So I have a 5 year old daughter that has food sensitivities or allergies, she gets an upset stomach or rash with too much dairy or berries. . .The milk started while I was still breastfeeding, so she drinks rice milk still, but can eat some dairy now. . .berries is the same, only a few and then she gets "sore pee pee parts."
Now I have a one year old and have been having trouble switching her over to whole milk (got sick, runny nose, etc. after having so much in a day) so I gave that up as I know that allergies run in families (mind you my husband and I and our families have no allergies). I just realized that she is reacting to melons, huge facial rash after consuming. I now realize tomato sauce is doing the same thing (ketchup, spaghetti sauce). So I tried to start switching her to rice milk, but she would get a cold (or cold like symptoms) when I got to a certain amount during the day, so I cut that attempt too. MInd you she is a January 2009, so I have been trying to switch her during cold and flu season, but literally she would get sick within three days of starting the other type of milk.
So the questions I have is . . .
has anyone felt brave enough to try almond milk at this young of age? I didn't do any nuts, because of the food sensitivities of my older until after age 3 and still not much until now, when she is closer to 5.
I have just continued the similac formula during this because she has reacted to the switches and I just wanted to get out of cold and flu season, so now is the time to try something.
she does really enjoy drinking something other than water, so cutting it out I don't think is an option at this point, even though she does get a lot of cheese and yogurt products.
Any words of advice would be appreciated. Oh, and we did do allergy testing two times, before and after 2 years old, and I was not pleased with the results. The first testing came out and she was put on two different meds to clear the runny nose and cough, which didn't help (we took her off dairy and gave probiotics), then after 2 it said that she was allergic to those things she was eating with no problem, and fine with foods that I knew were problem foods. So I am not eager to rush into testing and I am not eager to see an allergist, unless someone has a really great recommendation (In South Bay area).
I apologize for blabbing on, complicated situation (or at least in my mind it is). I appreciate any words of advice.
I do know many people who have successfully tried almond milk with their children before age 3.
My son drinks soy milk and has no problems with it. He does have some nut allergies, so I was hesitant to try almond milk and didn't feel the rice milk contained enough of the nutrients I wanted for him. I know there is controversy about too much soy, but it works best for us.
Did you do a blood test or a skin test when you did the allergy testing? I had a good one at UCLA and also really like the one I just saw in Orange. I know neither is too close to the South Bay, but if you want the recs, send me a message.
My son, now 2, has also been allergic to a long list of foods, including milk, peanuts, tree nuts, even soy and wheat. Breastmilk was his only milk until he was about 14 months because he got reactions from soy milk, too, which at that time seemed to be the most convenient alternative to cow's milk.
We tried giving him flavored hemp milk (the best tasting flavor is vanilla, in my opinion) which we get at Whole Foods and were ecstatic to finally find a milk alternative to breastmilk esp. since I wanted to wean him by 2 years old. It's a bit pricey ($4 a quart-size carton) but it's the best we got so far - good source of calcium, protein and even omega-3 fatty acids. I highly recommend it.
Good luck! ~M.
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M.M.
answers from
Jacksonville
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We have done allergy testing twice with my daughter and it also said she was allergic to things she is not but not to things she obviously can't even touch, like rice. With the girs' history of allergies I would stay away from any nut related products for a while yet. Maybe Soymilk? How about yogurt? Mine will eat yogurt.
Also mine is allergic/highly sensitive to rapeseed and canola oils. She can eat peanut butter if it is Skippy Naturals but the regular will give her huge splotches on her face and she breaks out in hives. She is not considered allergic though according to the allergy tests.
I have a list on the computer that I update when she gets into something that breaks her out so when we need it I can just print off her allergy list. THis helps a lot when she goes to friend's to stay the night or Girl Scout functions.
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C.A.
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Los Angeles
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All three of my children were allergic to soy formula and cow's milk after I had to stop breastfeeding. I found that all three thrived on GOAT's milk, that you can purchase in liquid form or powdered. My daughter started her son on goat's milk as she was in the process of weaning him over five months. Since we had milk allergies on both sides of the family, goat's milk has been a wonderful find. It also is a complete protein package, but may lack iron, so consult your doctor about iron supplements or iron fortified cereals. I raised all three of my children to age five on goat's milk with yogurt and cheese and today all three can take liquid cow's milk in moderate amounts. One child is still allergic to soy. In fact, I think goat's milk saved my daughter's life and she was having diarrhea so bad as a toddler she lost 20% of her body weight. Her only protein was baby food meat for a while. As soon as we put her on goat's milk, the diarrhea stopped and she gained weight and became a much more normal peppy kid. Today she is a mother and very healthy. Good luck.
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P.H.
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Los Angeles
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My first born (now 7) had dairy and peanut/walnut allergies which petered off totally when he got to about 5.
My youngest (just turned one) has had some allergic reaction to dairy aswell though not as severe. I've had him on almond milk since he was 11 months old and he's had no reactions at all. I would definitely go ahead and try it. It's also a great medium for food blending. I finely chop chicken, add peas and broccoli and then the almond milk so that he can have a balanced (very coarsely) pureed meal. I also use it to make milk dairy free shakes. You can blend with bananas, pears and papaya (all gentle, low acidic and nutritious fruits. Agave is a good natural sweetener though you may want to go slowly with this to see if it causes a reaction.
