Making dairy-free exciting for a preschooler?

[DangerQuakeRhinoSnake]

Is it possible?

My poor DS is missing his morning milk (he's not a fan of soya, almond or coconut milk on its own) and then yesterday we were out at the beach and there was only one dairy free option in the ice cream cabinet at the beach (calippo). So no choice at all really. How can I make this easier on him? So many treat foods seem to have milk in them. Feels so unfair.

[DangerQuakeRhinoSnake]

Whoops too many beaches. We were at the beach, you know!

[LifeIsGoodish]

Ice-creams are a pain when you're out-and-about, surprising how even ice-lollies have dairy in them. Mostly you just have to carry your own goodies around with you.

Bourbon Creams are non-dairy (but please always check!) as is Fry's Chocolate Cream bar (the minty one).

You can bake lovely cakes and brownies by replacing the butter with Helmans Mayo (the full-fat one).

[LifeIsGoodish]

Have you tried Oatly? My dc won't drink any other unsweetened non-milk - not even other brands of oat 'milk'.

Or you could simply not bother with 'milk', but give him water or juice or even weak tea. One of my dc likes rooibos, another likes herbal tea, especially licorice tea, the third likes real tea.

[EnglishRose1320]

When my ds couldn't have dairy we made a lot of treats at home using vitalite instead of butter. Plus is my memory serves me correctly party rings don't have dairy in them. Milk wise he would have oatly or rice milk on his cereal but wouldn't drink any milk. Cheese wise he liked hard goats cheese in cooking.

[Afreshstartplease]

3 year old dd is dairy intolerant but we seem to be pretty lucky in that she likes soya products. Alot of treats out are a pain though, sometimes when we go out to eat the only options for her are fruit salad or some crisps! While her siblings tuck in to chocolate cake!

[throwingpebbles]

We have to put up with ice lollies when out,
But I make up for it when we are at home : tesco do cornetto style dairy free ice creams, and choc ice style. Or buy tubs of Swedish glacé etc and lots of cones, sprinkles etc

[throwingpebbles]

I also keep a selection of treats and snacks in my bag so they can have a cake or whatever from my bag if there are no suitable options on the menu.

[5minutestobed]

Has he always been dairy free or is this a new thing? My DS is 3, he doesn't know what he's missing in terms of ice cream and things. He can have dairy free chocolate, we make dairy free cakes and I always take snacks with me, usually the goodies gingerbread men or oaty bars.
For milk my ds drinks the 1+ soya milk, I think it's sweeter than normal soya milk? I also give him chocolate milk (cocoa powder) sometimes and Starbucks etc will make soya babycinnos.

[throwingpebbles]

Me and my boy have a deal, called "you'll never miss out" . So if we are at a party / restaurant/ whatever and he misses out on something (despite my plannjng as much as possible) then we will sort out a substitute as soon as conveniently possible.

[DangerQuakeRhinoSnake]

Thank you so much everyone. I've taken all your comments on board and been to sainsbury's for a bit of a blitz! At the moment we are trialling dairy free to see if it helps with ds' tummy troubles.

It's so unfair on them isn't it?

[Likeaninjanow]

It is hard at first,but you get used to it. My ds loves oatly that's already been mentioned, and I always carry treats in my bag. Moo free chocolate is good, as are morrisons dairy free choc you bars.

[Likeaninjanow]

Choccy bars!

[3boys3dogshelp]

Please don't worry about it, it seems really hard at first, but you will find that there are actually loads of things he can still have. I have 2 out of 3 dairy free, one also soya free, and they honestly don't miss out. You will gradually find places which cater for him out and about too - there are 3 cafes within 10 mins drive of me which always offer dairy free options including cakes. You just have to find them.
Cheap copies of cakes/biscuits are your friend as loads of them have no dairy in them. Eg cheap versions of Jaffa cakes are often ok. Sainsburys own country slices (normal not free from). Tesco free from choc chip muffins which are great for a party bag swap.
If my boys get given dairy at a party I swap them from my stash in my bag of treat cupboard when I get home.
If you can keep offering milk alternatives - it took my boys a while to get used to them but they love them now. Soya +1 is sweeter so good to transition over.

[DangerQuakeRhinoSnake]

Thank you this is all very reassuring and we'll persevere of course. I've found he loves Crusha with almond milk so that helps. I don't want his diet to become too sugary though in the absence of milk. Fortunately he loves his fresh fruit!

One question as I haven't properly spoken to the dietician yet, if dairy is indeed his problem, would a tiny amount of dairy really set him back (e.g. if he took a lick of someone else's ice cream) or does it not really affect things? Hoping you wise folk will know the answer

[jobellinger]

Have you ever tried Bouja Bouja ice cream? It's made with Cashew nuts and is amazing!

