If you or your child don’t drink milk

Your child will drink milk if you do.

Do you drink milk? Why? Why not?

Do you want your child to drink milk? Why? Why not?

In the US, drinking milk is the best way to get enough calcium and vitamin D for strong bones. Children depend on milk for calcium, vitamin D, and protein. Children who don’t drink milk are shorter, have smaller bones, and break their bones more often.

To keep from getting stomachaches or diarrhea when you drink milk:

You can’t make your child drink milk. But you can encourage him. Here’s how:

Drink milk yourself. If you drink milk, your child will think, “that is what grownups drink.” Even if he doesn’t drink milk today, he will some day.
If you can’t drink milk at mealtime, drink water. If you drink soda or Kool-aid, your child will think, “that is what grownups drink.” Even if you don’t let him have soda or Kool-aid today, some day he will drink it instead of milk.
Have the kind of milk the family enjoys: whole, 2%, or skim. If you use skim milk, offer another good fat source such as butter or margarine, salad dressing, white sauce, or cheese sauce.
Don’t get pushy. Put a small glass of milk at your child’s place, and let him drink it or not. Only remind him once to drink his milk. Only remind him if you can take no for an answer.

While you wait for yourself and your child to drink milk, serve other food that gives calcium. That might be cheese, yogurt, or orange juice with calcium.