Does anyone use alternative "milk" products?

[samwifewithkid]

Another thread got me thinking. Was wondering if anyone uses alternative "milk" products? What do you use? Any tips and advice generally? Would like to hear peoples stories and thoughts on this subject. I have had a niggle in the back of my mind for a while now about cows milk, and am thinking of trying other things. But short of buying every alternative on the market and testing them, would like some advice really.

my son suffered from projectile refux from a baby and continual skin problems, the reflux got considerably worse at age 1 when he was put onto cows milk and yet more unspecific undiagnosable rashes and skin complaints so i decided to switch him to soya milk, (provamel) reflux stopped overnight and sking calmed down. About a year later skin started to flair up so switched him to rice milk (rich dream with added calcium) skin been 95% better since and no reflux. We have always added liquid vitamins and he has been fine. He is now 4.25. Why are you thinking of changing samwwk?

I also am looking for tips on what people think about switching to Cow's milk. My little boy is 12 months and on SMA progress formula. Does anyone have any experience?
Some of the books say cows milk, some say the progress milks are better.

ds only drinks soya milk, just because he doesn't like cow's milk. however read somewhere it's not recommended for below 2 y as it contains "plant hormones/oestrogenes". Also read to be careful as it does not contain any cholesterol (needed for development) but not a problem for ds as eats plenty of yoghurt.
sorry, no experience with sma but seem to rememeber from expert mnetters (mears?) that cow's milk not a problem at that age.

My ds has had soya formula since he was seven weeks old after developing a rash and was being violently sick on normal formula. he is now eight months old weighs 20lbs + healthy solid baby (not fat!) I use alpro milk on his cerial in the mornings he loves soya yogurts (with added calcium), cheese and likes getting messy with dairy free custard creams and bourbons. DD aged 4.5 had cows milk and has had terrible ezcema ds is completly clear. I would like to give dd dairy free diet but is difficult when she's set in her ways and knows what she likes.

ps he only has the buiscuits as an occasional treat not a daily thing(just about to comment on the obesity thread)

I also use alpro milk for Ds and have been since he turned one (he's 2:6 now). The fresh soya millk is great, but even the UHT isn't that bad in tea. Alpro also do a good range of other "dairy free" desserts, yogurts etc. You can get non-dairy ice cream under the name "Swedish Glace", and the Redwood Company do good non dairy cheese, both in Holland in Barratt, or sometimes even Tescos. All the Alpro products (I think) are fortified with calcium, and you can get milk with added vitamins as well. OTOH, my friend has a DS the same age with asthma/excema, and she gets Infasoy on prescription. Is it an allergy/health issue with your chn, or a veggie/ vegan thing?