Alternatives to cow's milk

Naena · September 2014

I will be transitioning away from breastmilk soon and was wondering, moms that don't use cow's milk, what are you giving to your toddler? If you are using an alternative to cow's milk why did you choose it?

jonesie2010 · September 2014

We use almond milk for 17 month old DD. We also tried flax seed milk but it was really expensive. She originally started on cow's milk around 12 months, but she was having so much trouble with ear infections and constant thick snot that we were all miserable. I'd read about a connection between cows milk and ear infections, so we decided to give it a shot and cut dairy at about 14 months. It has worked like a charm - not an ear infection since and no more gross snot. We are adding back cheese and yogurt now, and that has gone well.

TexasGirl81 · September 2014

We have been using silk soy milk. Our family just prefers that over cows milk, honestly the thought of it just really sounds unpleasant to my tastbuds.
L has been doing greatly on it.

shipsshoessealingwax · September 2014

My son has a casein sensitivity, so he could not handle cow's or soy milk. He is on unsweetened almond milk. I love it, b/c it actually has more calcium than cow's milk AND like 1/4 of the calories (so I don't feel bad if he wants extra). We don't offer juice or other beverages of any kind & only stopped breastfeeding 3mo ago, so I wanted him to still have the option of a beverage other than water.

Naena · September 2014

I am not too worried about my DD not getting enough nutrients she eats table food like a champ. I have just been reading that CM isn't always the best thing and I am looking at our different option. We are leaning towards goat milk, but it is expensive, $4 for a quart.

Naena · September 2014

Here is an interesting link comparing GM, CM, and BM, https://fiascofarm.com/dairy/goatmilk-breakdown.html

LSU628 · September 2014

We do almond milk for DD per the allergist's recommendation. She had a milk protein allergy. Even now that she has outgrown her allergy, she doesn't like the taste of cow's milk and it still gives her eczema. I give her the vanilla or chocolate varities b/c she needs the extra calories. We tried flax milk and it seriously upset her stomach and made for lots of gross diapers. Rice milk just looked really thin and watery, not appealing at all. DS does soy after transitioning from soy formula (he also has the milk protein allergy among other food allergies). I'd like to get him off the soy, but he rejects any of the alternatives.

cwallin500 · September 2014

We give DS almond milk both regular and chocolate....mostly because my husband is really into health and nutrition and he feels that is better for him than CM and my son loves it.

krae771 · October 2014

Nutritional comparison of cow's milk with alternative sources

Milk alternatives, per 8 ounce	Kcal*	Protein, grams*	Fat, grams*	Calcium, mg*	Vitamin D, international units*
Cow's milk, whole; 2 percent; skim	150; 130; 85	8	8; 5; <1	300	100
Toddler formula (Nutramigen with Enflora LGG Toddler)	160	4	6	208	96
Toddler formula (Neocate Junior Unflavored)	240	7.9	12	283	190.8
Enriched soy milk	100	7	4	350	100
Enriched rice milk	120	1	2.5	300	100
Enriched oat milk	120	4	3	300	100
Enriched almond milk	50	1	2.5	300	100
Enriched coconut milk	45	0	4.5	100 to 450	100
Enriched hemp milk	80	2	8	300	100
Enriched quinoa milk	70	2	1	300	100
Juice - 10 percent (30 percent) calcium fortified I found this chart useful. My LO is just shy of one year and has milk protein allergy. He is also very small and his eating is inconsistent so I wanted to ensure he is getting adequate calories/fat. I chose Hemp milk over almond or coconut because it has more fat/calories. I weaned him about 2 weeks ago and I am doing a mix of frozen BM and hemp milk for now but eventually will probably just be hemp milk unless he outgrows his allergy. I use unsweetened Tempt or Pacific brand. I also use almond milk or coconut milk for cooking and in his food. He is a great meat eater and we also eat a lot of legumes, so I plan to make sure he gets enough protein that way and I also try to feed him avocado daily for the calories/fat. The downside is the price...it's $3.69$4/32 oz carton.	120	0	0	100 (300)	Varies

GillianB32 · October 2014

Wow this is the first time I hear about giving chocolate milk to relatively young kids...I would fear to do that because this does not sound very healthy to me. Any other experiences? @LSU628 turns to the chocolate milk for extra calories but...Don't know, I just thought that milk already is rich in energy..,

LSU628 · October 2014

My DD was diagnosed as FTT at her 4 yr old check up, so we closely monitor her fat/calorie intake. The chocolate and vanilla almond milk help me get a few extra calories in. I realize she's not the norm, but I also think a cup or chocolate or vanilla milk isn't going to hurt a kid.

Ridgebackmom · October 2014

We tried Goats Milk and it gave him really stinky/nasty diapers.
Now don't have any WCM at home but he has it 1-2x day at dc (M-F). If we didn't have a tree nut allergy in the house/family we'd do almond, I myself also enjoy flax and coconut milk.

I don't think it is necessary (read that) as they are getting (vitamins etc) nutrition from other sources.

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