Milk ladder fail.

Olivia199 · 2023-03-08T22:05:23+00:00

Hello, Just looking to the hive mind for some reassurance. My 18 month old daughter started her second attempt at the milk ladder 4 days ago with tiny bits of malted milk. She's been extra gassy but nothing else of note really. Today though, nursery called to say she'd had 6 bowel movements and the last 3 were pure mucous. I went to collect her and she had another 2, again, mucousy goodness. Her poor nappy area is red raw and blistering. Her eczema is all red, raw and sore looking and she also has a rash over her back and legs which looks like hives to me. Now we did have a rash previously but it was never hives so that felt disconcerting. I've given her some piriton before she scratched herself to bits and she's seemingly doing much better. She's non-IGE to cows milk protein and tolerates soy in smaller quantities (can manage items containing soy, and one yogurt every other day or so, but didn't do so well on soy milk and if she has more yogurt than normal her tummy doesn't tolerate it so well - I've stopped yogurts for the ladder.) I'm genuinely surprised at the speed with which the symptoms started and it seems worse than our previous fail. She is, however, fairly happy in herself. Last time she was MISERABLE. I contacted her dietician who we've had very little input from and they asked if I planned to stop which I said yes and then told me they'd call me back at some point... Where do I go from here? Was I right to stop? I'd have thought they'd have given some indication either way but I think I may have spoken to the admin lady who just took a message. She's obviously reacting and I'm not going to continue but is this now another few months before we try again? I was weirdly sure this one would work... wishful thinking?! Thanks all.

superoz · 08/03/2023 22:21

You were definitely right to stop, it sounds like with the delay, it was a non IgE allergic reaction.

Hopefully you get to speak to the dietician soon but I think you will be advised not to try again for a while. It is definitely what we were told before with dc.

Eczema can be so uncomfortable for children, it disrupts sleep, and the scratching is awful, so I’m sure your dd would be much happier without.

PutinTheFuckingBasket · 08/03/2023 22:22

Yes, I would stop. The dietician may tell you to carry on as they don't necessarily consider mucous to be enough of a reaction, only when there's blood, but honestly, I couldn't and didn't do that to my child. My son didn't have success on stage one of the milk ladder until he was about 2 and 2 months, and then he raced up it (also allergy to soya which cleared earlier, although I never bothered going as high as yoghurt...)

Some just take longer than others, and considering how dismissive medical professionals can be of CMPA I only followed their guidance roughly and did what I thought was best for my son. Dairy free is of course a PITA, but most kids do grow out of it sooner or later.

Hope your LO gets better soon x

Stopdropnroll · 08/03/2023 22:49

I've had a child with cmpa and a paediatrician once told me that generally children don't grow out of it till they are 2, mine was about 2.5 when she stopped reacting to things and then sailed through the milk ladder, the only thing was that for a while she wouldn't drink cows milk even though I was pretty sure she wouldn't react to it but now she's 5 and happily drinks it. I'd stop and try again in a few months.

Original poster

Olivia199 · 09/03/2023 14:40

Thank you all for your replies! Surprisingly the dietician contacted me this morning. She's slightly concerned that the reaction seems to be getting worse each time. Advice was to stop all dairy AND soy, start a probiotic and then attempt the soy ladder after our next appointment in a month or so. For now, leaving dairy.

I felt quite confident in being dairy free as she's always been as such - diagnosed very early on at 3 weeks old, and I've gotten into my groove with it.

Soy free has thrown me!! It's in bloody everything. Though I'm confident she'll be okay to reintroduce the first couple steps soon as she was always fine with soy providing it wasn't too much yogurt or any milk. (And honestly those weren't a reaction in the typical sense. She was just uncomfortable after and as horrible as that is, it wasn't something I'd be too concerned about as its easy enough to limit soy yogurts and just use oat milk).

Hopefully all is well and she's feeling better soon. Poor things still sore and itchy though thankfully a reduction in horrific poops today..!

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Stopdropnroll · 09/03/2023 14:50

My child was milk soy and egg allergic and I know what you mean about it being in everything but you can do this so don't be daunted! As you say use oat milk, also oatly do good yogurts and a faux creme fraiche which is good for cooking with. Aldi bread is also good for being milk and soy free, I couldn't find one in tesco but aldi own brand was fine, also their stock cubes were OK from memory. Also a lot of ready made pastry if milk and soy free, which is useful for a quick meal.

Original poster

Olivia199 · 09/03/2023 15:42

Stopdropnroll · 09/03/2023 14:50

My child was milk soy and egg allergic and I know what you mean about it being in everything but you can do this so don't be daunted! As you say use oat milk, also oatly do good yogurts and a faux creme fraiche which is good for cooking with. Aldi bread is also good for being milk and soy free, I couldn't find one in tesco but aldi own brand was fine, also their stock cubes were OK from memory. Also a lot of ready made pastry if milk and soy free, which is useful for a quick meal.

