Dear mummy, this week I discovered what bones are. I may only be a toddler but you helped me understand what they are and what they do.

The toe bone’s connected to the foot bone,
The foot bone’s connected to the ankle bone,
The ankle bone’s connected to the leg bone,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!

I dressed up in my skeleton Halloween costume and you identified them by tracing your finger on my skin.

Did you know that I have 273 bones in my little body? That’s a lot of bones to look after.

Bones are really important for toddlers so how do I protect them and help them grow?

I want to become big and strong!

I’m still growing rapidly, there is also a lot of strengthening to do when it comes to my bones. Therefore it’s important to make sure I get plenty of the bone-building minerals like calcium and vitamin D.

So where do I get calcium?

Well, by drinking cows milk of course. That’s because cow’s milk offers a rich source of calcium. Actually it’s the number one source.

The Milk directory suggests drinking up to 2 cups of milk a day to keep bones healthy and strong.

Cow’s milk is also often fortified with vitamin D, which is also beneficial for bone health. However, other nutrients are also necessary for bone health, such as vitamin K, strontium, magnesium and vitamin C, so I need to hunt them down too. Fruit, vegetables and meat will give me all the nutrients my little body needs!

The hip bone’s connected to the back bone
The back bone’s connected to the neck bone,
The neck bone’s connected to the head bone,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!

Did you know that most kids do not get enough calcium in their diets to help ensure optimal peak bone mass? Now that’s scary.

Hopefully by sticking to national guidelines on intake and by adopting healthy nutritional and lifestyle habits now my folks can help prevent osteoporosis and fractures later in my life.

Milk is good for bones, but other factors matter, like exercise and a healthy diet! I get enough exercise from running around and playing outdoors in the fresh air and my folks provide me with a balanced diet, so all I really need is MILK!

So where does milk come from? My mummy introduced me to this white stuff from Cravendale.

Milk comes straight from moo cows!

Drinking one 8-oz glass of milk provides 300 milligrams (mg) of calcium, which is about one-third of the recommended intake for younger children daily.

I actually really like the taste of Cravendale. It tastes much fresher and crisper than ordinary milk. It’s been filtered through special ceramic filters that remove the nasty bacteria that makes milk turn sour. The result is purer milk that lasts much longer.

So how to get kids to drink milk if they don’t like it?

1) Try making soup and oatmeal or other hot cereals with milk instead of water.

2) Pour milk over cold cereal for breakfast or a snack.

3) Incorporate milk into a fruit smoothie or milkshake.

It’s not all about the milk though…

Calcium is found in many foods, but the most common source is cows milk and other dairy products.

Sources of calcium also might include an ounce or two of cheese on pizza or a jacket potato, a cup of calcium-enriched orange juice, or a small carton of yogurt.

Your kids can also get calcium from dark green, leafy vegetables or foods such as broccoli and almonds.

Are your kids getting enough calcium?

A couple of glasses of Cravendale a day will help me stay healthy and strong and help look after my funny bones!

What’s your family’s favourite way to drink Cravendale milk?

I like to drink it straight up, no messing around with fiddly faddy cookies, dilly dally baking or adding it to cereal. I don’t want to dilute its taste! I like it just on its own. Like a good Whisky *so my mummy tells me*.

I’m a hardcore toddler, this is serious milk.
It deserves my undivided attention.

All I ask is that I dress up in my Halloween Costume….

Which brings me back to Bones, I need healthy bones.

Mr Skelli agrees……slurp!

Love Bella x

This post is an entry for BritMums #MilkDrinkersMilk Linky Challenge, sponsored by Cravendale.