[Ditsy4]

Oh it is gorgeous and so are their chocolate although probably too rich for a child. A lick might be ok. I can tolerate a small a out but if I ate a cream cake I would have really gripey tummy pains.

[throwingpebbles]

It depends on the child danger . A tiny accidental sip of milk was enough to give my son anaphylaxis. With my daughter I am sure the odd lick wouldn't do much harm (but never been tempted to try).

I think psychologically though it's easier if they aren't aware of what they are missing out on though, so a lick could set them back in that sense

[LifeIsGoodish]

When my dcs' dairy intolerance was first diagnosed we went strictly DF. Once their symptoms had cleared up, skin healed etc, even a lick of someone's else's ice-cream would have triggered a reaction.

Besides, letting a little child have a taste of something they cannot have is both unkind and confusing to them.

[pashmina696]

Totally agree with previous comments - starting dairy free for a chid is difficult, and you feel they are missing out big time, however it very soon becomes normal, and with some adjustments to your shopping habits and a bit of home baking where necessary, it pretty easy and a common allergy. a lot of cheap cupcakes in supermarkets are dairy free, we love swedish glace ice cream and the little choc ices they now do... oreo cookies, party rings etc. he always has the gingerbread biscuit at the till in costa if we go there. or the pasta bolognaise when out at pizza express for example - we switch mashed potatoes for chips in other restaurants and he often has sorbet when out for pudding or fruit.

even a couple of cheddar biscuits sets off a reaction in my son, it took 5 weeks to cleanse him of dairy and for his tummy to get better, but it has been worth it to have a happy healthy child. crisps are our biggest issue at a social event as he reacts badly to milk powder in crisps, i also take sandwiches with us as getting dairy free sandwiches for a child is almost impossible. (morning bacon roll in cafe nero is exception...!)

good luck!

[DangerQuakeRhinoSnake]

Thank you so so much everyone.

I made a boo boo today, a friend brought a Swiss roll over and it wasn't until it was gone until I realised. If it turns out this is the intolerance we're looking for, then i have some hard habits to break.

He's tried the Swedish glace ice cream and loves it!

Re the small lick of an ice cream question - it's not something I'm intending for him, just wondering if it would mess up the trial if he had a small amount accidentally. Which I'm now wondering about the Swiss roll. He had a chupa chups lollipop the other day (vaccination treat) and I couldn't see an ingredients list on the very awkward to read wrapper. I wouldn't have worried but it was red and white (strawberry flavour) - becoming a bit obsessed maybe?!?

[LifeIsGoodish]

You have to be obsessed, at first at least. I have found https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carson-2-5x-Wallet-Magnifier-Spot/dp/B0011WYMAK?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 wallet magnifier cards] very useful!

[trixymalixy]

Some chupa chips do contain milk. I think the strawberry and cream one does...

[randomsabreuse]

Alpro do a chocolate almond milk and there's a chocolate coconut milk that comes in small cartons as well.

Coconut milk ice cream isn't bad and sorbet is mostly dairy free (but not Aldi lemon sorbet)

Ginger nuts are dairy free, crumble works with non dairy butter substitute (baking block or dairy free spread. Quite a lot of value stuff is dairy free because palm oil is cheaper - most of the "free from" range isn't - often things that would normally not contain dairy contain egg or vice versa.

I hated the dairy free "milk" chocolate but dark chocolate can be dairy free - finding dairy and soya free is more limiting but Tesco and Sainsbury's have a good range.

Crisps are awkward - as well as the obvious I have discovered dairy in some salt and vinegar crisps and sometimes smokey bacon

I went dairy free while breastfeeding my now 11 month old so my treats are more adult based. I never really liked butter other than melted on toast so tend to use hummus or other Mediterranean dips instead for sandwiches .

[Emochild]

Zizzi's do vegan pizza which is actually really nice if you are eating out and looking for something other than a jacket potato to eat which is generally our go to safe option

accidental vegan foods are good

Asda value frozen garlic bread is dd's snack food of choice

She finds almond milk acceptable on cereal but won't drink any milk without flavouring
There are a range of butter substitutes to choose from -although avoid the pure range olive oil spread
Flora now do a dairy free version and I find that best for cooking with

Tesco do a nice range of dairy free 'milk' drinks that aren't particularly sweet

It does get easier over time as you get used to certain foods and shopping hazards -just watch out for 'improved recipes'

[DangerQuakeRhinoSnake]

Thanks again everyone your input is so so gratefully received.

Where do we stand on the statement ' may also contain milk ' on packaging? The aforementioned bourbon creams have this on the packet even though it's not on the ingredients list. The Calippo at the beach also (unbelievably I feel) had this statement.