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How Much Milk and Water Does a Toddler Need?

Care for Baby

Written by - Mylo BabyLast updated: Oct 6, 2026

How Much Milk and Water Does a Toddler Need?

18 min

Quick Answer

Toddler milk and water needs are the daily drinks a child aged 1 to 3 needs to grow and stay hydrated: about 2 cups (400 to 500 ml) of milk and 1 to 4 cups of water. Too much milk lowers appetite and iron. Use an open or straw cup, and stop the bottle by about 18 months.

Milk, Water and Bottles at a Glance

Question	Short Answer
How much milk for a 1 to 3 year old?	About 2 cups (400 to 500 ml) a day. Try not to go over about 700 ml
Which milk?	Whole (full-fat) cow's milk from 1 to 2 years. After 2, toned milk is fine if your toddler is growing well
Breast milk?	Yes. WHO recommends breastfeeding up to 2 years and beyond
How much water?	About 1 to 4 cups (250 ml to 1 litre) a day at 1 to 2 years, a little more at 2 to 3 years and in hot weather
Juice?	Not needed. Whole fruit is better. If given, no more than half a cup (120 ml) of 100% juice a day
When to stop the bottle?	Start a cup at 6 months, and stop the bottle by about 12 to 18 months
Night bottle?	Avoid it. Milk in bed can cause tooth decay

Key Facts Every Parent Should Know

Milk is a food, not just a drink: Too much milk fills toddlers up and leaves less room for iron-rich foods
Low iron is common: Drinking a lot of milk is one of the most common causes of iron deficiency anaemia in toddlers
Water is the best drink: Between meals, water is better than juice, tea or sweet drinks
"Toddler milk" isn't needed: Special growing-up formulas aren't needed for healthy toddlers who eat a varied diet
Bottles can harm teeth: Sipping milk from a bottle, especially at night, can cause tooth decay
Cups help development: Drinking from an open or straw cup helps mouth muscles and self-feeding skills

How Much Milk Should a Toddler Drink?

Short answer: Most toddlers need about 2 cups (400 to 500 ml) of milk a day, including milk used in porridge or curd. More than about 700 ml a day can reduce appetite and iron.

Age	Milk per Day	Type
12 to 24 months	About 2 cups (400 to 500 ml). Upper limit about 700 ml	Whole (full-fat) cow's milk, or breast milk
2 to 3 years	About 2 cups (400 to 500 ml)	Toned or whole milk, as your doctor advises

1 cup = about 240 ml. Curd, paneer and milk in porridge also count towards the daily total.

Before 1, babies need breast milk or formula, not cow's milk. Read when to start in our guide on when babies can begin cow's milk.

Signs your toddler may be drinking too much milk

Eats very little food at meals
Asks for milk instead of food
Pale skin, tiredness or low energy (possible low iron)
Hard stools or constipation
Wakes at night wanting milk

Which milk is best for toddlers?

Milk	Is It Okay?
Breast milk	Yes, for as long as you and your toddler want
Whole cow's milk (full cream)	Yes, from 12 months. Best choice from 1 to 2 years
Toned or low-fat milk	From 2 years, if your toddler is growing well
Buffalo milk	Higher in fat. Some families dilute it slightly. Ask your pediatrician
Packet (pasteurised) milk	Yes. Safe to use. Warm if your toddler prefers
Loose milk	Boil it before use
Raw (unboiled) milk	No. It can carry germs
Toddler or growing-up formula	Not needed for healthy toddlers
Plant milks (almond, rice, oat)	Not a replacement for cow's milk. Fortified soy milk only with your doctor's advice
Flavoured milk and malted drink powders	Often high in added sugar. Avoid, especially under 2

How Much Water Should a Toddler Drink?

Short answer: Toddlers aged 1 to 2 need about 1 to 4 cups (250 ml to 1 litre) of water a day, and 2 to 3 year olds need about 1 to 5 cups. They need more in hot weather, when active, or when unwell.

Age	Water per Day (About)
12 to 24 months	1 to 4 cups (250 ml to 1 litre)
2 to 3 years	1 to 5 cups (250 ml to 1.2 litres)

Tips:

Offer water with every meal and snack
Keep a cup of water within reach during play
Give more water in Indian summers, after outdoor play, and during illness
Use a small cup your toddler can hold

Signs of dehydration

See a doctor if your toddler shows signs of dehydration:

Fewer wet diapers, or no urine for 6 to 8 hours
Dark yellow urine
Dry mouth, lips or tongue
No tears when crying
Very sleepy, cranky or floppy
Sunken eyes

During diarrhoea or vomiting, give ORS as your doctor advises, and keep breastfeeding if you are.

