Gransnet forums

Food

Alternative to cowsmilk for babies under 18 months,can anyone help please?

(18 Posts)
Ella46 Mon 10-Dec-12 19:58:08

My dgd 14 mths, has had problems with really bad constipation.
She has been treated and is a lot better but seems to be bloated with wind. Her tummy swells during the day quite a lot.
My son is taking her back to the docs next week, but we wondered if she is allergic to cows milk like her half brother.
Do any of you know what could be used as a safe substitute please?

Mishap Mon 10-Dec-12 20:05:33

I have a GS who was (and still is) allergic to whole milk - although he can have cheese and yoghurt, as they have found that the problem is one of the proteins in milk (caseine) which is altered when these foods are made.

I am no expert on milk substitutes, but I know my DD was told not to muse soya.

He has oat milk, and so does his 13 month old brother - they seem to have come to no harm on this. They get plenty of protein in the rest of their diet.

Jodi Mon 10-Dec-12 20:48:54

ella 14 months is very late to develop an intolerance to cows milk, unless of course she has been breast fed until now? My great nephew has been prescribed 'Nutramigen' almost since birth having been diagnosed with a severe intolerance to lactose (milk sugar). He cannot tolerate ANY dairy products, including yoghurt and cheese.

He was referred to a dietician at an early age. You might like to ask your GP forvavreferral.

Jodi Mon 10-Dec-12 20:50:06

For a referral ..

JessM Mon 10-Dec-12 20:50:53

It might be something other than milk if something is disagreeing with her - she is presumably eating a varied diet at 14 months. And as mishap says - there are various ways in which milk can disagree with someone.
But "disagreeing" more often leads to diarrhoea than constipation.
Is she getting plenty of fruit, veg, porridge, that kind of thing, fibre to help her bowels work normally?

Jodi Mon 10-Dec-12 20:55:30

Reading JessMs post, something I forgot. The symptoms are indeed diarrhoea, bloating, wind. All very painful and distressing.

Mishap Mon 10-Dec-12 22:09:05

My GS's symptoms were rapidly spreading urticaria and high temperature - so they proceed with great caution in deciding when they might introduce milk products.

Jodi Mon 10-Dec-12 22:20:22

Ella this doesn't sound like a reaction to cows milk then. The two most common allergies are lactose intolerance ans casein allergy. I have outlined the symptoms of the first and mishap the symptoms of the latter. Neither seem to fit.
More likely it is constipation caused by diet, which is very common in toddlers. She needs to have more fibre in her diet as jess said - easier said than done I know at this age. Your GP can presecribed something to help ease the constipation. Poor little girl. sad

CHEELU Mon 10-Dec-12 22:26:44

Ella46 I have just done a bit of research for you on the internet and apparently Soy milk can be an alternative to cows milk BUT please do research it more and ask your Doctors advise before giving it.

annodomini Mon 10-Dec-12 22:28:35

Ella, how long has this been going on?

Ella46 Mon 10-Dec-12 22:31:36

Thank you all for that advice. The doctor didn't think it was allergy/intolerance but we just weren't sure.
She has a very good diet, lots of veg and fruit at home, and what looks like a good varied diet at nursery. She isn't a picky eater, she eats absolutely anything!

I shall pass your wisdom on to her parents, thank you.

Deedaa Mon 10-Dec-12 22:31:44

Have you tried goat's milk? Many children who can't tolerate cow's milk get on very well with goat's. I'm a bit biased because I used to keep goats and both my children were weaned onto it.

Ella46 Mon 10-Dec-12 22:40:25

Anno ever since she was about 6 months. Mum put her on follow on milk which started the constipation, and then she went back on to normal milk.
She has only been on cows milk for a couple of months I think.
Now the constipation is ok, just the windy problem!
I'm sure the doctor will come up with something, and my son doesn't give up easily!

Jodi Mon 10-Dec-12 22:51:27

Sometimes little digestive systems take a while to adapt to new foods and they have to develop at their own pace. Glad the constipation has eased at least.

glitabo Mon 10-Dec-12 23:02:16

My DiL2 has 3 children and has fed them all on goats milk. She insists that it is better than any formulation of cows milk. She now has 3 very healthy boisterous boys so it must have worked. It might be worth a try?

JessM Tue 11-Dec-12 06:56:31

Is she gaining weight at a normal rate ella?

Ella46 Tue 11-Dec-12 07:26:24

Yes Jess she is a normal, healthy baby, see my profile smile

coastwallker Tue 11-Dec-12 09:48:48

My own babies all had soya milk formula because I have multiple food allergies and it was recommended as a preventative measure. They graduated to cows milk by about 18 months and were all fine.

Of course we will never know what might have been