Milk ladder - Help, biscuit recipes, dairy free advice....

[polster1]

I want to start the milk ladder with my almost 1 yr old, he has a mild milk protein intolerance. He is breastfed and I've been off dairy and soya since he was about 5 months old. I've got some information from the dietician who recommended starting with the soya ladder if I remember correctly although I'm not so bothered about soya and would rather get on with dairy. I've read mixed things about the ladder and that the evidence for it is not that strong and that some children tolerate unbaked dairy over baked/highly processed dairy, does anyone have any knowledge about this?

The first food on the ladder is malted milk biscuits and although I know it's not that much sugar I'm really keen not to introduce highly processed/refined sugar food in his diet, especially as he would need to eat it regularly until we move onto the next stage. Does anyone have a sugar free recipe for malted milk biscuits? Or something similar?

Finally any suggestions for dairy free foods/recipes that can get not only calcium but enough fat etc his diet? He is extremely hungry, down to a milk feed morning and evening only (back at work and not interested in special formula) but he eats loads and always wants more. Sleep finally getting better but wakes anything between 4 and 6 for a feed.
Thanks

Any ideas!

Could you bake home made biscuits using a margarine that contains milk? Not sure if that is a good starting point?

I'm quite surprised that you've heard there's not much evidence for the milk ladder! It's worked for loads of people and is recommended by all the top allergy peads/dietitians! Research shows 80% of children with milk allergy can tolerate baked milk and the idea is that if they eat it regularly the body can be induced to become more tolerant. So I would stick with it, if I were you.

Re. sugar, you're not the first to be concerned about the sugar levels.I believe there are people working on a list of foods with less sugar, but it has yet to be released. Meanwhile, did you know that there are some recipes to go with the milk ladder. You could perhaps always make them yourself and use less sugar or a non-refined sugar?? Recipe link here: static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1186%2F2045-7022-3-23/MediaObjects/13601_2013_430_MOESM3_ESM.docx

RE. Calcium and calories, I suggest making some 'milky' type puds using his usual milk. Rice pudding, custard and bread and 'butter' pudding are the most obvs that spring to mind. We also sometimes have pancakes for brekkie. You can also add calories by adding extra olive oil to LO's food. Little children are meant to have more fat than us apparently!

Hope this helps!