Milk Alternatives - Austin,TX

I kept both my daughters on soy milk until they were like 3 each. I have issues with humans drinking cow's milk. You can get calcium & vitamin D through other sources. There are vitamin drops for babies this age that Enfamil makes. Just mix with his other foods. There are 100% juices that have added calcium & vitamin D. Many, many options out there for what milk supposedly provides. Make sure he is drinking plenty of fluids. I would not necessarily give too much water at this age, because he still needs good calories, and, not empty calories. The baby juices are wonderful. My daughters always loved the baby white grape juice, 100% juice of course. Also, I would sometimes mix half a cup of water with half a cup of juice because some water is good to help flush the system out. If he is having problems with milk now, I would not reintroduce it once he does get better. You will probably just be repeating yourself in a few weeks.

Pediasure (store brands are much cheaper) is lactose free. I use to give it to my son in a bottle and he loved it. I keep hearing that soy is not good for boys.

I would try goat's milk. My daughter did better once I switched her from cow's milk to goat's milk, I believe she has a mild allergy to cow's milk protein.

Like cow's milk, goat's milk has both protein and fat, and is high in calcium. Soy milk doesn't naturally contain calcium and contains estrogen-like compounds, and rice milk is mostly carbs. HTH!

I give my 18 month old soy milk. My pediatrician recommended it because I didn't want to use cow's milk. Rice milk is great but doesn't have any protein. Soy milk is going to have the protein he needs. And it has almost as much calcium as the organic whole milk my daughter drinks. Have you thought of giving him more fiber? I give my kids some really yummy granola & cereal bars that are loaded with fiber. They aren't available in the store.... I get them direct from the manufacturer. I've been a customeer of theirs for over 6 years. If you want the info, send me a private msg.

I hope he's feeling better soon!

~ Ann

I keep my daughter on a rotation of soy, goat, and cow milk--occasionally rice, but I just feel like it is too sweet. Everything in moderation.

I never wanted her to be attached to any one thing. Not that it has worked entirely since she discovered her true love...greek yogurt, honey flavored

Keep in mind that there are a lot of binding foods--BRAT (bananas rice applesauce toast) just to name a few.

Try adding water, dried apricots, finely chopped spinach (try grinding it in the food processor while still frozen), prunes instead of juice, or pears to his diet.

Good luck. It is always rough when they can't tell you when it hurts...or gets better.

If you compare the information on Soy Rice and Regular milk you will find that for the most part thay are the same nutrionally nowadays. You used to have to purchase the "enriched" versions of the soy/rice milks to get this, but now they are mostly all the same.

If your son is constipated and you want to give him actual cows milk, try Lactaid. It is cow's milk without the Lactose and it should help with his stools.

It is not common that a lactose intolerant child will become constipated, but is DOES happen. Most children with lactose intolerance get diarrhea from it. I can say this with authority, because my own child is in the constipated minority. I get a lot of guf from people who are not as familiar with this opposite reaction who like to tell me if she is constipated then it's not lactose intolerance. They are WRONG.

I, personally give my children 8th Continent soy milk. It is often the least expensive on the shelves and it base is "enriched, plus they now have a kid friendly version with even more calcium, vitamin D and other nutrional qualities added.

Giving them soy milk for drinking/cereal etc, allows for them to eat more noramlly without a reaction (pizza, 1 serving of mac n cheese, etc). Thus they are less likely to be singled out by other children at school due to this particular issue.

I would also consider one or two spoonfuls of baby prunes 2 or 3 times a week to help get your son back to a more regular BM cycle.

The other alternatives suggested to you (goats milk, rotating between soy/rice, etc) are all good, but can become costly over time. When it comes down to it, you need to make the choice that is most convenient for you and in the best interest of your child.

Good luck ;-)