Dr. Lynn Cates
Specializing in pediatric infectious diseases and childhood immunizations.
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 Ask Dr. Cates
Two-Year-Old Drank Spoiled Milk | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Cates,
My two-year-old found a bottle that was about five days old. It was his, and I am assuming it was in his closet... hidden as usual. I am embarrassed to admit that he is still on the bottle, not much. Only before nap and bed. Well, he drank some of it. Inside was sour milk (at that point). It has not made him sick, but I am worried about other forms of bacteria. Please, please, please get back to me.— Terribly Worried Mom | | | ANSWER |
April 12, 2001 | | | Dear Terribly Worried Mom,
You can always count on a toddler to get into the one thing you wish he hadn't! Please don't worry. It's very likely that your son will be fine. Many older children and adults have taken a giant swig of milk out of the carton only to find it was sour--and other than being quite surprised at the taste and smell, they have done just fine.
That said, of course you don't want to make a practice of giving him improperly refrigerated milk because milk is very nutritious for germs as well as for children. I'm sure the milk was contaminated with lots of germs, but fortunately the body produces many germ-killing substances throughout the gastrointestinal tract--beginning with saliva in the mouth--so there is a good chance the germs were neutralized or have passed right on through your son without causing harm. However, if he should develop signs of an infection such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain in the next few days, it would be a good idea to talk with his healthcare provider and mention the milk episode.
As for your son's still drinking from a bottle at age two, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. However, you should know that if he goes to bed with a bottle containing milk or juice, the milk breaks down into tooth-destroying sugars in his mouth while he sleeps. If he needs a bottle right before going down, it should contain water.— by Lynn Cates, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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