Anyone do an alternative to WCM?

Cassian · June 2011

Can't say I am in a hurry to introduce WCM. Does anyone know of a healthy alternative to WCM that has the same nutrients? Anyone actually do an alternative?

dana316 · June 2011

Can I be nosy and ask why you aren't digging the WCM?

If I know you, you've done some research that I would like to hear about ;-)

KYRN · June 2011

We do WCM but we also do a lot of soymilk (DH has started drinking it so sometimes we give it to DS). I like that the soy has a lot of protein and a lot of iron (which pedi warned we'd be losing when we went to WCM).

wille2b · June 2011

we use the enfamil stage 2 toddler formula.. it has way more vitamins in it

skoorbnibor · June 2011

actually, if you dig, there are studies out there that show that WCM is not even necessary, that the nutrients in milk can be found in numerous other sources, especially whole fruits and veggies.

E is allergic to milk (actually MSPI) so we have never given it. His brain development is perfect, his growth perfect. He does get a bit of coconut milk because he wants to drink milk, but maybe 1 cup a day, if that. Some days he just gets water and is happy.

I do choose the unsweetened variety of So Delicious Coconut Milk.

Rice, Goat and Hemp milk are all available, and have their own pros and cons

CandT · June 2011

DD refuses to drink milk. After talking with her pedi as long as she is getting the daily intake of dairy (which she does) she'll be fine.

I try to avoid soy so I won't do soy milk.

Cassian · June 2011

Dana, I've seen the studies that Robin was talking about that it isn't even necessary, and some others about hormones used on cows to make them mass produce milk being passed through the milk, plus watched one too many documentaries on food animal production and conditions, etc. The less exposure to animal products that come from livestock regularly treated with hormones and antibiotics, we feel, the better. Plus, we are the only species that routinely drinks another specie's breast milk. There is no need for us to do that.

I try to stay away from soy if I can too because I have seen information that links soy to hormone imbalances, and since I am prone to that, DD may be too. And if you are into conspiracy theories, I tend to believe the surge in use of these things is directly corresponding to the emergence of 9 year old girls with periods, boobs, and pubic hair.

Who knows, I could be completely off the deep end, but I have seen/read enough to make me look for alternatives.

GypsyEsq · June 2011

I briefly considered soy because IMO it's the most palatable and then decided that wasn't really an option considering my RE had recommended I stop drinking soy so why would I give it to DD? DD drinks at most 8 ozs of cow's milk a day so we went with WCM and just make sure it's rBST free and organic. Her main sources of dairy are yogurt and cheese and she gets calcium from leafy greens (mainly spinach in her yogurt and fruit "popsicles") plus a multivitamin. I am not as concerned with protein intake becuase she eats a lot of meat but it is helpful that she seems to prefer full fat Greek yogurt and gets a lot of protein there. Vitamin D she gets from the sun, we do allow her to play on the back porch for 30 minutes or so without sunscreen on, or did when it wasn't triple digit heat here. Iron is ok, she gets enough iron that her teeth are stained from it. I agree with pp that WCM isn't even necessary, it's just an easy transition from BM or formula. Also, if you intend to keep nursing at all there will be the nutrition from that so...as you know I'm still nursing DD so that is a good stop-gap for me and the pedi. HTH.

dana316 · June 2011

Cassian:

Dana, I've seen the studies that Robin was talking about that it isn't even necessary, and some others about hormones used on cows to make them mass produce milk being passed through the milk, plus watched one too many documentaries on food animal production and conditions, etc. The less exposure to animal products that come from livestock regularly treated with hormones and antibiotics, we feel, the better. Plus, we are the only species that routinely drinks another specie's breast milk. There is no need for us to do that.

I try to stay away from soy if I can too because I have seen information that links soy to hormone imbalances, and since I am prone to that, DD may be too. And if you are into conspiracy theories, I tend to believe the surge in use of these things is directly corresponding to the emergence of 9 year old girls with periods, boobs, and pubic hair.

Who knows, I could be completely off the deep end, but I have seen/read enough to make me look for alternatives.

I agree about milk not being necessary. We don't drink too much of it, and limit it to organic milk. I also avoid soy...

I don't think you are off the deep end at all...

alchris · June 2011

For all of the reasons that you gave, I was in no hurry to give it to DD either. Just too scary...and unnecessary too if you're being mindful. I figured she was still BFing, and she loved cheese and yogurt, so there wasn't a thing I was worried about. We did start giving her cow's milk when she weaned last summer, but I don't think it was even necessary at that. She loves it though and drinks it frequently, but had never tried it until she was about 2 3/4. Trust your gut! Good luck!

Mouseygail · June 2011

Cassian:
Dana, I've seen the studies that Robin was talking about that it isn't even necessary, and some others about hormones used on cows to make them mass produce milk being passed through the milk, plus watched one too many documentaries on food animal production and conditions, etc. The less exposure to animal products that come from livestock regularly treated with hormones and antibiotics, we feel, the better. Plus, we are the only species that routinely drinks another specie's breast milk. There is no need for us to do that.

I try to stay away from soy if I can too because I have seen information that links soy to hormone imbalances, and since I am prone to that, DD may be too. And if you are into conspiracy theories, I tend to believe the surge in use of these things is directly corresponding to the emergence of 9 year old girls with periods, boobs, and pubic hair.

Who knows, I could be completely off the deep end, but I have seen/read enough to make me look for alternatives.

Does organic milk prevent the hormone issue? We aren't a big milk family, so I don't see DS really being a big milk drinker...but I was planning on getting organic for the reasons you mentioned above... But I haven't done the research to see if it eliminates the hormones..i just assumed!

GypsyEsq · June 2011

Mouseygail:
Cassian:

Dana, I've seen the studies that Robin was talking about that it isn't even necessary, and some others about hormones used on cows to make them mass produce milk being passed through the milk, plus watched one too many documentaries on food animal production and conditions, etc. The less exposure to animal products that come from livestock regularly treated with hormones and antibiotics, we feel, the better. Plus, we are the only species that routinely drinks another specie's breast milk. There is no need for us to do that.

I try to stay away from soy if I can too because I have seen information that links soy to hormone imbalances, and since I am prone to that, DD may be too. And if you are into conspiracy theories, I tend to believe the surge in use of these things is directly corresponding to the emergence of 9 year old girls with periods, boobs, and pubic hair.

Who knows, I could be completely off the deep end, but I have seen/read enough to make me look for alternatives.

Does organic milk prevent the hormone issue? We aren't a big milk family, so I don't see DS really being a big milk drinker...but I was planning on getting organic for the reasons you mentioned above... But I haven't done the research to see if it eliminates the hormones..i just assumed!

Lots of conventional milks no longer have synthetic hormones - you just have to check. But I do believe all organics do not include synthetic hormones. Antibiotics are a different issue though and you have to sort of do more investigation in to the dairy practices to suss that one out.

ETA: synthetic as a modifier to hormones, all milk contains some of the naturally occuring hormones

Quizzle · June 2011

We're having the same debate.

Given the issues DH and I had with milk as children (not allergic, but certainly sensitive to the lactose) I don't want to subject her to that. We don't drink milk in our house; I only buy it if I'm cooking with it. But I also buy soy (or lately, coconut milk) for cereal and for cooking that does not specifically require mik. I sometimes buy Lactaid as well. DD still takes 2-3 bottles a day at daycare and nurses morning and evening so it's not like we're getting off the bottles soon.

I've considered some goat's milk, but that's mostly because I'm not sure I'll balance her meals well enough! She does take a daily vitamin.

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