Milk alternatives for children
elphie754
Posts: 7,574 Member
Anyone have an suggestions for milk substitutes for kids when they are old enough to start drinking milk?
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Replies
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Ask your doctor.5
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Chef_Barbell wrote: »Ask your doctor.
Was asking for what products other people recommend (i.e. Taste good to them etc).1 -
Are you looking for just an alternative to cow milk or a plant-based milk?
My youngest sister was very sensitive to cow milk when she was growing up, but she tolerated goat milk very well. I understand that is the case for some people, although I don't know the reasons behind it. I thought it tasted a bit "gamy," but she liked it.
If you're looking for a plant-based milk, I would choose one that has a higher natural fat content because children need plenty of fat. Soy milk and coconut milk would be good places to start. I find the taste of soy sometimes overwhelming when I drink it by itself, but a child raised on it might not mind it. Coconut milk tastes delicious to me. My overall favorite plant-based milk is cashew milk -- it's very creamy and has a taste I find quite pleasant. I think the fat content is higher than almond, but I'm not sure.2 -
I love cashew milk and almond milk. My kids love them as well.1
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Why do you want a milk substitute?
My guess is her child might develop similar/same allergies as her mother. elphie's allergic to a lot of stuff.
This is just rumor, but you might try goat milk. Sometimes that works when kids have cow milk allergies.
ETA: The goat-kid connection is not an intended pun.5 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Are you looking for just an alternative to cow milk or a plant-based milk?
My youngest sister was very sensitive to cow milk when she was growing up, but she tolerated goat milk very well. I understand that is the case for some people, although I don't know the reasons behind it. I thought it tasted a bit "gamy," but she liked it.
If you're looking for a plant-based milk, I would choose one that has a higher natural fat content because children need plenty of fat. Soy milk and coconut milk would be good places to start. I find the taste of soy sometimes overwhelming when I drink it by itself, but a child raised on it might not mind it. Coconut milk tastes delicious to me. My overall favorite plant-based milk is cashew milk -- it's very creamy and has a taste I find quite pleasant. I think the fat content is higher than almond, but I'm not sure.
It's the milk protein she is allergic to so not sure if other animal mills will be okay. I've tried silk soy milk before and didn't think it was too bad.Why do you want a milk substitute?
Daughter was just diagnosed with a milk protein allergy.
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Anyone have an suggestions for milk substitutes for kids when they are old enough to start drinking milk?
What's the goal for the milk? Are you looking to be sure the child gets calcium or do you want something to put on cereal or is it just for normal everyday hydration?
My daughter nursed for a long time (27 months) and since then she has mostly drank water, with some juice. I've never been big on juice but she loves tomato juice and has a glass each day. My husband and I drink milk and she is certainly allowed but just doesn't like it. I'm not a fan of milk substitutes (almond milk, rice milk, etc.) so I've never had her try them.0 -
Goat milk is most similar to human milk, so that's a good option. Hemp milk is often suggested because it has high fat that growing toddlers need. Taste wise, my almost 5 year old loves almond milk (the sweetened ones, unsweetened not so much) but my 1 year old won't touch it...so it depends on the kid. They don't have to drink any milk if you want to just give water, and make sure nutritional needs are met through food. (My kids still wanted the comfort and routine though for awhile, so I get that.)1
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My older two transitioned to cow's milk just fine. My youngest wouldn't drink it. She drinks water. She likes yogurt and cheese and salad, so I'm not worried about calcium.0
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I loved milk as a kid but at age 30 became lactose intolerant. Avoided milk for years until I started eating oatmeal and started using almond milk. Get the unsweetened one to avoid the sugar1
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janejellyroll wrote: »Are you looking for just an alternative to cow milk or a plant-based milk?
My youngest sister was very sensitive to cow milk when she was growing up, but she tolerated goat milk very well. I understand that is the case for some people, although I don't know the reasons behind it. I thought it tasted a bit "gamy," but she liked it.
If you're looking for a plant-based milk, I would choose one that has a higher natural fat content because children need plenty of fat. Soy milk and coconut milk would be good places to start. I find the taste of soy sometimes overwhelming when I drink it by itself, but a child raised on it might not mind it. Coconut milk tastes delicious to me. My overall favorite plant-based milk is cashew milk -- it's very creamy and has a taste I find quite pleasant. I think the fat content is higher than almond, but I'm not sure.
It's the milk protein she is allergic to so not sure if other animal mills will be okay. I've tried silk soy milk before and didn't think it was too bad.Why do you want a milk substitute?
Daughter was just diagnosed with a milk protein allergy.
Oh, if that's the case I definitely wouldn't give her goat milk. I just looked up why some people do better with it and it's because it has less lactose. So it wouldn't be useful for the milk protein allergy.2 -
If you are dealing with an allergy I would definately discuss with a Dr. Nutritionally not all substitutes are equal. My youngest developed a sensitivity to lactose (not a true allergy, but it did cause him some tummy issues) around 18 months old, so we had him on lactose free cows milk for a couple years. He had no issues eating yogurt or cheese, it was just the straight milk that bothered him. Luckily he did outgrow his sensitivity and he can drink regular cows milk just fine now.1
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my kids love almond milk, it has lots of calcium0
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janejellyroll wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Are you looking for just an alternative to cow milk or a plant-based milk?
My youngest sister was very sensitive to cow milk when she was growing up, but she tolerated goat milk very well. I understand that is the case for some people, although I don't know the reasons behind it. I thought it tasted a bit "gamy," but she liked it.
