We now know that due to its high solute load, and often milk protein sensitivities, milk will often cause increased congestion when a child has contracted a cold, etc. If a child is not allergic to milk, you often do not need to stop milk entirely but, in order to keep their secretions as loose as possible when a child is congested, you certainly want to encourage a lot of extra juice and water. On the other hand, there are many children, when given milk or dairy products, who will become congested whether well or ill, and in cases such as that, those children may need to be kept off of milk and dairy products for a prolonged period of time. Contrary to "old wives' tales", we know that boys will get enough calcium whether they drink milk or eat any dairy; as adolescents, girls certainly need a calcium supplement were they to be off of dairy for a prolonged period. As young children a short period of illness will not cause any calcium problems whatsoever. Years ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics camout and stated that children who are "violently" allergic to milk and dairy products did not need a calcium supplement. As I have stated, certainly we know that adolescent girls do need a calcium supplement if they are totally off of milk and diary products. There is some indication that it is a wise idea to give a low supplement to girls during childhood. As previously stated, certainly for the duration of an illness, whether it be a girl or a boy, there is no problem whatsoever. Generally, I would try to advise to restrict milk and dairy products or stop it entirely until the congestion itself has resolved and to reintroduce it making sure that the milk and dairy products are not a cause of increased congestion.