Weaning a dairy sensitive one year old

Nicolewinsbingo

Weaning a dairy sensitive one year old

 

I have a 14 month old son who is sensitive to dairy.  He was still nursing 4 times a day up until a couple weeks ago, when he started showing a little less interest in nursing.  I decided to take advantage of the situation and introduced Silk original coconut milk.  He will take it warm in a bottle, but not cold or from a sippy cup.  At first this transition went well, but for the past few days he really has no interest in the coconut milk and maybe drinks one ounce each time its offered.  So, he's nursing twice a day (first thing in morning and bedtime) and then having water and just a little bit of coconut milk all day.  He is a good eater of solid foods and he eats avocado at least 4 times a week.  

Is the not getting enough (fats, calcium, vitamin D)?  Should I resume breastfeeding during the day to at least 3 times a day total?  Anything I can do to get him to drink the coconut milk?  Any vitamins, supplements, or other nutritious foods I can add to his diet to help make sure he's getting enough?  

**He is 14 months old, 30 inches tall, and just under 20 pounds, so he's pretty small for his age.  I am 5'5 and DH is 6'1 so I'm a little surprised he's tiny. 

 

klyann

Have you discussed with your pedi?  Or allergist if he sees one? If its an intolerance, you could try a lactose free milk.

DD weaned at 14 months, and we switched to coconut milk.  Trader Joe's Vanilla shelf stable version.  She wouldn't drink the unflavored kind.   She still drinks it.

You can try mixing with BM in a bottle and then slowly changing the proportions.  And double check the calcium content of the coconut milk.  You want it to say 30% RDA or more. 

Otherwise, the only thing that coconut milk lacks is protein, but as long as your DS eats protein from other sources he should be fine.

You could try other alternative milks too.  Like almond or rice.  Those were not options for us at the time.

Nicolewinsbingo

If I understand correctly, lactose is not the problem.  It is another milk protein.

I did talk to his pedi, who approved coconut milk or other alternative milks.  I think I will try vanilla to see if that helps.  Its also hard because he takes the coconut milk warm in a bottle when I'm not here okay, but he hates taking it from me.  I'm a SAHM so its a bit challenging to wean him when I'm the one home all day and he won't take a bottle from me.

I think I will just nurse him 3 or 4 times a day for a few more months.  It is such a great source of fats and proteins and its easier than the coconut milk anyway.  When I am gone he can have coconut milk but when I'm home I'll nurse.  

Thanks for the reply! 

emberlee3

I would keep nursing if I were you.  DD has dairy intolerance and we are not supposed to try her on any dairy until after 18 months.  She has been on Neocate since 4 months.  She eats well, but still takes 3-4 bottles per day (including nighttime).  I am not pushing, just trying to keep offering Neocate Junior in a cup.  So far, she only wants to drink water from a cup.  I figure if I were BFing, there would be no hurry to wean, so why hurry the bottle.  Her nutritionist and her GI NP want us to stick with Neocate rather than alternative milks.

bloverde

14mo here too. Allergist encouraged me to breast feed until 2, with no alternative milks given. Not enough fat or protein in any of them. She said the other option if I dry up is an amino acid formula, but my guy won't touch it.

Rachel*Neocate

I also continued to BF my MSPI baby until he was two...actually later than 2 because of his intolerances.  I also tried giving him alternative milk, he would only drink rice milk which definitely does not have enough fats, etc for growth and development.  I have read some good things about flax milk, hemp milk, almond milk and of course coconut milk.  

You could also try a toddler formula, one that's specialized for MSPI babies, but if you're  willing to continue BFing, I think that would be the best option.