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Original poster

Can I give my 13 month year old Soya milk? He seems lactose intolerant

34 replies

2015mom · 25/10/2016 20:33

Full fat milk does not agree with 13 Month year old so can I give Soya milk (full fat) with added calcium and vitamins?

I have tried full fat normal milk, I have also tried Arla Big Milk but both don't agree with him as he poos straight after, very loose stools and a very sore bumSad

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dementedpixie · 25/10/2016 22:03

Have you tried lactofree milk first as it has the lactose broken down but still tastes like cows milk?

dementedpixie · 25/10/2016 22:03

Was he breast/formula fed before that as both those milks also contain lactose

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 25/10/2016 22:08

My two year old is lactose intolerant. His dietician said we can use soya milk 'in an emergency' but to use Lactofree for every day. Apparently soya is a major allergen so not a good replacement.

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doleritedinosaur · 25/10/2016 22:13

My DS has almond milk with added calcium he's dairy & soya intolerant.

I also make sure he gets calcium in other ways & has vitamin drops.

BreatheDeep · 25/10/2016 22:14

I thought soya milk was bad as it acts like oestrogen and can affect development.

I have a friend whose little girl is allergic dairy and she has used almond milk. Is that an option for you?

amysmummy12345 · 25/10/2016 22:15

Lots of veggies are major sources of calcium, more so than milk

Youcantscaremeihavechildren · 25/10/2016 22:17

My son has a complicated relation to dairy...as do I. Whilst bf him I ate some dairy and didn't notice any difference in him, but as soon as we weaned him he had explosive poo when he had yoghurt or milk.
19 months now and he can tolerate some butter and cheese, but still no milk or yoghurt.
He has alpro yoghurt which I mix fruit puree into, and almond milk from aldi. If I'm feeling flush I'll get oatley which he likes. I was told not to give him soya - he prefers almond anyway but apparently something to do with hormones that has now been disproved. I think you just have to make sure its fortified with extra calcium etc, I bf him several times a day anyway and he eats broccoli everyday so I'm not too worried about how much he has.

I drink soya milk but can tolerate cheese because I bloody luffs it but it does give me stomach ache if I have too much.
We've tried the odd bit of dairy to see how he goes with it but it's so difficult to tell if he's reacted as it's his sleep and nappies that are affected and both are so changeable anyway. There's a milk ladder you can try, can Google it.

BertieBotts · 25/10/2016 22:18

He doesn't need any milk at 13mo. If he's reacting to it just take him off it.

chattygranny · 25/10/2016 22:19

Lactose intolerance often goes along with soya intolerance. And it's often the protein in the milk which is the problem. Your GP should be able to refer you to a paediatric gastro doctor or allergist.

dementedpixie · 25/10/2016 22:20

He still needs a calcium source at that age though and dairy is an easy way to get it. I would try alternatives first before removing a whole food group

bloodyteenagers · 25/10/2016 22:25

Have you spoke to a medical professional?
What about for the past 13 months?
What about cheese, butter, bread, ice cream, some cereals, desserts, chocolate.

Original poster
2015mom · 26/10/2016 06:54

He has been breast fed since he was born. I had the same problem as a baby according to my mom.

He just had a drink of soya milk and had an explosive poo again.

I have not been able to take him to doctors because no appointments. I will try to get an appointment Friday morning to discuss with a doctor

He is fine with yoghurts, milk in cereals, cheese. It's just milk as a drink.

I will have to see what the health visitor and doctor say.

I will have to try all the other alternative as mentioned above. Don't know whether it worth finishing a milk for a few days to see if it makes a difference or if it reacts after one day then take him off the milk and try something new.

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Original poster
2015mom · 26/10/2016 06:57

The milk I gave him was the alpro soya full fat which is lactofree and has added calcium and added vitamins

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shouldwestayorshouldwego · 26/10/2016 07:05

I found it could take up to a week for the effects to wear off. Soya protein is very similar to cows milk and if he was fine with breast milk then it is more likely that it is a protein intolerance rather than lactose. I would seek medical help and do it in a controlled way. They don't need to drink milk at this age. Also I am not sure how you know he is ok with other dairy as it can take a day or two to see the effects. I would do a full elimination diet with a dietician. Remove both dairy and soya, look for improvement and then slowly reintroduce one and then the other.