What Other Drinks Are Okay?

Drink	Is It Okay?
Water	Best drink between meals
Breast milk or plain milk	Yes, within the daily amount
Chaas (buttermilk) or lassi without sugar	Yes, a good option
Coconut water	Okay sometimes, in small amounts
100% fruit juice	Not needed. If given, no more than half a cup (120 ml) a day, in a cup, not a bottle
Packaged juices, soft drinks, energy drinks	No. High in sugar
Tea and coffee	No. They reduce iron absorption
Sweetened health drink powders	Often high in sugar. Avoid

Why Should Toddlers Stop the Bottle?

Short answer: Using a bottle for too long can cause tooth decay, make toddlers drink too much milk, and lower their appetite for food. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests stopping the bottle by about 18 months at the latest.

Problem	Why It Happens
Tooth decay	Milk sits on the teeth, especially at night
Too much milk	Bottles make it easy to drink a lot quickly
Low iron	Milk fills them up, so they eat fewer iron-rich foods
Picky eating	Less hunger at mealtimes
Comfort habit	Harder to stop the longer it continues

How to Stop Bottle Feeding a Toddler

Short answer: Move to a cup slowly. Drop one bottle at a time, starting with the daytime ones, and drop the bedtime bottle last.

Step by step

Step	What to Do	How Long
1. Introduce a cup early	Offer an open cup or straw cup from 6 months, with water at meals	Ongoing
2. Drop the midday bottle	Give milk in a cup at lunch or snack time	3 to 5 days
3. Drop the morning bottle	Offer milk in a cup with breakfast	3 to 5 days
4. Drop the evening bottle	Use a cup at dinner	3 to 5 days
5. Drop the bedtime bottle last	Move milk earlier, before brushing teeth, and replace the bottle with a cuddle and story	1 to 2 weeks

Tips that help

Let your toddler choose a special cup: A favourite colour or character makes it exciting
Put only water in the bottle: Many toddlers lose interest when the bottle has only water
Keep bottles out of sight: Out of sight, out of mind
Offer comfort in other ways: Cuddles, a soft toy or a song instead of the bottle
Say bye-bye to the bottle: Toddlers over 2 may like a small "goodbye bottle" moment
Stay calm and consistent: Expect a few days of protest, then it gets easier

How to stop the night bottle

Give milk earlier, as part of the bedtime routine, then brush teeth.
If your toddler still needs a bottle to fall asleep, reduce the milk by about 30 ml every 2 to 3 nights.
When it's very small, switch to water only.
Replace the bottle with a story, song or cuddle.

For more help with night waking, read our guide on toddler night waking.

Which cup is best?

Cup	Notes
Open cup	Best for mouth development. Expect spills at first
Straw cup	Good for drinking on the go
Spouted sippy cup	Okay for a short time, but works a lot like a bottle
Steel or glass cup with a lid	Good for home and travel

What Not to Do

Short answer: Don't use the bottle to put your toddler to sleep, don't give sweet drinks, and don't force extra milk.

Avoid	Why	Try Instead
Bottle in bed or to fall asleep	Tooth decay	Milk before brushing, then a cuddle
Adding sugar or flavoured powders to milk	Tooth decay, sweet habits	Plain milk
Forcing more milk "for strength"	Lowers appetite and iron	About 2 cups a day, plus food
Juice in a bottle	High sugar, tooth decay	Water in a cup
Stopping all bottles in one day during illness or big changes	Extra stress	Choose a calm time

When Should I Worry?

Short answer: Talk to your pediatrician if your toddler drinks far too much or too little, shows signs of low iron or dehydration, or is always very thirsty.

Sign	Why It Matters
Drinks more than about 700 ml of milk a day and eats little	Risk of iron deficiency
Pale, tired, eats mud or chalk	Possible anaemia
Refuses all milk and dairy	May need other calcium sources
Signs of dehydration	Needs medical help
Very thirsty all the time and passing a lot of urine	Needs a check for conditions like diabetes
Constipation most days	May need more water, fibre and less milk
Rash, vomiting or diarrhoea after milk	Possible milk allergy or intolerance
Brown or white spots on the front teeth	Early tooth decay. See a dentist

Who Can Help?

