Weaning from Formula but Not Giving Milk

This is something you really should discuss with her pediatrician. Has she been tested allergy wise?

You need to discuss options that have enough of the essential fats crucial for brain development. That's one of the reasons whole milk is recommended until at least age 2.

You might even seek the advice of a qualified pediatric nutritionist to assist with the transition. We drink almond milk from time to time and on the carton it indicates it is not recommended for children under 2. Rice milk would be the same way. It's too low fat.

You also have the option of using a toddler formula rather than whole milk.

And if you want to stop washing bottles, you need to get little one on a sippy or straw cup. I have a formula feeding friend that has her babies off the bottle by 9 months so there is never a bottle fight in her house.

We weaned off formula with Baby #1 using half formula/half rice milk. She is allergic to milk. Her skin is totally clear when she is off dairy (she is almost 3.5 yo now) but not if she eats regular cheese or has other dairy products --- bad, bad bloody, scratchy eczema. I would do rice milk. Others might say soy, but it is highly allergenic too plus with the phytoestrogens, I just don't believe in giving that much soy to little kids. We do Silk Live soy yogurt because the cultures are not milk based (unlike Stoneyfield and all the others that can be found in the normal grocery store). Whole Foods has some others. Also, Rice cheese. She gets enough fats from meat, avocados, and grains I suppose...but I just haven't really ever worried about her getting the fats. You could give an Omega supplement if you want (we don't as DD is also allergic to fish and peanuts and most are fish or fish oil based or have peanut/tree nut warnings). Best of luck!

I am lactose intolerant, but my daughter isn't. I use Silk Milk. It is soy milk and it doesn't taste bad at all. I would talk to your ped about the options for milk and vitamin suppliments. They should be able to tell you the best thing for your little one.

As far as weaning your daughter from formula, I just started this process. I am doing half formula half mik this week. Next week I will do 1/4 formula and 3/4 milk and by the 3rd week she will be on milk 100%.

Good luck!

Well to me, I would want to KNOW, if it is the dairy that is creating the eczema in her. Was she actually diagnosed... for the dairy causing her Eczema???? Or is this just a "guess"?

For my Mom.... the things that triggers HER eczema... is Oats/Oatmeal/anything with Oats in it (even skin creams & soaps), and Citrus. She can have dairy, no problem.

So, first... makes sure, if it is dairy that is causing her eczema... or something else.

And yes, the milk 'fats' in milk.. is essential for brain development.

all the best,
Susan

my best friend and her son are lactose intolerant. she's always just given him soy milk or almond milk (cant remember which, but i know it's not dairy milk.) Target carries liquid vitamin supplements that are typically for breastfed babies, i wonder if your doctor would consider that as an adequate supplement?? you may also be able to consult your doctor and ask for the best possible way. best of luck!

Rice milk by itself definitely does not have enough fat. My kids had dairy sensitivities and were on a homemade rice milk formula. It had fish and flax seed oils added for the fat, but after 1 year of age, my younger one started falling off the growth chart because he was not getting enough fat. We were adding 1 teaspoon a day of flax seed oil and 1/2 teaspoon a day of fish oil. That was ok before age 1, but apparently not after. You might want to talk to a nutritionist about this.

Avocado is great for healthy fat. If she's not allergic to nuts, you can add ground up nuts into her oatmeal or other foods. You can buy ground almonds at Trader Joes. Use a lot of olive oil when making her foods. High fat meats too. You may be able to give her yogurt or kefir since they are much easier to digest. You could also try goats milk/cheese.

I think I read somewhere that kids this age need half of their calories from fat. Both my boys are short (although so are we), but I still wonder if their diet was the reason.

What type of formula is she on? Milk based or soy?