is the doctor right? end of tether, advice please!!

[kateakasophsmom]

hi guys!
my 18 month old daughter is a good eater, sure she is picky over some things, but generally eats well, her weight is good too, she sis not a chunky baby however.
I started her on cows milk (full fat) a couple of weeks after her first birthday, she was fine on it for around 3 months, but then started to be up with what seemsed terrible stomach ache in the night, writhing around her cot, knees up and crying alot (in all this time her eating habits had not changed)
i first tried going back to slow flow teats, no help, then medium flow, no help again,
i took her to our GP, who insisted that she be put onto follow on milk, due to a lactose intolerance, so i bought some the same day (cow and gate - the same brand as when she was on cows milk)
ever since - approx 4 weeks, she has had diarreah, or very very sloppy poo's. sometimes it is once a day, some times every half an hour or more, she seems quite happy in herself, but has now developed nappy rash for the first time ever. she is back at the doctors again monday, i have taken her already about this problem but the gp seemed so disinterested, she is seeing a locum doc this time.
Have any of u had the same experience as us? this is so distressing and i am filled with worry for my girly!!
thanks in advance!!

I know lactose intolerance can start at any time but thinking about it, it's strange that it coincided with weaning given that I assume she's had breastmilk/formula without issue since birth.

I wouldnt give rice milk as it isnt advised under the age of 5 due to arsenic levels. I would go back to the gp and in the meantime try lactose free cows milk and see if it helps.

p.s. how much milk does she take as only the equivalent of 300mls is required from 1 year (and that is inclusive of milk with cereal, in foods and other dairy products)

Sorry, didn't mean to give duff advice- I thought it was just soya milk that wasn't recommended for children. I'm sure oat or lactofree cows milk is fine though. Agree that you should go back to doctor, perhaps see a different one as it seems last one was misinformed.

Do not give rice milk

Give calcium fortified oat milk for a stop gap. But id be asking for further tests as some one said she shouldn't suddenly develop CMPI or lactose intolerance

It's also worth asking about coeliac disease as all her symptoms would fit with that too. Both coeliac and milk allergies can be checked with blood tests.

Hiya All,
ive just logged on and read all posts, we r going back to the doctor, arned with a pen and pad!! Sophie has been the same again today, i got up every 2 hours last night and changed her to try to help the rash, was much better this morning and sore again this eve :(
ive given her lacto free cows milk tonight,
thanks for all your support ladies, been really helpful,
will let u know th eoutcome tomo
kate xx

Good luck tomorrow , hope you get somewhere.

It's possible to become allergic or intolerant to anythin at any time. There are many alternatives if milk is the problem. And it's pretty easy to live dairy free these days. Many do it and our children are happy and healthy. Don't worry too much about the implications, there are loads of people here that can give amazing advice on substitutes and where to find all the information you need.

I hope you get somewhere with the dr, ask to see a dietician if need be as allergies aren't every drs expertise. Hope your dd feels much better soon!!! X

I can personally recommend kara coconut milk and alpro junior plus but i fortunately don't have soya as a problem with my dd. good luck tomorrow xx

Hi - I would ask for a referral to a dietician for testing/diagnosis. My son developed an allergy to Cows Milk Protein once we started weaning and after I stopped exclusive breastfeeding.

If you do need to replace dairy with an alternative, please do NOT use soy products. They are not a healthy option..... link

And if you do find your daughter is lactose intolerant and feel able to consider it, then try unpasteurised milk - there is much research to suggest that it's the pasteurisation of milk that causes lactose intolerance, as it destroys the lactase enzyme found in unpasteurised milk which helps the digestion of lactose. This enzyme is destroyed during the pasteurisation process....... I believe you can buy it direct from farms in the UK. Obviously this is something you would have to carefully consider. There are many websites that offer more information on the case for 'raw' milk. A simple google search will bring up loads.

Whatever you choose, do your research first. I hope you find a solution soon! Oh, and zinc and castor oil cream (cheap as chips from the pharmacy) is a wonderful healer and soother of nappy rash x