?

[cmsmama]

My DS is a very active 14 months old and  I am not sure if he is getting enough milk.  He nurses well in the evening, morning, and occassional middle of the night feedings (averaging about every other night - so approx. 2 1/2 feedings per day), but is too "busy" the rest of the day to nurse.  He has gone to day care 4 days a week for the past 2 months, and has decided that he no longer wants to take a bottle during his time at daycare (we've tried expressed human, goat, cow, formula, soy, etc...).  And, even when I have days off, he's really too busy to be bothered nursing except in the times I've mentioned - basically when it's dark out. 

My gut is telling me that his body truly knows what it needs, and if he doesn't want much milk, he'll be okay.  There are no indications that he's malnourished, and he seems to be following his growth line.  But, there is no way he's getting the traditionally recommended 16 oz. per day.  I've read some mainstream sites where people recommend strawberry or chocolate milk if their child refuses milk, but that seems wrong to me for so many reasons - unnecessary sugars, tricking him into taking something he doesn't really want, and then the whole question of if we should be drinking cow's milk anyways. 

But, still, I am concerned that if my "gut" is wrong, if 2 1/2 BF sessions per day isn't sufficient, that he could become malnourished, brain development could be impeded, or growth of some sort impaired.  Does anyone have advice after raising toddlers that didn't desire much milk? 

Thanks!

[CheriK]

I've heard that 4 nursings a day is considered "enough," but that's talking about the fats, proteins, and minerals in milk that your DS needs.  If he's getting healthy fats, good-quality proteins, and calcium especially from other sources, then he's likely getting plenty of milk.  Personally, I wouldn't push cow's milk, but I would look at the rest of his diet and evaluate if he's getting plenty of those.  Other dairy sources are fine (yogurt, cheese) if he'll eat, but there are other sources besides dairy!  I might also try to encourage more nursing - can you add a session by offering a "dream feed" after he's fallen asleep?  Or carrying him in a sling in the evenings so it's easy for him to get in a few extra minutes of nursing?  How about offering your milk in a cup instead of a bottle?  And if nothing else, most toddlers are quite variable in their nursing frequency, so he might show more interest in a few weeks even if he's not so interested now.  Just keep offering!

[nstewart]

My DS only nurses at night now (except on weekends when we get in an extra session before his nap) since I'm back at work and also won't take any kind of "milk" from a cup (not BM, not cows milk, not almond milk, nada).  I spoke to my doctor and she was not concerned as he does eat other dairy such as greek yogurt and cheese.  He is also getting "good" fats from things like salmon and avocado.  So I think if you are able to give your DS those other options then there is no need to worry.

[nstewart]

Oh, and also I agree with you about the chocolate milk and strawberry milk.  You might as well give your kid soda (same amount of sugar!).  Also, my niece wouldn't drink milk as a toddler so was given chocolate milk and now at 7 she will still ONLY drink chocolate milk.  Slippery slope!

[blue butterfly]

dd3 is 13 months and the only non mama milk she will accept is almond milk, i think it has a sweeter taste than other milks.  

and as far as the chocolate milk goes, i was offered chocolate milk as a young child and am ashamed to admit that at nearly 32, if im going to drink milk, it has to be chocolate. not good at all.  i'd much rather my children not drink milk at all than do chocolate