If not milk and soy then what?

[Anonymous]

I have been giving my boys soy milk since we can’t do cows milk. I recently saw somewhere that soy can stunt a childs growth. So, what am I supposed to give my kids that is good for them, that they will drink, and is a good source of calcium? I have thought about goats milk, but my understanding is it doesn’t taste very good. What are the other options? I’m starting to think I just have to live with the possibilty of stunting their growth. Opinions anyone?

[Anonymous]

Ahh, I just lost my previous post! Anyways, we are sticking with soy in our house b/c I have only seen one article stating “the dangers” of soy and about a zillion that discuss the negative effects of cow’s milk on so many kids’ digestive system. Our Ped GI told us during our transition, that if soy didn’t work, then we could do OJ + Calcium as a total alternative!!! I was surprised b/c of the acidity, but we’re actually having fresh squeezed OJ, no problem. He told us that his practice is moving farther away from advocating cows milk altogether. He said that goat’s milk lacks folic acid (although I’m sure you could get it fortified), but he says that the structure of goats milk protein is closer to cow’s milk than previously thought. Some use rice milk and I think I just read that some use a potato based milk?? HTH

[Anonymous]

My kids are casein (in both cow’s milk and goat’s milk) and soy free, so here is the info on milk substitutes that I have gathered:

Rice Milk

This is a popular milk substitute, as rice is fairly hypoallergenic, so most children can tolerate it. It is available in most grocery and health food stores, and fortified with calcium and vitamins. However, it is low in protein and fat, so you would need to ensure there is enough fat and protein intake from other dietary sources. Some rice milks contain gluten, so if a child is also gluten free you would need to double check this.

Hemp Milk

Hemp milk is becoming a very popular milk substitute, since it is a good source of protein and fat. Some are fortified with calcium and vitamins, and some are not. Some taste good, and some don’t.

Vance’s DariFree

DariFree (made by Vance’s) is a unique potato based milk substitute, that is fortified with calcium and vitamins. (This is what we use, since Ben can’t tolerate rice, and the good tasting hemp milk also contains rice ingredients.) It is gluten, casein, soy and rice free. It is protein free (great for kids with multiple protein intolerances) and fat free. Therefore we need to ensure Ben is getting plenty of good fats and protein elsewhere in his diet.

Coconut milk

I don’t know many who use this as a milk substitute for drinking because of it’s strong flavour and thick texture, but many people mix a small amount of coconut milk into another milk sub for added fat content. It is also great to add to fruit smoothies, makes a good coffee creamer (OK, so that’s for us moms and not the kiddos ) and has lots of other good uses in baking and cooking.

Hope this helps a bit!

[Anonymous]

I’ve seen Oat Milk in our organic section of the grocery store. I am going to talk to landen’s pedi about it b/c I am not sure what else he’d need in his diet if it worked, but he’s always been ok with oat. I am considering this or the DariFree milk the Sheri uses for Ben.

Here is the link for the Oat milk (5th one down on the page)

http://www.pacificfoods.com/products-nut-grain.php

[Anonymous]

they are older now.. so how about drinkable yogurts? do they need to “drink” their calcium? shane does.. he still wants bottles.. so that is why i try hard to find a milk he can do. but recently he has been dropping bottles and is doing well on regular yogurt! we give him the yo baby drinkables in a sippy cup.. and he LOVES it.. and it is the same as a glass of milk.

[Anonymous]

Thanks ladies. I’ll have to look into those options.

Lauren, I’m still scared to death to try dairy. Everytime Justice has even a little we are up for at least two nights. We do of course do soy yougurt, but I am trying to get away from soy. I don’t know maybe I should just get over it and let it go and do what works for us. Why does parenting have to be so darn hard? I honestly don’t even let them have a lot of soy milk. They get at the most two glasses a day and usually only one. I think I’m also going to research what are some calcium rich foods and go that route. I really appreciate you ladies. Thank you for all the times that you have helped me.

[Anonymous]

Shelby,

Some great calcium rich foods are any dark green leafy veggies, broccoli, kale, collards… unfortunately I don’t know if your boys will eat them. And of course there is the increased risk of gas…. But those are some great non dairy sources.

[hellbennt]

Tums…not sure if you can use that as a calcium supplement? There are some varieties (I think Tropical Fruit flavor smoothe dissolve? that don’t have milk protein…)

[Anonymous]

We are rice milk users here for Dylan. Carter can tolerate dairy/soy fine now, and Dylan can tolerate hidden dairy and some cheeses in small doses, but whole milk is definitely not agreeable to him and soy is worse. We do buy the enriched kind that has the same calcuim as whole milk and vitamin A and D etc… but he does eat chicken and all natural peanut butter so he is getting a good source of protein daily. Fats, well, I think the PB and the chicken has some and he is in the 50% for weight and height so I think he is getting plenty.

Earlier on when he was small, I worried, but as long as he keeps growing well, staying on his curve and developing well, I don’t worry so much.

Good Luck!!

Ann Marie

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