[smarty~pants]

Sorry - this is a bit long.....

We started the transition from formula to cows milk with DS from about 11 months. He seemed to manage ok with 1/2 formula and 1/2 cows milk (although we noticed he woke a little more at night).

Just after 12 months we transitioned him solely onto cows milk and he had quite a marked reaction. Runny nose, red nappy rash that didn't clear with nappy cream, disgusting nappies which ranged from a tan colour right through to white and they were like water. Very fussy - lots of wind and loss of appetite. So we took him off cows milk and put him back on to formula - and he was totally fine.

We tried again with Soy milk and he had a milder reaction but still an upset tummy with lots of wind and yucky nappies.

So I tried a toddler milk formula - same scenario (he had been on an infant formula in between us trying to intorduce milk) and again with the reaction. So I'm now fairly certain he has some sort of lactose intolerance - he is completely fine with cheese, yoghurt and custard.

We are now trying the lactose free long life milk but he doesn't seem to like the taste.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I looked at rice milk when I did groceries on the weekend, but all the cartons say not for children under 5?

ARGH!

[Riotproof]

Rice milk is a low protein milk as far as I'm aware.
If all it is, is lactose intolerance the soy milk should have been fine. I'd be investigating further. It is possible to be allergic to soy and it is a very common ingredient out there.

Is there any reaction to the lactose free milk? You could try adding a tiny amount of vanilla essence or combining it with the formula he does like.
Of course, there is no reason why he has to consume any "milk" at all, and given he's having other forms of dairy, his calcium needs are most likely being met. Just something to consider.

[creepersgonnacre...]

try the soy again in small amounts. If he can tolerate cheese etc I would say it isn't a serious allergy just an intolerance.

Rice milk will need to have some oil or such added to it as it has little nutritional value.

[Maybe this month]

My daughter has lactose-free milk too. She doesn't mind the taste but you can get LF milk in both long-life and fresh form. Some people hate UHT milk (although I can't taste the difference) so maybe try him on the fresh LF milk (Zymil). It's in the fridge section with all the other milks. Maybe he might like that? Good luck!

[librablonde]

My DS's have had either Liddles Lactose Free (UHT) milk or So Good Soy Milk (UHT) and enjoyed them both. We just gave them those milks or they had water in their bottles until they got used to the new taste. Now after years of lactose-free living, we've managed to integrate small amounts of normal dairy products back into their diets. DP started DS with 1 teaspoon of yoghurt a week over a period of months and built up his tolerance from there.

[smarty~pants]

Thanks for all the replies.

Librablonde - the Liddells one is what we started and it seems to be ok now.

He has been pushing the bottle away at first but then taking it if we offer it a second time.

His tummy seems much better on the lactose free milk - apart from some initial constipation, his Nappies seem to be back to normal

Thanks again

[halcyodays]

My boy was exactly the same as yours- he loves Zymil, but is not too keen on the long life milk. It cleared it up straight away.