Transitioning away from bottles isn't always easy. Learn the reasons why some 1-year-olds resist drinking milk from a sippy cup, plus tips for what to do.
Toddlers are known for their quirkiness and fierce independence. This behavior is both adorable and mystifying, especially when you're trying to teach them a new skill. Case in point, many parents find that their 1-year-old won't drink cow's milk unless it's in a bottle. And they might only drink from a sippy cup if it's full of water. If this sounds familiar, don't worry: Your child isn't purposely being stubborn—although it can feel that way!
Keep reading to learn the reasons why toddlers sometimes refuse to drink milk from a sippy cup, plus some tips for getting them comfortable with drinking milk from a container that isn't a bottle.
It's very common for babies and toddlers to resist switching from a bottle to a cup—and to reject cow's milk in favor of breast milk or formula. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it's ideal to introduce a sippy cup between 6 to 9 months (initially filled with breast milk, formula, or water) and whole cow's milk at age 1. But when you do, be prepared that your child may protest drinking milk in a cup. Luckily, not accepting the sippy cup is usually short-lived.
If your child refuses to drink milk from a sippy cup, one of these reasons may be to blame.
1. Familiarity: Some toddlers equate milk with a bottle. When they’re in this frame of mind, drinking milk from a sippy cup just doesn’t feel right to them. They may associate drinking from a bottle with comfort, while the sippy cup feels unfamiliar and it may be harder to drink from as well.
2. Transitioning: Refusal to drink milk from a sippy cup commonly happens right after a child is weaned from their bottle. The good news is that this dislike is usually temporary. As the child becomes accustomed to going without a bottle, they'll eventually stop yearning for it. Just like your child may refuse a new food at first, it can take time to accept switching to a cup. As they practice, they will get more comfortable and likely more tolerant of using one.
3. Preference: If your child doesn't want to drink milk from a sippy cup, it's also possible that they're just not crazy about milk. They might have been drinking milk before because they were willing to tolerate it for the comfort and pleasure of drinking from their bottle. But now that milk is being offered in a cup, they're not enjoying it.
If your child simply doesn't like milk, that's OK. There are other ways to get your child the hydration and nutrients milk offers. But as with other evolving toddler food preferences, your child may also change their mind again. As long as there is no medical reason to stop offering milk (like a cow's milk protein allergy or sensitivity), you can continue to offer small amounts of milk in a sippy cup in a low-pressure environment. It can help if they see you and/or others in their family routinely drinking milk as well. They just might decide to try it again!
For some kids, the issue may be more severe than simply disliking milk—a child might refuse to drink milk from a cup because they are lactose intolerant. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), lactose intolerance typically shows up after 3 years old. If your child refuses cow's milk from a sippy cup, they may have developed an intolerance, and they've figured out the connection between drinking milk and feeling yucky.
Since your toddler likely can't tell you that milk hurts their tummy, it'll be on you to watch out for signs of lactose intolerance if you suspect it. The AAP says that kids can feel the effects of lactose intolerance as soon as a few minutes (or as long as a few hours) after drinking or eating dairy.
Here are some signs of lactose intolerance in toddlers to watch out for, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases:
- Diarrhea - Abdominal pain and bloating - Gas - Nausea or vomiting - Stomach rumbling
If you suspect lactose intolerance or another health condition, talk to a healthcare provider.
If your child is still refusing milk but otherwise doing fine drinking from a sippy cup, they might just need a little encouragement. Here are a few simple tips:
1. Offer variety: According to the AAP, the two best drinks for children are water and plain cow's milk. (Whole milk is recommended from age 1 to 2, followed by lower-fat milk for older kids.) Milk offers important nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, protein, and fat. Pediatricians recommend milk for young kids because it's usually an easy way to ensure your child gets the nutrients they need. In fact, milk is a top source of calcium in the average American’s diet.
2. Explore alternatives: The good news for kids who are on a milk strike (and their parents): Calcium and other nutrients found in milk don't have to come from cow's milk. It's entirely possible to get sufficient calcium from a milk-free diet. If your child decides they're just not going to be a milk drinker, offer them a variety of other calcium-rich foods so you’ll be sure they're getting all the calcium they need for good health. (Keep offering milk though as your toddler may try it again and eventually like it.)
Here are some calcium-rich foods that your child can eat to power their health:
- Yogurt - Cheese - Calcium-fortified plant-based milks (e.g., almond milk, soy milk) - Leafy greens (e.g., spinach, kale) - Broccoli - Oranges - Tofu - Chia seeds - Fortified cereal
If your toddler won't drink cow's milk from a sippy cup, that's OK. There are plenty of ways to ensure they get their recommended daily intake of calcium, such as eating calcium-fortified foods or other dairy items like yogurt and cheese. Many kids will refuse milk from a cup as they learn to transition away from a bottle—and it's usually just a temporary bump in the road.