Oh bless you, I can't imagine adding egg to the mix too! Thank you, hopefully it's just the month and then we can go back to having soy in stuff if nothing else. I managed to find a bread in tesco (and not an extortionate one which is nice...). The own brand wholemeal. So that'll do her for toast which is a relief.
Will definitely go and visit aldi too! Thank you for the tips, felt a bit overwhelmed with it all after the call.

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Stopdropnroll · 09/03/2023 17:19

I felt the same when I was getting ready to start solid foods with mine but a friend gave me a lovely but stern talking to! Yes the own brand loaves seem to be less likely to have soya in, its something to do with European flour not rising well so they add soy to it. Another handy one is the strawberry, apple or banana mini malt loaves are milk and soya free (not the original ones) so I used to keep some of those in my bag for snacks. I used to know all the biscuits that are safe but for now the only ones I can think of are bourbons or oreos (again you can get in handy little packets) if I think of more I'll come back!

DappledOliveGroves · 09/03/2023 17:24

We're slightly similar in that DD can't tolerate any gluten, and also reacts to dairy. She's now 13 months and we're on Step 2/3 of the milk ladder. Her eczema is mild but flares a bit now and then, but doesn't seem especially related to dairy and I don't know how much is teething causing some redness.

Her reaction to gluten is awful though. Diarrhoea, awful nappy rash (bum red raw) and happens within hours of any gluten exposure. She used to react to gluten in my breast milk until we finally worked out what was causing her symptoms and I cut it out. I'm hoping we can get up the milk ladder ok, as trying to give her a varied diet with no dairy and no gluten is difficult and stressful!

Hope your DD feels better soon!

Twizbe · 09/03/2023 17:45

I'd stop too. My son kept reacting so we stopped and just didn't try again.

He's 6 now and we've said it's totally up to him. If he wants to try on the future he can and we will support that.

He's so used to being dairy free now that I just don't think it bothers him.

As a family we are 90% dairy free too so easy as a family to maintain

Original poster

Olivia199 · 09/03/2023 17:53

Stopdropnroll · 09/03/2023 17:19

I felt the same when I was getting ready to start solid foods with mine but a friend gave me a lovely but stern talking to! Yes the own brand loaves seem to be less likely to have soya in, its something to do with European flour not rising well so they add soy to it. Another handy one is the strawberry, apple or banana mini malt loaves are milk and soya free (not the original ones) so I used to keep some of those in my bag for snacks. I used to know all the biscuits that are safe but for now the only ones I can think of are bourbons or oreos (again you can get in handy little packets) if I think of more I'll come back!

Starting solids definitely gave me a pause too. I never thought I'd get my head around the dairy but honestly its second nature now so just another step to take!
Oh that's amazing, thank you! She loves the mini malt loaves but I hadn't checked them for soy so that's a bonus. It never occurred to me to check oreos.. always assumed they have dairy in! She loves the little gruffalo biscuits as a treat snack.
I do like a nice handy packet..!
Thank you so much.

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Original poster

Olivia199 · 09/03/2023 17:56

DappledOliveGroves · 09/03/2023 17:24

We're slightly similar in that DD can't tolerate any gluten, and also reacts to dairy. She's now 13 months and we're on Step 2/3 of the milk ladder. Her eczema is mild but flares a bit now and then, but doesn't seem especially related to dairy and I don't know how much is teething causing some redness.

Her reaction to gluten is awful though. Diarrhoea, awful nappy rash (bum red raw) and happens within hours of any gluten exposure. She used to react to gluten in my breast milk until we finally worked out what was causing her symptoms and I cut it out. I'm hoping we can get up the milk ladder ok, as trying to give her a varied diet with no dairy and no gluten is difficult and stressful!

Hope your DD feels better soon!

Oh gosh that sounds so hard! So glad you got to the bottom of it and hopefully your journey up the milk ladder is a success. It can definitely be a stress, especially when it comes to the rare event of eating out or eating at a friend's house. It's also so bloody expensive with the mark up on dairy free options.
She seems to be feeling a little better today thank you. Happy as Larry eating some fish fingers!

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Original poster

Olivia199 · 09/03/2023 17:57

Twizbe · 09/03/2023 17:45

I'd stop too. My son kept reacting so we stopped and just didn't try again.

He's 6 now and we've said it's totally up to him. If he wants to try on the future he can and we will support that.

He's so used to being dairy free now that I just don't think it bothers him.

As a family we are 90% dairy free too so easy as a family to maintain

That sounds like a really good option. I've also always liked the idea of her being able to actually tell me what she wants and whether she's feeling a bit funky. We are around the same. For the most part we are all dairy free with the odd treat for me (like some cheese on my pasta!). It's definitely easier just rolling with the DF.

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AdventFridgeOfShame · 09/03/2023 18:01

Soreen malt loaf THE ORIGINAL is now milk and dairy free

Aldi flat breads are also dairy dairy and soy free, I've never had a cross contamination off them either. I have an enthusiastic allergy to soy and dairy. I think I have read every label in every shop.

What type of products are you after?

