non-soy dairy alternative to cow's milk for one year old boy please!

[rachysetty]

I was wondering if anyone had any knowledge or experience with dairy (and wheat) intolerant boys.

At the moment I am giving him SMA toddler milk, which he just about tolerates, but his poos are still very soft at times. The only way I can get them normal is to cut out dairy altogether but I am concerned about no bottles at all as I know he needs his fat and calcium.

I have read about people cutting it out altogether for water but he is skinny as it is and I struggle to keep his weight at the 50th percentile as it is (75th for height so you can imagine how skinny he is!) with no dairy and currently bulk his food with oils and calcium rich veg etc.

I am not going to give him soy due to the phytoestrogens. Doctor is not keen on perscribing him anything as he has not got a formal allergy (seems unfair that just cos it isn't killing him, doesn't mean he's suffering and doesn't deserve it) and to be honest I am tired of going in there.

Does anyone have any ideas if almond or rice milk would be better than formula and suitable? He already has nuts in his diet as I want to use them for the protein and good fats they contain. I read on a packet of rice milk that it is not suitable for under 3 year olds, but I have also read about fortified rice milk, but am unable to find it and to establish if it is suitable instead of formula or whole cow's milk?

I have tried him with lactofree products and they go right through him just the same as others cow's milk products.

I am concerned about getting his bowel movements normal as my sister had the same issue with her daughter and couldn't toilet train her until she was nearly three and her bowel movements were normal. (Maybe a little premature but he is doing a few things which makes me think he is getting aware when he needs the toilet and when he goes).

Many thanks in advance.

[mmmmsleep]

from the information you've given he sounds like he might have cows milk protein allergy. if you are excluding a big nutrition group you really do need to see a dietician. rice milk is not suitable for under 5s due to high arsnic levels. soy is thought to be safe over 6m but I understand your concerns.

I think you need to ask to be referred to paediatrician for consideration of cmp allergy. your son may have the delayed type 4 allergy rather than ige mediated type 1...if you use those words your gp might listen. cmp is still present in lactose free products so they won't help but you do need to see someone in rl to make diagnosis as there are other causes of loose stools too. good luck. most grow out of cmp allergy.

[mmmmsleep]

and he really needs testing for coeliac if he is bad on wheat. he does need to be eating wheat at time and at his age blood test is not always sensitive enough...so again. see paeds. hope that helps

[CoteDAzur]

Almond juice can't replace milk, which only comes from the mammary glands of mammals.

How is he on cheese & yoghurt?

[trixymalixy]

Rice milk contains too much arsenic to be safe for under 4s.

You can buy hypo allergenic formula over the counter if your GP won't prescribe it, but it is expensive.


All the other substitutes like oat, koko (coconut milk) etc aren't nutritionally adequate to replace formula or cow's milk for under 2s.

[rachysetty]

I realise that, but I think I did state that my son cannot have dairy products, hence I am asking for advice on whether to replace the formula, that he can just about tolerate, with something else.

[rachysetty]

Thank you for all your advice. At least I can go back to the doctor with something to make me sound like I know what I am talking about a little more.

[rachysetty]

My first response was meant to be in reply to CoteDAzur user. It was not meant for anyone else as everyone else has been very caring with the information they have provided me.

[CreatureRetorts]

We gave ds oat milk. You can also get coconut milk enriched with calcium (koko).

From 18/20 months he could tolerate yoghurts/cheese in small amounts and at nearly 4 he can have them but raw cows milk gives him really sloppy poo. We saw a dietician who said calcium enriched oat milk was fine but I was bf him as well.

Ask for a dietician referral. Speak to your HV - our area had dietician drop in sessions for kids too.

[Iggly]

Can you see a different GP? Who might prescribe you other formula?

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Have a read of this on the allergy uk site. It's very useful and includes info on how to talk to your GP

Between one and two the minimum recommended amount of cows milk is 300ml a day. If you want to replace that while you are waiting for the allergy testing I think the hypo allergenic formula from the pharmacy is a goi idea. Tinned salmon, infact all fish with bones, is high in calcium and fat and protein so how about fish cakes made with tinned salmon, a salmon sandwich or sardines on toast? Green leafy veg are also high in calcium but avoid spinach as it acts as an inhibitor.

Nuts are good too. If you can get hold of dairy free bread try a smooth nut butter on toast. Most bread is fortified with calcium. Ready brek is fortified too, so try the formula mixed with ready brek and fruit for breakfast.

Hop you get the testing done soon

[CoteDAzur]

Does he have the same symptoms on cheese & yoghurt? Many people who are intolerant to milk are fine with these products.

I'm asking this again because there really is no ideal substitute for dairy in a small child's diet, and it would be good to find a dairy product your DS can tolerate.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Think that's what testing is so important isn't it cote?

[CoteDAzur]

Testing is always important

Hypo-allergenic formula is also a good idea. But if OP's DS "just about tolerates" SMA toddler milk, maybe stick with that until the testing?

"Tinned salmon, infact all fish with bones, is high in calcium"

Calcium in milk: 115 g/100g
Calcium in salmon: 9 g/100g

My DC were drinking about 500 g (1/2 L) of milk per day at that age. To get anywhere near that with salmon, you would have to feed a baby over 6 kg of salmon every day. That's a lot of fish cakes

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Fish cakes don't have to be the only source though do they, and her Lo is getting formula too.

[CreatureRetorts]

You don't absorb all the calcium in milk do a bit misleading to compare milk and salmon calcium content...

[CoteDAzur]

I was hoping someone would say that, so I could point out how high calcium absorption from milk actually is: About 32% of milk is absorbed from milk, which is considered quite high. (Compared to about 5% from spinach iirc). A much lower but still significant amount is absorbed from salmon, about 22% iirc.

So I think you will find that the comparison between salmon and milk was not misleading at all.

[CoteDAzur]

About 32% calcium is absorbed from milk, rather.

[CreatureRetorts]

Brocolli and kale plus beans and bread are pretty good sources though? Although I won't deny that dairy is best simply because it's the most convenient.