What To Do When Your Toddler Won't Drink Milk From a Sippy Cup

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 toddler won't drink cow's milk unless it's in a bottle (even if they'll drink water from a cup). 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.

Why Your Toddler Won't Drink Milk Unless It's in 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 offer whole cow's milk at age 1. But when you do, be prepared for your child to 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 or won't drink milk unless it's in a bottle, one of these reasons may be to blame.

Your toddler may equate milk with a bottle

Some toddlers equate milk with a bottle, says Rallie McAllister, MD, a family physician in Lexington, Kentucky, and co-author of The Mommy M.D. Guide to Your Baby's First Year. When they’re in this frame of mind, drinking milk from a sippy cup just doesn’t feel right to them, she explains. 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.

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.

Your toddler might not like milk

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, says Dr. McAllister. But now that milk is being offered in a cup, they're not enjoying it.

If your child simply doesn't like cow's 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 cow's 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 or others in their family routinely drinking milk as well. They just might decide to try it again!

Your toddler may be lactose intolerant

For some kids, the issue may be more severe than simply disliking milk—a child might refuse to drink milk from a cup because it upsets their tummy. 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:

• Gas
• Upset stomach, cramping, or bloating
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Irritability or crankiness
• Stomach rumbling
  

If you suspect lactose intolerance or another health condition, talk to a health care provider.

Tips for Helping Your Toddler Drink Milk From a Cup

If your child is still refusing cow's milk, but otherwise doing fine drinking from a sippy cup, they might just need a little encouragement. Here are a few simple tips.

• Make a fruity "milkshake." Try adding pureed fruit like strawberries to their milk as a fun option. The fruit will naturally add color and flavor to make it extra special.
• Get a special cup. Your toddler might be more willing to try milk from their cup if they're excited about it. Enter: The special cup. Let your child decorate their sippy cup with stickers or choose a brand new cup from the store in a favorite color or with a beloved character on it.
• Make it a "big kid" experience. If your child is showing interest in being a "big kid," talk up the cup as something big kids drink their milk from. (Just be sure to stay positive and avoid shaming them for wanting "baby things" like a bottle, if that's the case.)
• Offer encouragement. Your toddler loves nothing more than to hear words of affirmation from you. So when your child does drink from their cup—even just a sip!—offer lots of loving praise.
  

What To Do If Your Toddler Continues to Refuse Cow's Milk

According to the AAP, the two best drinks for children are water and plain cow's milk. (Whole milk is recommended from ages 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.

The good news for kids who are on a milk strike: 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!)

Check out these calcium-rich foods that your child can eat to power their health:

• Yogurt and cheese: Yogurt and cheese are both excellent sources of calcium and are often toddler favorites. Try swirling fruit into full-fat plain yogurt, offering slices of low-sodium cheese in fun shapes, spreading ricotta on toast or cream cheese on bagels, or topping meals with shredded cheese for a boost of calcium.
• Plant-based milk alternatives: Non-dairy milk options like soy milk can also be served to kids who refuse cow's milk. Ensure that any non-dairy options you choose are fortified with calcium and vitamin D and don't include added sugar or other sweeteners.
• Tofu: Tofu is a versatile food that is high in calcium and plant-based protein.
• Dark, leafy greens: Dark, leafy greens like spinach and kale are surprisingly good sources of calcium and easily can be added to smoothies and sauces. You can also try baked or air-fried kale chips for a fun crunchy snack.
• Beans and lentils: Beans and lentils provide calcium and plant-based protein, and they can be added to different meals or pureed into a variety of fun dips.
• Seeds and nuts: Seeds and nuts are great sources of calcium that you can easily add to other foods. Just be sure not to give your toddler whole nuts or seeds as they are a choking hazard. Try offering your toddler nut butter or sunflower seed butter by adding it to smoothies, stirring it into yogurt, or spreading it on toast, sandwiches, or crackers.
• Whey protein: Whey protein is high in calcium and a smart option to add to smoothies for a boost of calcium and protein.
• Fish: Fish like salmon and sardines contain calcium, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. For a simple meal or snack, consider a canned option.
• Calcium-fortified foods: Most cereals are fortified with calcium; be sure to read the label to check. Look for whole-grain options with little to no added sugar.