just wondering about los with milk protein allergy and how many bottles of milk per day

[bunnyhunny]

a silly concern really.

I know lots of people with dcs of 1 yr who are down to a small bottle in the morning and another small one at night. But as ds can't have dairy or soy, he is still on 3x 7-8oz bottles of prescription formula per day. I keep hearing the message that they should drop their bottles and formula when they are over a year.

I think I am needlessly concerned, as I can't think of any other way to keep his calcium intake etc up, as I can't substitute it for anything. But can other people whose lo's couldnt take dairy just reassure me that they also carried on with this many bottles when their lo's passed 1 yr?

Hi bunnyhunny

My ds (dairy allergy) is just coming off formula now at age 2. I dropped him to 2 x 6oz at 1 year, then 1x 6oz b/w 18mo and 2 years.

The health visitor told me he should be getting 1 pt a day at age 12 mo - but if I gave him that he stopped eating solids so I did restrict his intake.

If your lo is eating solids well I should stick with what you are doing, though you may want to cut down gradually over the next year.

Have you been referred to a dietician. Ours didn't know much about the allergy side of things but has been useful for recommending alternative sources of calcium.

thanks, that reassures me

It's its any help, we had exactly the same worries, and did the same as wb. Two bottles from about 1yr, and she's just 2 and finishing her last supply of formula (one a day). Try to speak to dietician, as wb said. Try those Alpro yoghurts for calcium, plus Alpro soya milk with added calcium (dietician said it was the same as formula in calcium terms.) Also tahini, and fish bones (eg sardines) good for calcium.

thanks sagitta!
he can't have alpro yogurts as he is also allergic to soya!
he is currently eating well and taking his 3 bottles, do you think we should drop to 2 then?

If he's allergic to soya too, then I might tread more carefully, as our dd could make it up with soya milk. Can you ask GP or HV what he should be getting? Ignore what everyone else is doing - you're in a different situation. And try to look up sources of calcium - there are lots of surprising ones, but I can't remember them all. Try getting referred to dietician.
If its any consolation, DD (2) is now growing out of it. Some cheeses are OK (try parmesan, that's been OK for a while for some reason), and eggs in cakes etc are OK, although I haven't tried egg dishes, milk, cream etc yet.
By the way, I don't know of your DS is a pudding man, but I always felt sad that DD could harldy ever eat pudding. I've just discovered these (disgusting IMO, and very messy) fruit juice jellies.

Personally I would give him a suppliment, if you ask in boots they will tell you what is suitable. Only thing to be really carefull of is that often added calcuim can be from milk IYSWIM. My DD had the same allergies at that age there is calcium in some veg but I think they would need such a lot that it is worth topping it up a bit.
On the other hand if he is drinking his 3 bottles a day and still eating plenty I wouldn't worry too much, the guidleines are based on los that don't have special dietry needs.

we do have a supplement, but he does take a full pint, so we havent needed to use it.
I just wondered if I should keep up 3 bottles a day, seeing as everyone else is on a bit in the morning and at night, but you are right - the guidelines are for people without special dietary requirements.
thanks for all your advice.

Hi bunnyhunny, What milk are you using? DD is milk/soy allergic too, also rice, meat and citrus.

I've been worried about the same thing. DD is 19 months, still on 3 8oz bottles of Nutramigen 1 per day.
I talked to dietician this week, basically its meeting her nutritional requirements but if we drop to 2 8oz bottles we would have to swap to Nutramigen 2, and up her food, which could be a problem as we are so limited.

She loves her 3 o'clock bottle and I can't see any benefit in stopping it. Dietician thinks its fine to carry on and I've also spoken to my paed consultant and he said to carry on until she showed signs of wanting more food.

So, I'd say do what you think is right for you two and just relax and trust your instincts. I don't think we can compare out little ones to others without allergies as their diets are so varied.

Hope all goes well. I use the Milkfree website too, some good lists of calcuim/iron rich foods.

Hi, my son (19 months) has been on Neocate Active which is just about one bottle a day (he drinks from cups though) and contains a full serving of calcium for the 1+ crowd. He's been on it since around 13 months old. It's not formula as you need other foods to balance it out, but is designed for older kids as a dairy replacement. Maybe ask your doctor/dietician about this instead of formula?