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Allergies and intolerances

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Original poster

Most suitable dairy-free milk for 2 year old?

14 replies

looseleaf · 07/10/2013 16:58

I have just stopped breast feeding our 27 month old (cold turkey as he wasn't slowing!) and he will drink oat milk happily.

I just bought almond milk to vary it but despite being fortified with calcium, vitamin D etc it said not to use as a main drink before 3.

Which made me wonder what should it be giving him? He can tolerate small amounts of dairy now but not much so best he doesn't drink it

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trixymalixy · 07/10/2013 21:02

Definitely not rice milk as it has too high an arsenic content for under 4s. I don't know why almond milk wouldn't be suitable for under 3s?

We use oatly and koko. I tend to avoid soya milk as he eats soya yogurts so don't want to overload him with soya.

bigwellylittlewelly · 07/10/2013 21:07

Oatly calcium enriched, I weaned DD1 at 27months as she also wasn't showing signs of stopping but we've been fine with oat milk and her calcium levels are good

hugoagogo · 07/10/2013 21:10

My dd had soy formula until she was about 3; have you spoken to your gp?

DorisIsAPinkDragon · 07/10/2013 21:15

we have oatly for both dd's.

bundaberg · 07/10/2013 21:16

we used mainly oat milk for ds2 and ds3 and they've both been fine, but I did try and make extra specially sure that they were getting plenty of fat elsewhere in their diet as I think that was the main thing lacking from it.

you can buy alpro junior soya milk, but personally i didn't like to give them too much soya .

we saw the paediatric allergy specialist who said that ds2's diet sounded fine, and she wasn't worried about the oat milk (and didn't want to prescribe a hypo formula)

bundaberg · 07/10/2013 21:16

we do use almond milk now, and prob would have then if it had been available. I think they're very similar in composition, so i wouldn't necessarily switch if i were in your position :)

Nonsensical · 07/10/2013 21:21

We have used Alpro 1 plus (pic of giraffe on packet so known as giraffe milk in our house) for years for my son who is now 5 - and no longer allergic to dairy but prefers it to cows milk, and my 2 yr old who is not allergic likes it too. It is more or less equivalent to full fat milk, it is fortified and although I think it has lots of sugar it has the right amount of calories for my very skinny little boy...
Good luck

Original poster
looseleaf · 08/10/2013 14:31

Thank you all so much. It's amazing how much better you feel when a bit lost and so many kind replies.
bigwelly did you have your DC's calcium levels checked? Am curious whether this can be done and so far only know that DS has been very iron deficient which is why I'm a bit anxious about his nutrition in general (but especially his iron intake which is another topic really!). He's also gone from 99th centile in weight as a baby to under 19th now and the health visitor said to give him lots of calories, I do try but apart from offering lots of healthy and high calorie foods I don't know what else I can do...

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Original poster
looseleaf · 08/10/2013 14:33

Ps I think I'll carry on with oatly mostly and Kara/ other DF milk sometimes for a change. And may see if I can talk to our GP if still unsettled about DS' nutrition as I'm hoping more solids will give him more energy

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hugoagogo · 08/10/2013 19:06

If your ds is iron deficient and underweight, I would talk to your dr about the most suitable alternatives that are both high in calories and iron. Most milk substitutes tend to be low in calories and iron and are not ideal for toddlers.

After re-reading your op; you mention that he can tolerate some dairy, which is good. I wonder if he would be able to tolerate 'lactofree' milk? It is ordinary milk that has been treated to remove the lactose, you can get it in a full fat version and it is widely available.

BloodshotDays · 08/10/2013 19:11

DD (2.9) has Soya Milk as her Mum doesn't drink dairy, glad to know we're not the only weirdos who go round the supermarket looking for 'Giraffe Milk' also!!

impecuniousmarmoset · 08/10/2013 19:15

another vote for oatly, as I think it has same calcium content as milk. We used to fortify it with a powder called 'duocal' (mix of glucose and fat! got it from GP on prescription) until DD reached about 3.5, as it's pretty low-fat.

freefrommum · 09/10/2013 18:15

looseleaf We used to add olive oil to most of DS meals when he was little to increase his calories and fat (he also dropped from 98th centile to below 25th). We also gave him lots of mashed avocado and banana - really nutritious and full of 'good' fat.

Original poster
looseleaf · 10/10/2013 13:49

That a great idea, thanks. Waiting for my avocados to soften now but DS loves that mixture and I'd forgotten about it. And interesting about duocal, thanks.
Also I will add olive oil as mean to sometimes and forget!

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