AdventFridgeOfShame · 09/03/2023 18:17

FFS that should say dairy and soy free.

Original poster

Olivia199 · 09/03/2023 19:48

AdventFridgeOfShame · 09/03/2023 18:01

Soreen malt loaf THE ORIGINAL is now milk and dairy free

Aldi flat breads are also dairy dairy and soy free, I've never had a cross contamination off them either. I have an enthusiastic allergy to soy and dairy. I think I have read every label in every shop.

What type of products are you after?

Ooooh!! This is exciting! We do love a bit of malt load in this house. I'm an original girl through and through.
Definitely sounds like I'll take a visit to aldi at the weekend. I do find them quite good for this stuff.
Honestly... anything that can be counted as a snack or dinner in any form! I've never had to look for soy before so it's cropping up in some weird and wonderful places now. I guess I didn't know where to start really..! I've managed to get a little haul for the week and so far most the substitutes have been things like our bread and whatnot. Which was obviously expected. Glad I found the tescos own wholemeal.. the only other one was a £4 loaf of sourdough which looked like it'd feed me for all of about 3 seconds, let alone my extra hungry child!

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AdventFridgeOfShame · 09/03/2023 20:24

Fresh pizza base, in the chilled section with the pastry. Naan breads and wraps from the bakery.

Except for specials, aldi is bad for vegan cheese and margarines.

Gingernuts, oaties, bourbons etc are fine and for a treat to share the aldi version of biscotti has no dairy or soy. Biscuits and spread.

Occasionally they have vegan brioche buns or vegan chocolate croissants.

Most people do not react to soya lectins.

Original poster

Olivia199 · 09/03/2023 20:42

AdventFridgeOfShame · 09/03/2023 20:24

Fresh pizza base, in the chilled section with the pastry. Naan breads and wraps from the bakery.

Except for specials, aldi is bad for vegan cheese and margarines.

Gingernuts, oaties, bourbons etc are fine and for a treat to share the aldi version of biscotti has no dairy or soy. Biscuits and spread.

Occasionally they have vegan brioche buns or vegan chocolate croissants.

Most people do not react to soya lectins.

Amazing suggestions, thank you so much. Also exciting to hear the biscotti are DF/SF... she really rather liked them when we tried them for our previous ladder attempt!
I'll definitely keep an eye out for the brioche and croissants too as that'd be a nice treat for her (as will the biscuits!)
I spoke to them again earlier to clarify as to whether I had to avoid lectins as they weren't even on the ladder she'd sent through. Thankfully she's said we are fine to keep that in her diet which makes a big difference!

Thank you again!

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AdventFridgeOfShame · 09/03/2023 20:54

If you like Chinese and SE Asian food
Soy sauce replacement
Dark miso replacement

AdventFridgeOfShame · 09/03/2023 20:56

Oh and watch out for fish and chip shops, standard batter mix contains soy.

Original poster

Olivia199 · 09/03/2023 22:17

AdventFridgeOfShame · 09/03/2023 20:56

Oh and watch out for fish and chip shops, standard batter mix contains soy.

Devastating... it's her favourite treat! Will have to do a reward fish and chips once we're out the other side!

Love the other replacements as we both quite enjoy some Chinese meals.

Thank you so much - honestly this has been amazing!

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AdventFridgeOfShame · 10/03/2023 08:19

Ask at the local shop.
Our pub uses beer and ordinary flour.

momfromkc · 27/10/2023 18:43

Mine is also allergic to those plus wheat and nuts. When did your child get better? which one did he pass first and at what age? I am honestly feel so depressed and sad for him. We just failed 1st step on the milk ladder at 21 months. Any word of advice would be helpful and success story. Thanks!

Original poster

Olivia199 · 28/10/2023 07:59

@momfromkc - Oh bless you lovely, I'm so sorry this is happening. Its really stressful. You've messaged at a good time though as we've got good news!
My DD failed miserably again, worst than before on a crumb of malted milk after 3 days back when she was around 22 months. I started losing hope of her ever passing as the reaction was so bad.

However, she's now 26 months and today we have officially marked step one as a PASS!!! She's totally flown through it and we are onto muffins. Although we've got a long way to go I'm finally hopeful that if she can now tolerate that, she'll tolerate the rest one day.

She's had some tricky times with allergies in her two years but we may just be coming out the other side.

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Original poster

Olivia199 · 28/10/2023 08:00

Also she passed soy first but it remains that she can't really manage much soy milk as it gives her tummy cramps. So we stick to oat. Figured it was no hardship and she isn't reacting to it as such!

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Sharnai · 12/04/2025 20:59

I wonder if your still active on this forum if your DD managed to pass all the steps? I hope so! 14 months here, had in my head he would pass for sure but his eczema is red raw and angry, he was sick the day after, wouldn't sleep, up in the night for hours miserable and pooing like there's no tomorrow, with lots of mucus in of course. Poor love. We see the dietician next month so really hoping they can give us some advice. Fingers crossed that your little has grown out of it now!