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Expert Q&A
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| By Allison Gamble Nutritionist/Diet Technician Highland Park Hospital, Illinois | ||
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My 14-month-old won't drink milk. I'm still breastfeeding, but concerned that she's not getting enough calcium. Should I worry?
Try yogurt until your little one is ready for milk. Plain yogurt has even more calcium than milk! I have only one concern when it comes to yogurt, however and that's vitamin D. Vitamin D is necessary for calcium absorption and deposition in the bones. Nearly all milk contains added vitamin D, while yogurt generally does not. However, I have noticed a few brands that provide at least 20 percent of the Daily Value for vitamin D, which means that vitamin D has been added. Try to purchase those. Cheese is also a very good source of calcium, so try to work about an ounce every day. And keep trying because a child's tastes change with age. Offer calcium-added juices, such as orange juice which provides as much calcium as milk.
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