Milk substitute for 12 month old

So my daughter is coming up on her 1 year birthday and is supposed to switch to cow's milk. No thank you! Is there an alternative? Most things I read say full-fat fortified soy milk. We live a vegan lifestyle and I'm just not sure what to do. Just wondering what the best solution is. Thanks, Dani

Comments for
Milk substitute for 12 month old

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Jan 23, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Toddlers Don't need Cow's Milk
by: Eva

I am raising 3 children, currently ages 4, 7 and 10, and have never served them a glass of cow's milk. My children are tall, very healthy, have never broken a bone and have soft, clear skin.

My pediatrician knows of our no cow's milk for drinking (my husband still uses cow's milk in his recipes that call for milk) and the doc says that it's fine. I told him we get calcium to the kids in the form of fresh strawberries, spinach, broccoli, almond butter and calcium-fortified orange juice. He said fine and recommended Flintstone's Complete Chewable Vitamins on a daily basis.

Instead of cow's milk, we use almond milk in the children's morning smoothie (see the "superfood smoothie" recipe for children: http://www.stress-relief-teacher.com/superfoods.html) and at meals we only serve water from the brita filter tank in our fridge (breakfast includes a small glass of OJ).

When I look at the constant cases of ear infections and colds that my niece and nephew get, I have to wonder if their large consumption of cow's milk is responsible.
Mar 12, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My child does not drink cow's milk and is doing GREAT!
by: Anonymous

Hi there, my daughter is nearly 3 years old, and she does not drink cow's milk. She was born with a milk-soy protein intolerance, discovered while I was breastfeeding (and had dairy/soy in my diet) so it has never been an option. We use mostly rice milk and coconut milk, she takes a calcium supplement, and she gets calcium from plant foods and fortified cereals, etc. She has had ONE ear infection in her life (and it was while she was breastfed). She almost never gets a cold, and when she does, it only lasts a few days. She has reflux so we can't give her citrus juices, but she drinks other juices mixed with water (100% juice mixed in a ratio of 3 parts water one part juice). Hope that helps!
Apr 27, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Now why would one switch to a cow's udder, praytell?
by: Anonymous

When you say switch to cows milk, I assume you've been breastfeeding? If so, keep breastfeeding. No need to stop and it has huge benefits for mother and child alike. Long term breastfeeding is still not the norm in America, but that doesn't mean it's not the best thing. A good book on this topic is "The Motherly Art of Breastfeeding". Loving, gentle, LaLeche.
Apr 27, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		rice/coconut milk
by: Anonymous

Hello!

I'm curious to hear more about the mom who used rice and coconut milk after weaning from breastfeeding. At what age?

Sadly, I was unable to breastfeed and have a 7 month old. She is on an Rx formula for major intolerances to soy and dairy. I want so much to have her off of it as it is not organic and contains corn syrup and chemicals. Anyway, I hope to wean a touch early (10 months?) and just make sure she has a colorful well rounded diet, of course. Calcium sources from Kale ect - fortunately she eats her solids very well as of a few weeks ago.

Thank you for any suggestions!
Apr 28, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Plant milk
by: Anonymous

That was me! My daughter is nearly 4 now. I left out what we used in between breastfeeding and milk substitute! She had major intolerances too...and was on Elecare formula (which sounds liek the one you describe) until 14 months. After that we experimented with a lot of different plant milks...now we use mostly almond milk. Good luck...!
Apr 28, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		elecare/neocate
by: Anonymous

Hi there!

Thank you for reaching out! So, your baby had to be on elecare until 14 months? I'm desperately searching for something before then. She has been FULL of phlegm since beginning it - I believe from all of the corn syrup.

Do you have any advice? From reading correctly, at that time (14 months) is when you began the almond milk. I hope we do not have to wait that long as she has so much pressure in her sinuses which has resulted in ear infections.

I've tried the homemade formulas from Weston Price and she couldn't handle them - I wish I could find a trustworthy rice/coconut/almond milk based formula??

So happy to hear you got through the mystery and your baby has tolerated the almond milk!!

Click here to add your own comments









Follow us on Twitter!

The Basics

Vegan Recipes

Vegan Nutrition

Need Some Help?

Behind The Scenes

Subscribe To This Site
XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines

Vegan Newsletter
Subscribe To
The Golden Banana Newsletter
The Straight Poop On Vegan Cooking and Nutrition

Enter Your Email Address

Enter Your First Name (0ptional)

Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you The Golden Banana.