Ideas for a dairy-free diet!

[CoffeeChocolateWine]

Not so much ‘Infant feeding’...more ‘Mummy feeding’ but not sure where to post it!

So my DD (13 weeks) has a suspected dairy allergy and in order to confirm it, I have to go dairy free for the next 4 weeks to see if her symptoms ease. And if it is confirmed I’ll be dairy free a bit longer term.

Obviously I am happy to do whatever is necessary to help my DD feel better but...I love cheese, I have cereal with milk or milky porridge or granola with fruit and yoghurt for breakfast most days, milk in coffee, and chocolate has become a staple part of my diet to get me through these early months! On the plus side, it might help me shift a bit of baby weight, but I feel a bit overwhelmed at the thought of giving it all up and I’m having a slightly irrational “well, what can I eat?” moment!

Could you give me some ideas for tasty dairy free meals, what are the best milk substitutes and dairy free substitutes for other foods? What substitute milk goes best in coffee? I bought almond milk, coconut milk, soya milk and oat milk yesterday but they all tasted a bit gross in coffee. I could have it black but if there is something that goes well in coffee that would be better! I made some porridge this morning with almond milk and water and that was actually really nice!

[CoffeeChocolateWine]

Oh yes, I'm definitely staying dairy-free for the moment. It is helping her...her nappy rash has cleared up and she is no longer passing blood. I think the constipation may be just down to the chane in my diet, but it's the reflux that I'm a little concerned about. It seems worse not better. Perhaps that's down to a change in diet too so I will continue as normal.

Back to the subject of milk to go in coffee, if it helps anyone, the Alpro hazelnut milk is the best one I've found so far. Goes really well and not so much of an after-taste.

[Flatwhite32]

Hi @CoffeeChocolateWine I'm doing the same! My DD (8 weeks) broke out in a terrible eczema rash on her face last week. The poor thing was so itchy. Her nappies were awful too. The GP suggested I cut out dairy for a fortnight to see what happens. Her eczema is loads better, but I'm not sure if that's due to the cream they prescribed, or the no dairy! I hated the no dairy to start with, but it is going a bit better now. I mainly miss butter, cheese and cake! I'm using Oatley barista milk in coffee, and it's quite good! She still has bad wind though, and now hasn't pooed for 3 days, so that's a bit of a mystery!

[CoffeeChocolateWine]

Good luck with it @Flatwhite32. How are you finding it so far? I’m feeling a lot happier about the no dairy thing now that I’ve found a milk for my coffee! And I do believe my jeans are feeling a little looser so that’s a bonus! I really hope it helps your little one. My DD is constipated too. I’m putting it down to the change in diet and hoping it might ease soon.