I have been giving my son half-formula, half-whole-milk since he turned 1 a month ago, but he is still having trouble adjusting. He strains hard to produce only tiny poops several times a day, whereas before he would have 1 or 2 decent bowel movements a day without too much discomfort. How long does it take to adjust? Should I be concerned about possible lactose intolerance at this point? My husband has some family members who are lactose intolerant, but no one on my side is.
Thanks to everyone who responded. We spoke to his pediatrician, who said that we should persevere a bit longer with the whole milk; to feed him prunes, pears and peaches; and to cut out bananas and apples. I was already feeding him all the prunes and prune juice he would tolerate. We've switched to organic milk, but he doesn't seem to like milk all that much, prefering water. He only really drinks about 6-8 oz, and most of that is with his breakfast cereal. I'll keep offering him milk though, and hope that he'll drink more fluids in general. I'll also try serving him more watery purees, to see if that helps his fluid intake too.
Hi J.,
I would try goat milk. We had great success with my son. The molecules are smaller and closer to the size of those in breast milk. It's easier to digest and therefore more tolerated by baby's little tummy. Good luck!
My 16 month old twin boys and my five year old drink goats milk. I would recommend trying that.
I'd go back to 100% formula and introduce it more slowly over several weeks. It can take 2 weeks (or more) for a baby to adjust to such a big change in their diet--milk/formula is still a big part of their day.
Also, I rotated my daughter on cow, goat, soy, and rice milk. As much to introduce new flavors as avoid any possible issues as she was exclusively breastfed.
As someone alreay said, it isn't likely lactose intolerance (or dairy allergy) if he has been on a "regular" formula.
Add prunes, pears, dried apricots (supervised)...cut down on crackers/bread, applesauce, bananas, rice.
Goat's milk is much easier to digest. I know I still get stomach-aches from milk, though I am not 'lactose intolerant'. If you have cottage cheese -looking fecal matter, that is undigested milk protein, and that is what is making it so hard. Either way I would lose the cow's milk and go with something different. You could make your own cashew milk, almond milk, or buy rice milk, to give you several options.
Hi Momma-
Cows milk is really not that good for people in general. I know babies need the calcium, etc., but from what I have researched and understand, our bodies actually lose the enzyme that breaks down our mothers milk once we start forming teeth. We are basically forcing our bodies to revert back to an infant state with milk drinking. So, as a milk lover, this concerns me. I want to be healthy and I want my children to be healthy. Which means you need options. One is Goat's milk. According to numerous sites and sources, goats milk has the calcium you need, but doesn't require your body to do as much work to break it down- it's healthier. You can also do a vegetarian milk, like almond milk, rice milk, etc. I would stay away from soy for kids until they are older- for some reason adolescent bodies have a hard time breaking down soy, too. Not really sure why. But you can also make your own nut milk. Soak the nuts (almonds, cashews, etc) overnight. Then blend them until smooth. Add water until is i the consistency you want.
I am definitely concerned and would be if I were you about the lactose issue. Look into substitutes. They are healthier for the body and if nothing else, give your sons palette a little more exposure to other flavors.
Good luck momma
-E. M
Not sure how many formula/milk bottles you are giving each day, but I've heard it from several pediatricians (including mine as a teenager) say that people should not ingest too much milk as it's difficult to digest. The pediatrician for my son said no more than 16 ozs a day. Thats just two small glasses.
Milk does not replace formula at all, so mixing them together doesn't really make since to me. Formula is a replacement for breastmilk. You can still breastfeed your child after the age of 1 and also give your child milk in addition to. Not sure about formula after the age of 1, so I can't say anything about that other than I heard you don't need it anymore since most of the nutrients they are getting from food.
If you are giving less than 16 ozs of just milk a day, then maybe you need to cut out the extra milk from the formula, cheese or other milk
products as it all adds up and makes for bad constipation.
There are lots of alternatives to dairy as many other moms have suggested so try one of those instead. And please don't be fooled by the dairy industry into thinking cows milk is the only way to get calcium and Vit D! There are plenty of other sources of those important nutrients - check out http://www.whattoexpect.com/toddler-nutrition/calcium-for... for some good suggestions.
My daugthter had the same problem as a baby with milk. We found out much later that she was indeed allergic to milk and lactose intolerant. I wish I had known earlier. I recommend you have your baby tested. K.
If your formula was just regular formula, it was milk based, so it is most likely not lactose intolerance. Some kids do have a hard time adjusting to whole cows milk. Some other options are goats milk, almond milk. I would talk to your doctor and see what they recommend. I have heard you should not give soy milk to children because it increases their estrogen levels. I would also try to do a larger amount of formula to smaller amount of milk for a couple weeks. Maybe do 90% formula or 80%, and stay there until he is better. Then more gradually increase the amount of milk in the ratio, for a couple weeks each time you change it.
Are you making sure to give him lots of fiber and fruits that will help make him go? This link is to a page that has good info on foods to avoid and foods that will help regulate him: http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/baby-constipati...
If you think he needs more help than pears or prune juice can provide, talk to your pediatrician. They can give you some good advice on how to procede with introducing the milk and helping him get regular again.
I recommend organic milk. I also recommend healthy water that will absorb on a cellular level to help properly hydrate him and also more enzymes to keep him more regular. It is not good to not have regular bowel movements as the toxins build up in the body and cause complications later on down the road. If you have any questions feel free to email me.
Have a great week.
N. Marie
How many ounces of milk is he drinking each day? He should only be having 16 oz or so, not as much as the formula he was drinking. His growth is now dependant on his food he is eating. Lots of veges, fruits and grains will help with the bowel movements.
He may be allergic to milk as many people are, but associate it with lactose intolerance. Either way, if it is lactose intolerance or allergies its not good for him, and can make things worse, and even make him sick in the future (i.e. colds, allergies). If you in really want to try a dairy for him, perhaps goat's milk would be better. Its molecularly more similar to humar milk and easier to digest. Its a bit runnier that whole milk which is a good thing. Good luck with the little guy!
Talk to your pediatrician- or if it doesn't get better and you don't get what you need from the pediatrician- consult with a nutritionist that works with infants and toddlers. Not that the pediatrician is at fault if they can't help- but a nutritionist or dietician might be of better help figuring out if lactose intolerant.
I had great luck with Goat Milk from 1-2 and then lowfat milk after....
