Cows milk causing upset stomach?

[Gem13]

DS (15 months) has been on organic full fat cows milk since just before 12 months after full time breast feeding.

A few weeks ago (6?) he had an upset stomach with lots of dirty nappies and terrible nappy nash (burns) but was fine in himself, eating and drinking normally.

After a week with his poor bottom looking so sore the doctor advised to put him onto goats milk to calm his stomach down so that we could help it to heal.

We did this and his grotty poos stopped. But yesterday we ran out of goats milk, gave him some cows milk and he has had 4 revolting stinky nappies today.

Is this a coincidence or can children react like this to cows milk? All the information on intolerance and allergies doesn't mention this situation. He doesn't have any other symptoms and DH and I are allergy free and big milk guzzlers.

Gem I am wondering the same thing about my DD1 (3.5 years). she's been on cows milk since 1 year old but had a lot of stomach bugs with ongoing diarroeah in the last year, last one 2 weeks ago and runny poo ever since but nothing else wrong with her (except strange occasional rashes), we are wondering if it's cow's milk causing it. A GP friend told me they can develop an intolerance after a stomach bug.

Really need to know the answer as she's been off school for 2 weeks. She's a total milkoholic too so cutting it out will be hard. Like you we've been an allergy free family til now. Let me know if you find out any answers.

Have you tried goats milk? I think it tastes horrible but DS guzzles it happily - cold and warm (when it smells really quite strong).

The GP also said soya milk would be fine but he turned his nose up at that!

The joy of goats milk is the goaty smelling wee nappies but anything for a happier tummy.

I think we will try goats milk and soya.

We've already eliminated fruit, fruit juice and dried fruit from her diet lately - that's most of her favourite "healthy" foods banned.

but as you say, anything for a happy tummy.

Gem13 Hi, it could be a temporary intolerance caused by the upset stomach, where the gut gets a bit leaky. As well as stopping milk I would give ds probiotics (which give you the most beautiful poos) After a couple of weeks try the milk again, but continue the probiotics and then gradually reduce the dose, bumping it back up if the symptoms return. Goats milk alone is not really the best answer. If the gut is leaky over time your ds will create antibodies to the proteins in goats milk which are quite similar and you will have the problem over again.

I had this with my dd - so I took her off cows milk., although its only when she drinks it not when she has a little bit on cereal or yoghurt. Anyway three months later we are trying it again. She did have a little reaction with goats milk too.