Original poster
2015mom · 26/10/2016 07:08

Yeah that sounds like a good idea.

He doesn't have the explosive poos after cheese and yoghurt. I have stopped milk in the day so he has one if that poos in the day.

I only give him milk when he wakes up and at night before bed. He eats a lot during the day, he is eating every two hours, healthy balanced diet.

Will have to do the elimination diet

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shouldwestayorshouldwego · 26/10/2016 07:40

The problem is that the dairy can stay in the system for a while so you need to remove all dairy and then reintroduce it starting with more processed dairy.

dementedpixie · 26/10/2016 07:48

I would speak to a GP/dietician first though. Do you mean Alpro soya 1+ rather than normal soya milk as the 1+ milk is more tailored to that age group whereas normal soya milk isn't as nutritious for that age of baby/toddler.

Most of the milk substitutes are not suitable as a main drink before the age of 2 as they are low in fat and calories so as I said speak to a GP/HV, etc first before cutting it out.

Original poster
2015mom · 26/10/2016 19:56

Yeah the baby version of soya milk

Yep will definitely be discussing with doctor.. Fingers crossed I get an appointment tomorrow when I call

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Gileswithachainsaw · 26/10/2016 19:59

It's more likely he's intolerant to the protein than the lactose.

If it is the protein then nearly half who are intolerant to it are also on tolerant to soya as the proteins are similar.

I'd try Koko coconut milk
It's what I was recommended by a dietitian if dd reacted to the soya. Dd was fine with the alpro junior plus. But I'd give the Koko a try

BertieBotts · 26/10/2016 21:48

What about carrying on breastfeeding instead?

Original poster
2015mom · 27/10/2016 20:14

Thanks for that... I have got goats milk which u will try as soon as the soya finishes, if that doesn't work then I will try the koko

I went back to breastfeeding yday but I know my milk has reduced and I am 24 weeks pregnant so I really wanted him off breastmilk for good by November... But he does have the odd breastfeed

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Original poster
2015mom · 27/10/2016 20:15

I went to the doctors today also and she has referred me.. Hopefully the referral will resolve the issue

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Fannyfannakerpants · 27/10/2016 20:36

It will be the protein that is causing issues. It is incredibly rare for children to be allergic to lactose and if he was you would know within days of birth. My son was very cows milk protein allergic but my daughter sounds more like your son, fine with me eating it but not drinking it herself. As others have said, soya can cause issues as the proteins are similar however as it's not a serious allergy, you may be fine. It will also be trial and error with goats milk. There are 2 different proteins in cows milk and the one that most children are allergic to is less prevalent in goats milk so if it's a mild allergy you will be ok.
My son is outgrowing his allergy. The way that out doctor described it is, when it's mild or outgrowing, the body will tolerate the protein to a point but then it builds up and over flows and causes a reaction. So you need to cut back again.
Again, as others have said, if your careful, there really is no need to give a substitute. With a varied diet with nuts and greens, there is no need for milk. Once we are weaned, we have no need for dairy. Good luck. I'd love to say a referral will help but doctors have very little knowledge and there is very little that can be done other than elimination.

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 27/10/2016 21:07

Look out for symptoms in your baby too. I had one like your son who had a mild intollerance and was ok with soya but then another two who had severe symptoms from birth and I couldn't even consume traces of milk or protein as it set them off. By the time they went to school they were all able to tolerate various quantities of milk/ soya.

Zahrah5 · 28/10/2016 09:24

Soya milk is definitely unsuitable for babies due to phytohormones as well as soya being GMO.

Lactose-free milk, what is that? Sounds like highly processes milk, would never give that.

No milk is needed is baby has good diet, but if you want something for comfort you can give plant-based milks, those are not really milks, more like beverages. But not store-bought as there are only very few with clean ingrediences. You can easily make those at home, from almonds for example.