For over a week now E has refused to drink any soy milk and I don’t know why. (In case you didn’t know, E has serious food allergies to several things including cow’s milk which is why he drinks soy.) For the last several months he has been taking a bottle of soy milk before his nap and one before bed time but over the last few weeks he’s been drinking less and less of his bottles.
Then about a week ago he just quit cold turkey. He doesn’t want anything to do with the soy milk. If I pop the bottle in his mouth he’ll fill his mouth up and then let the milk dribble out the corners of his mouth and down his neck. He thinks it’s hilarious (but predictably, I disagree).
I’ve tried putting it in a sippy cup but as soon as he tastes what it is he spits it back out. I’ve also tried a couple different brands of soy milk and even chocolate soy milk but it doesn’t make a difference. It’s pretty frustrating. He’s been drinking soy formula/milk for eight months. What changed? What’s going on inside his wee little brain? His behavior is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.
I worry that because he can’t have other calcium-rich foods like yogurt or cheese he’s not getting enough calcium but he does takes a couple of those gummy calcium vitamins a day which should help. I don’t want to overreact but I just don’t what to do. Should I just let it slide for a while or if I should call his pediatrician to see what he says?
Meh. What do you think? Any ideas?
I'd call his pediatrician, if for no other reason than to give you peace of mind regarding his nutrient intake. Either that, or ways to deal with it.
Does he like fish? Canned salmon with bones is high in calcium. Plus the DHA is good for their brains.
Hi Faith,
I have noticed that my toddler gets "sick" of food more and more, including milk. He'll love something one day and refuses to eat it the next! I have found that giving him a break for a day or so usually helps. In fact, he didn't drink milk for almost a week (but he does eat yogurt and cheese, so I wasn't too worried). After his break from milk, he has really been enjoying his milk…
I would check with E's pediatrician so that you don't worry too much. I'm sure he'll be fine.
Andrea
Thanks for all the advice, everyone. I did end up calling the nurse hotline for E's doctor. The nurse said to keep offering soymilk to him but that if he's not back on it in a few weeks to call back because then it's turning into a habit and we'll need to figure out a plan. So that's what we're going to do.
Miranda, I'd like to give E salmon or other fish, but his allergist wants him to hold off on all seafood until he's tested this fall for allergies to it.