If you're looking for a plant-based milk, I would choose one that has a higher natural fat content because children need plenty of fat. Soy milk and coconut milk would be good places to start. I find the taste of soy sometimes overwhelming when I drink it by itself, but a child raised on it might not mind it. Coconut milk tastes delicious to me. My overall favorite plant-based milk is cashew milk -- it's very creamy and has a taste I find quite pleasant. I think the fat content is higher than almond, but I'm not sure.
It's the milk protein she is allergic to so not sure if other animal mills will be okay. I've tried silk soy milk before and didn't think it was too bad.Why do you want a milk substitute?
Daughter was just diagnosed with a milk protein allergy.
Oh, if that's the case I definitely wouldn't give her goat milk. I just looked up why some people do better with it and it's because it has less lactose. So it wouldn't be useful for the milk protein allergy.
The allergist said it is very possible she grows out of it, but with my allergy history, I'm not holding my breath.
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Just so people don't keep repeating it-we have already seen and discussed it with pediatrician as well as pediatric allergist. Was looking for brand recommendations.2
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Unfortunately, very little protein in rice or almond milk, but many of the commercial varieties seem to be fortified to be comparable to cow's milk for calcium and vitamin D. Fortified Soy milk has more protein, but soy is another common allergen. Check with your pediatrician.1
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If your child isn't allergic to cow's milk, why substitute it? If you're allergic to foods, then you need to have her tested. Find a good ENT and have her put through the battery of tests. It's worth it to know for sure.
My daughter is very allergic to cow's milk! It actually triggers allergic asthma. She loves milk though! I literally have to monitor her but she's 19 so... kind of difficult. She's tried soy milk, but doesn't like it. Will use unsweetened vanilla almond milk on cereal.1 -
Chef_Barbell wrote: »
Seriously? Even if they did, does that sudddenly mean I can't ask other people for suggestions?6 -
Chef_Barbell wrote: »
Seriously? Even if they did, does that sudddenly mean I can't ask other people for suggestions?
I was just asking for a jumping point... No one said you couldn't ask for suggestions.
ETA- I personally like almond milk but if there is a nut allergy that's out, so that is why I asked did the doctors say anything else.1 -
Just so people don't keep repeating it-we have already seen and discussed it with pediatrician as well as pediatric allergist. Was looking for brand recommendations.
My son loves Silk unsweetened vanilla cashew milk. He also likes the new Silk nut protein milk (I think it's a blend of cashew, almond and pea protein) but it has a lot of sugar so I didn't buy it again.0 -
My 2 yr old was on Soy milk from age 1 -2 and then I read an article that said something about the Soy not being good for girls (i.e., messing with their hormones), so we switched her to Lactaid Milk. She seems to like it! I tasted it and it was okay just a bit sweeter than regular milk. We get the Generic 2% Lactaid.
She is not allergic to milk but regular milk and cheeses upset her tummy and give her gas so I just assume she might be lactose intolerant.0 -
When it comes to milk allergies - there are two types - the lactose intolerance - Goat has less of it but still has it.
The other one is a protein allergy - I think it is called A2 from ancient memory - There is cow's milk that is free of it and it is not in goat's milk.
So it greatly depends.
My cousins with cow's milk allergy did well on soy milk0 -
CatchMom13 wrote: »If your child isn't allergic to cow's milk, why substitute it? If you're allergic to foods, then you need to have her tested. Find a good ENT and have her put through the battery of tests. It's worth it to know for sure.
My daughter is very allergic to cow's milk! It actually triggers allergic asthma. She loves milk though! I literally have to monitor her but she's 19 so... kind of difficult. She's tried soy milk, but doesn't like it. Will use unsweetened vanilla almond milk on cereal.
You obviously didn't read. She is diagnosed already with the allergy by a pediatric allergist.2 -
Chef_Barbell wrote: »Chef_Barbell wrote: »
Seriously? Even if they did, does that sudddenly mean I can't ask other people for suggestions?
I was just asking for a jumping point... No one said you couldn't ask for suggestions.
ETA- I personally like almond milk but if there is a nut allergy that's out, so that is why I asked did the doctors say anything else.
Thankfully no nut allergy (at least according to the blood work). They suggest soy milk when we first give her milk. Right now she has been changed to a specialized formula..UsaJewels05 wrote: »My 2 yr old was on Soy milk from age 1 -2 and then I read an article that said something about the Soy not being good for girls (i.e., messing with their hormones), so we switched her to Lactaid Milk. She seems to like it! I tasted it and it was okay just a bit sweeter than regular milk. We get the Generic 2% Lactaid.
She is not allergic to milk but regular milk and cheeses upset her tummy and give her gas so I just assume she might be lactose intolerant.
Lactaid I believe just gets rid of the lactose (I could be wrong) so would not be a suitable alternative.
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I have one kid who's lactose intolerant, and she tried all the alternatives before declaring that almond milk was the best flavored. She uses the original version on cereal and such and then she drinks chocolate almond milk as well.0
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@janejellyroll goats milk does not have lactose in it, so the lactose intolerant can drink it.0
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@janejellyroll goats milk does not have lactose in it, so the lactose intolerant can drink it.
Goat milk does have lactose in it, it just has less of it than milk from a cow. This is why people with lactose issues can sometimes handle it better.0 -
I would honestly just try everything. My kids don't have a milk allergy, but they've had almond milk, soy milk, cashew milk, rice milk, goat milk, quinoa milk.....if you can milk it they have drunk it. FWIW they're favourite has been almond milk.1
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My 2-year-old niece has the same allergy and is drinking almond milk1
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