Cows milk causing constipation

[NameChange74567]

Switched DD to cow milk nearly 3 weeks ago. She has been in constant discomfort since, unable to poo, screaming in pain when trying to pop. Her appetite reduced and eating/drinking half of what she usually does. She just seemed miserable, wouldn't play, and wanted cuddled for most of the day. GP prescribed a laxative which has helped but, even on the maximum dose, she still seems in pain, and poos are hard and still like pellets.

She can eat cheese and yogurt and can tolerate small amounts of cows milk in cereal. It seems to be large volumes of milk that cause the problem.

I switched her to a soya milk, fortified with protein, calcium, vitamin C&D, and iron, and within 3 days her poos we're back to normal. No pain/discomfort/crying and seemed back to her happy self.

GP phoned to see how she was getting on with the laxative, and when I told him I had stopped giving her it and switched her to soya milk, he wasn't impressed. He insisted she needs cows milk in her diet and that the soya milk is not enough. He wants me to continue with the laxative and keep her on cows milk for at least another week.

Wwyd, would you continue with the laxative or stick with the soya milk?

What age is she?
There is a soya milk designed for age 1+, is that what you're giving?
Or try goats milk maybe

She was 1 on Monday. It's Alpro 1+ growing up soya milk I'm giving her.

Exactly the same thing happened to us with DS1, he just couldn't handle lots of cows milk. Fine with milk in cheese, yogurt etc.

We switched to oat milk and he's had that ever since (he's now 5). He can still be a little bit prone to constipation but it's so much better!

Your DD doesn't need cow's milk, what does your Gp think children raised vegan or with milk allergies do?! I would trust your instincts and stick with the soya milk if that's working for you.

Have you tried coconut milk? I only buy it for DDs cereal because it lasts a lot longer than cows milk. She really likes it. Never have cows milk In the house because it always goes off (we're not milk/tea drinkers).

There are lots of non-milk-drinking cultures so you can get good nutritional outcomes without it. You have identified protein + calcium + other micronutrients as the areas that might be in deficit so seems pretty appropriate if you have a strategy (plus actually maintaining a reasonable amount of dairy).

I don't know if your GP is overgeneralising from the advice against soy milks in

She does not need cow's milk, how stupid of your gp to basically suggest needlessly feeding her something that makes her ill.

The soya milk if definitely making a difference, normal poos, no more screaming in pain and no need for the laxative. Have since had the HV on the phone reiterating GPs concern about the lack of cows milk. Both are adamant it is basically essential and insisting I persevere with the cows milk and laxative. I can't being myself to put her through the discomfit and pain when she had the fortified soya milk as well as regularly eating cheese and yoghurt.

She is a good eater and definitely has her 5 a day with fruit and veg.