Milk Alternatives

[oneplusone]

My DS is now 13 months and I've been EBF him since birth. I've weaned him down to 3 times a day and hopefully 2 times a day by next week since he starts daycare. I've tried introducing regular cows milk a couple times and it didn't agree with him (very fussy and almost diarrhea like BMs). So I gave up on that and tried goats milk. Same thing. I think since I've still BF 2-3 times a day he's getting a lot of nutrients in that. But I feel like I should get him on some kind of milk for daycare. Any suggestions as to what to try next? Thanks! 

[clazzat]

We are using coconut milk here - goes down really well. There is also soy, hemp, rice or oat milk - the main issues with substitute milks is that they are lower in fat and calcium than regular milk so you need to be sure that you are getting those into his diet anyway.

[rach321]

Another vote for coconut milk here - check your nurserys policy on nuts some are nut free environments so they wouldnt allow almond milk.

[oneplusone]

Good call on asking daycare about milk substitutes. They are a nut free facility, so I think Almond and Coconut milk would be out, however it would be kept in the fridge so it's not like any little ones would be getting into it and I don't think that would be as serious as like peanut butter on sticky fingers getting all over everything. I'll look into rice, oat, and hemp milk. If I'm still BF 2 times a day and he eats cheese and yogurt do you think that would be enough for now?

[rach321]

Technically coconut isn't a nut it's a fruit so you should be ok!

[oneplusone]

I did not know that! So people who are allergic to nuts are not allergic to coconuts?

[clazzat]

My brother, who is allergic to nuts, can eat coconut but doesn't, but in general I think that people who are allergic to nuts avoid coconuts.

[~ Vik ~]

Dylan is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts but no problem with coconut milk. We use soy regularly and coconut for baking in place of whole/evaporated milk or cream.

[~*Nicole*~]

Coconut milk, I have heard, is considered to be pretty much hypoallergenic. We also used coconut milk here. Just recently started buying almond milk instead as DS seems to prefer the taste and drinks a bit more. Our almond milk says it has more calcium, although not sure how much gets absorbed, than regular milk. But it is lower in fat. We are also providing DS with coconut based butter substitute, coconut and almond based yogurts and ice creams. Since he isn't eating cheese or regular yogurt it's been hard to get more fat and overall calories into him.

[oneplusone]

Thanks Nicole, Vikki, & Clazzat! Interesting to know.

Vikki - Oh your poor LO has so many allergies! Just noticed your signature.

I guess I'll try out some new "milks" with DS.

[Erin M]

Current advice is to avoid rice milk as it has a high amount of naturally occurring arsenic.

[*Kara*]

Coconut here too  

The best one I have found is the So Delicious brand (available in Canada now)... well fortified!

[clazzat]

I have heard that it is not true about the arsenic in rice milk - although I guess there is no harm in avoiding it just in case. I have also heard that you shouldn't give soy to boys under 2 because of the phytoestrogens, but there are definitely people who say that isn't true either.

[oneplusone]

Thanks Kara. I'll look for so delicious brand and try it out.

Clazzat & Erin - I've heard that about rice milk as well. Plus I didn't think it was as fortified. I guess it depends on the brand.

[*Kara*]

For sure you have to check the labels of the alternate milks, I find about half of the different ones are fortified, depending on brand.

I get the So Delicious in the refrigerated section... what province do you live in?