Switch to rice or soy milk?

[KDawn]

Hi dd is 10 mos and on formula, she was breastfed till  8mos.  i just went yesterday to a couple who said that dairy does not agree with her.  This is what I thought all along since switching to the formula.  They did the   kinesiology tests on her, pretty neat!  They said more of an intolerance now and that as she matures it can be reintroduced.  So I amnot sure to go with soy formula or rice milk.  I gave her some rice milk today.  She is alsso on ranitidine for mild reflux.  They also said carrot juice is excellent.  Plus to give her some pure, unfiltered applejuice, the most natural you can find.  I let her have a few sips from a glass before bed, and she slept the best she has since switching to formula.  Right through the night.  I'll see what happens tonight from the rice.  Any insight would be great as I have not had much time to research this.  Thanks again.

[Shdef]

About half the children who react to dairy will react to soy, too. It is an allergen and I would not recommend it. Rice milk is good, but doesn't have all the goodies in it, so a dietician has to be consulted.

How about hypoallergenic formula like Nutramigen or Alimentum?

[We Three]

I agree with that. My dd went on Alimentum...no more reflux, no more rashes.
During that time we considered soy, but honetly we found some articles that made us rethink it.  It seems that the body can mistake the plant estrogen in soy for real estrogen, and that there might be a link to some fertility issues later in life.  It is debatable, but we decided to just stay away from it.  Don't mean to scare anyone, but that is what we found.   

[Shdef]

There is a reason why you don't get soy formula here 

[Spectra]

I had the same situation.  We switched to rice milk, but it doesn't have the fat and protein like regular milk and/or formula.  I had to add an ounce of coconut milk for the fat and then Rice Protein powder for the protein.  In the end I spoke to a Pediatric Dietitian at the hospital who said this was fine, but formula would be best.  So now we are on Neocate Junior, by prescription.

[KDawn]

I wasn't too keen on soy, had heard things about it as well.  I am trying the rice milk for the 2nd day, but will have to get to the city this week to pick up the extras for it.  About the prescription formula, what is it, where do you get it, why use it over rice?  This is crap, she is just up screaming, as well as last night.  Tomorrow will be straight rice, I was mixing it still w/ formula.  Will give that a couple of days, plus try her on some carrot juice, then see if there is any change.  i have noticed that she does drink more of the rice milk. She was getting 3 bottles w/ 6oz in each, but never finishes them, I would be lucky if she drank 15oz/day.  Now she almost finishes each bottle, plus is sleeping lots during the day.  I am in Sk, does anyone know if you can get rice based cheeses/yogurt here?  thanks again

[We Three]

Are you in the US? (not sure what sk is? Scotland?)  Alimentum is available anywhere that regular formula is available...but it's expensive. Worth every penny, but still.  Alimentum is still milk-based, but the proteins are broken down to thier elemental state (hence the play on words).  Many (most?) los with milk sensitivities do well on it.  My dd could not tolerate a drop of regular formula, but did so well on it.  Problem is (sorry) it tasted awful and smells awful, since it is basically pre-digested.  My baby accepted it I think because she was so very young (12 weeks) but I'm not sure about a 10 month old.  Not trying to be negative...just have heard that sometimes older babes won't accept it. 
I have no idea what would be the benefits of trying that over the rice milk.  Nutritional?  Not sure. Does the rice formula have a tendency to constipate in the same way that rice (the food) does?
You should get your lo to the doc perhaps and talk about this? Or maybe put in a call?
This is tough...I'm sorry I can't be of more help. 

[Jimbob]

I think that unless your lo has a very balanced diet and that you can provide the fat and proteins that rice milk is low in then it would be best to try a hypoallergenic formula like alimentum or nutramigen. These work well for a lot of babies but some do still react to them as they are still milk based. If this is the case as it was with my son then an elemental formula can be used like neocate or elecare.

Kelly

[Spectra]

SK!  Saskatchewan!  I was born there.  I'm in NB, Canada.  I am able to go to Shopper's Drug Mart to pick up Alimentum if I wanted to, to buy it, it is costly though.  If it is not there as the pharmacy as they will order it in for you.  I went to my doctor, explained what I thought it was and got in to see a Pediatrician.  The Family Doctor's here will not prescribe the formula usually, need to see a ped.  Then if the Ped agrees they'll try the formula and it is free in Canada.  Problem is not all Ped's believe in Milk/Soy intolerances, mine didn't, and my family doctor disagreed with him when I showed all my son's symptoms went away when I put him on rice milk.  He sent me to a specialist at the hospital and finally we got our prescription.

The rice milk is only advised to use if your baby is getting a balanced diet, like the previous poster had stated.  My son started on Alimentum at 11 months and he took to it fine taste-wise.  However his symptoms didn't go away and now he is on Neocate, going on 4 days now, and things are better.  When he was on rice milk I did find he ate more of it, it tastes better for one, and there is virtually no fat and protein, so it won't fill them as much.  When I added the 1 ounce of coconut milk for fat it made a difference.

Do you have a Loblaws or Superstore?  Or try any grocery store in the Organic Section, in the cooler they keep the ricemilk and there is also rice cheese, rice bread, etc.  However still look at the ingredients, some may contain other foods that may not be good.  If that doesn't work try an actual organic store, they usually have these special foods.

[Mydreamcametrue]

Hello:

So sorry your lo is having issues with the regular formula, I went through that with both of my kids.

Rice milk is a fine alternative over 18 months old or maybe 12 months old, BUT it is so low in fat and protein.  Like (Spectra) said, I had to add 2 oz. of coconut milk and 1 tablespoon of rice protein powder to make it the same as whole milk.

I would personally switch to a hypoallergenic formula.  But like the other PP's have said, it does work, but not for everyone.

Alimentum contains Sucrose in it for the carbohydrate instead of lactose.  My little one still was getting gas from the Alimentum because of the sucrose. 
Nutramigen contains Corn Syrup Solids as the carbohydrate instead of lactose.

Do they think she has a problem with the actual milk protein or just the lactose?  What are her symptoms exactly, other than not sleeping well? 

My best advice is try changing her to a hypoallergenic formula and also talking to your doctor about her reflux med.

Ranitidine is very weight sensitive and the dose needs to be increased as they gain weight.  She may need a medicine like Prevacid or Omeperzole. 

The reflux could be worse then you think.  So many babies have silent reflux.  They do not spit up at all, just scream and cry in pain because the acid comes up and then right back down. 

Hope this helps some.

Hugs to you, Wendy

[Leesa]

Almond milk is high in protein and calcium - and fat!

It tastes delicious and comes in chocolate/vanilla and regular flavor.

Lisa