Short answer: Your pediatrician can check your toddler's growth and iron levels. A pediatric dentist can check for tooth decay from bottles.

Who	When to See Them
Pediatrician	Milk amount, iron, growth, dehydration
Pediatric dietitian	Diet planning, milk allergy, picky eating
Pediatric dentist	First dental visit, tooth decay, bottle habits

Free government support in India

Anganwadi centres: Growth checks, nutrition advice and take-home rations
Anemia Mukt Bharat: Free iron and folic acid syrup for children aged 6 to 59 months
RBSK (Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram): Free health checks for children from birth to 18 years
ORS and zinc: Free at government health centres for diarrhoea

What Should Indian Parents Keep in Mind?

Short answer: In many Indian homes, milk is seen as the most important food, and toddlers drink from bottles until 3 or 4 years. Limiting milk and moving to a cup helps your toddler eat better and protects their teeth.

"Doodh nahi piya to kamzor ho jayega": Toddlers get strength from a mix of foods, not only milk
Bottles until 3 or 4 years: Common, but it raises the risk of tooth decay and low iron
Adding sugar or powders: Many families add sugar or flavoured powders to milk. Plain milk is best
Buffalo milk: Common in North India. It's higher in fat. Ask your pediatrician if it should be diluted
Steel glasses and katoris: A small steel glass is a great first cup
Summer heat: Offer extra water, chaas and coconut water in hot months
Grandparents: Share the bottle-weaning plan so everyone follows it

Myths vs Facts

Myth	Fact
More milk makes toddlers stronger	Too much milk can cause low iron and poor appetite
Toddlers need special toddler formula	A varied diet with regular milk is enough for most toddlers
Toddlers don't need water if they drink milk	Water is the best drink between meals
Fruit juice is healthy	Whole fruit is better. Juice is high in sugar
A bottle at bedtime helps toddlers sleep	It can cause tooth decay and night waking
Stopping the bottle is cruel	A gentle switch to a cup is healthy and most toddlers adjust within weeks

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much milk should a 1 year old drink?
About 2 cups (400 to 500 ml) of whole milk a day, or breast milk. Try not to go over about 700 ml.

2. How much milk should a 2 year old drink in ml?
About 400 to 500 ml a day, including milk in porridge and curd.

3. How much water should a 1 year old drink per day in ml?
About 250 ml to 1 litre, depending on the weather, activity and how much milk and food they have.

4. Can my toddler drink milk before bed?
Yes, as part of the bedtime routine, before brushing teeth. Avoid a bottle in bed.

5. When should my toddler stop using a bottle?
Ideally by 12 to 18 months. Start offering a cup from 6 months.

6. How do I stop my toddler's night bottle?
Move milk earlier in the routine, reduce the amount slowly, switch to water, then replace the bottle with a cuddle or story.

7. Is toddler formula necessary?
No. Healthy toddlers who eat a varied diet don't need it.

8. Bacche ko bottle ki aadat kaise chhudayen?
Ek ek karke bottle band kijiye. Pehle din ki bottle, phir subah ki, aur raat ki bottle sabse aakhir mein. Doodh steel ke glass ya cup mein dijiye, aur raat ko bottle ki jagah kahani ya lori sunaiye.

9. 2 saal ke bacche ko kitna doodh dena chahiye?
Din mein lagbhag 2 cup (400 se 500 ml) doodh kaafi hai. Isse zyada doodh dene se bhookh kam hoti hai aur khoon ki kami ho sakti hai.

References

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). "Recommended Drinks for Young Children Ages 0 to 5." HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org
Healthy Eating Research. "Healthy Beverage Consumption in Early Childhood: Recommendations from Key National Health and Nutrition Organizations." 2019.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). "Discontinuing the Bottle." HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org
World Health Organization (WHO). "Infant and young child feeding." https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). "Policy on Early Childhood Caries." https://www.aapd.org
ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition. "Dietary Guidelines for Indians." 2024.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. "Anemia Mukt Bharat." https://anemiamuktbharat.info

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for information only and does not replace professional medical advice. Every toddler is different. If you're worried about your toddler's milk intake, hydration, growth or teeth, please consult your pediatrician.

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