Need advice on a dairy free diet please

[tutu100]

Ds2 seems to have a dairy intolerance, it's a very long winded story, but atm the doctor thinks it is temporary due to a stomach bug (I disagree - but we'll see). I have been told to keep him dairy free for a week, them reintroduce dairy products slowly.

Anyway atm we are giving him soya milkshakes first thing in the morning and before bed as he won't drink plain soya milk. However I am worried about the levels of sugar and the phytoestrogens in it. He drank some oatly tonight instead was going to try him with rice milk, but then remembered reading a thread where someone said it wasn't suitable for under 5's. Ds2 is 15 months.

Just wanted to know what suggestions people had for what he can drink. Also where can I get a good selection of dairy free products. My local supermarkets are all a bit rubbish.

I spoke to my nutritionist a few weeks ago about being dairy free and the issues with the alternatives (I have a dairy free 12 month old) and she advised that it's important to keep a balanced view about what they are eating. As long as he is getting a balanced diet and not relying on one source of food too much you should be OK.

Rice Milk was shown to have higher than recommended levels of mercury and advised not suitable as a main milk source for under twos. The advise was also that the organic rice milks are likely to have lower levels.

The phytoestrogens risks are higher for infants who are on soya formula as their main (only) food source. Again, the organic versions are much better.

You can add almond milk powder to food (not great to drink), eg porridge, rice pudding etc. Unless he is demanding milk in the morning and evening, you don't have to insist that he is drinking the same amount of non dairy as he was having dairy.

The things to think about are calories, calcium and iron (in formulas) which you can use a suppliment for.

If this is a longer term solution, you should ask for a referral to a dietician who will be able to help, in the meantime Lucy Burney has written a good book, optimal nutrition for infants and toddlers which offers advice for dairy and wheat free options.

Did you post this in the allergy thread too?

Good Luck.

Hi. Found this thread whilst looking for some advice about my dairy-free toddler.

How did it go re-introducing?

If you are still struggling then you're not alone - my DD has been dairy-free since 15mo, now 2y 1m and we're still dairy-free after many re-introduction failures. So I've got lots of info if you need any more tips.

Just so you know there is also a range called:
Alpro
Lacto free
these have milk but also yogurts and cheeses.

Hubby is dairy free and he likes the lacto free loads. the whole famil eat the hard cheese.

They do desserts too - lots of choice out there these days

good luck