What to Do About Weaning, Cows Milk, and Eczema?

Updated on October 08, 2011
I.X. asks from San Clemente, CA
9 answers

I've noticed with the introduction of cows milk to my 14 month old the start of some eczema behind the knees. My other daughter had eczema for the first two years of her life that I attribute to cows milk and formula (because it went away when she transitioned to a mostly solids diet with only the occasional glass of milk). My 14 month old gets one sippy of milk and is BF otherwise (working on a slow wean). I tried coconut milk but she does not like it. I'm leary of soy milk. . BFing her to the age of two depresses me. We've had a rough road of BF and the suckling has been uncomfortable ever since a terrible case of thrush and bleeding nipples that happened months ago. Its strange, but my nipples just never totally recovered from the trauma. I'm not sure what to do next. I'll bring it up with her pediatrician but would love to hear some advice from you moms.

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A.L.

answers from Chicago on

My daughter has a dairy sensitivity and I switched to Rice Milk because I did not want to do Soy either, and my pediatrician didn't want me to do almond milk until she was 2. DD loves the Rice Milk, much better than she did cow milk. I get the Vanilla fortified version and can usually find one brand that is on sale and since it has a long shelf life, I wipe the shelves of it, when I can.

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C.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Our pediatrician recommended organic unsweetened rice milk (which is very sweet). You can buy it at Trader Joe's. Our little guy loves it, which made the transition from BFing to bottle pretty smooth.

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H.M.

answers from Dallas on

I would try almond or soy milk. At that age soy will not hurt but give her the vanilla flavored like Lucky said. I took my oldest off of cows milk almost as soon as I put him on it. My youngest only got it a few times and everytime he ended up sick! They loved the soy milk that was vanilla. My boys have tried all of them, soy, cocanut, rice and almond. Their favorites are the soy and almond. There are so many things out now that can be substituted for cows milk it's actually pretty amazing. Even ice cream that tasts like regular ice cream.

Good luck and God Bless!!!

★.O.

answers from Tampa on

Describe what is wrong with your nipples... are you sure it's a physical thing and not a mental/emotional overflow onto the physical? If you can solve the inner issues or physical issues plaguing the breastfeeding relationship, then you've solved the issue about your daughter getting eczema.

I'm asking because I would advise to continue nursing with what you KNOW works rather than using trial and error with your daughter's health as the indication if it works or not.

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

have them do an allergy blood test for the milk allergy. if it shows shes allergic then use soy. if it comes back negative try lactaid milk it doesnt have lactose in it. my daughter couldnt handle regular milk she threw it up if she had more then a cup. so her dr said to use lactaid and i did for 2 months then tried regular milk again and she was fine.
you can also try rice milk or almond milk (as long as theres no nut allergy)

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K.F.

answers from New York on

You may consider trying rice milk or almond milk.

My neice has eczema and uses raw shea butter with or without jojoba oil. She can mix it for herself or just come and help herself to my private stash. It makes the skin soft and supple and moisturized without being irritated with perfumes. I believe it would be fine on a toddlers or infants skin too.

I hope this helps. It may also help for healing the nipples too.

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

You could try toddler formula. My daughter didn't take well to cow's milk. I had to try 3 times. In the mean time I switched her from infant formula to toddler 'NextStep' formula.

Just a thought.

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M.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi there,
First, I wouldn't go with soy milk, they are saying now that soy isn't good for females due to the estrogen in it. Natural soy is ok like edamame, processed soy is not good. (vegetarian products). They also hide soy in frozen foods too.
She doesn't even need milk, you can give her cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese or any other product that has calcium.
If you want milk for cereal, then the Rice milk or Almond milk would work just fine.
Both my daughters have food allergies. My 4 year old has allergies to wheat mostly, which you can imagine is a pain in the butt. But, my 1 year old has allergies to wheat, eggs, soy (very mild) walnuts and peanuts. I had a blood test done for my baby. She itched like mad when I gave her eggs and wheat for the first time. Those two I knew she was allergic to before I got her test done. My 4 year old ends up with eczema when she eat too much wheat. Thankfully, I do not have any milk issues.
Anyway, as far as nursing goes, I would just move on and fix those nipples!!!!
Take care!!!

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J.L.

answers from Chicago on

Try the almond milks. Sweatened. the Vanilla flavor or almond flavor is delicious and so is the chocolate one. There are different brands. Also flavored rice milk is not bad...I agree with your daughter coconut milk is yucky LOL :(

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