My 12 month old got his shots for MMR, chicken pox, and hepatitis A last week and had a reaction immediately after he got the shots (extreme fussiness/excessive crying/fever over 102). This lasted a few days, but he's fully recovered now. At that time, we were in the process of transitioning him from formula to cow's milk.
Since the shots, he has been refusing to drink milk. We've tried two toddler formulas, coconut milk, hemp milk, cow's milk, almond milk, and even his infant formula (all suggested by his doctor). He's lactose intolerant so he can't eat yogurt or cheese to replace the milk. He's also a terrible eater so the little bit of regular foods he eats does not provide enough calories and fat he would get from milk.
I just emailed his doctor, but wanted to know if any of you have suggestions. I'm so desperate and frustrated!! TIA!
For those confused by his lactose intolerance and by my offer of cow's milk, I give him lactose free cow's milk.
I have not tried chocolate milk. I don't want him thinking that if he refuses "regular" food, he'll be rewarded with much better tasting (but not so healthy) sugary alternatives. I guess I'm not THAT desperate. lol.
Milk is not "extra." One year olds still need the fat in whole milk for brain development. According to my doctor and AAP, they need about 24 oz. per day. Water and dark green veggies don't contain fat.
My kids are older so maybe I'm forgetting how it is, but after a year isn't food their main sustenance and milk an extra? At this point he technically doesn't need the milk so why sweat it?
There is a whole anti-milk movement claiming that milk is not necessary to live. Maybe push water and dark green leafy vegetables.
Sorry - just confused. If he's lactose intolerant why are you trying to put him on cow's milk?
I would never try that many different types of milk/formula in one week. I get you are desperate but that can totally upset a child's digestive system. I'm surprised your doctor recommended that.
I would just go back to his regular formula in a bottle or however he was taking it. Until you know what's going on. Take him in. Kids refuse to eat sometimes when they are not feeling well.
Good luck :)
My kids never liked milk in any form, except breast milk, which they had until about 18 months and were actually eating real food.
Keep pushing the formula, hopefully he'll go back to it because that is what he knows, and it has to be healthier and better for him than anything else.
He's still a baby after all, breast or formula is still his main nourishment.
Can you elaborate on this a bit, and explain why you say he is lactose intolerant and unable to have yogurt or cheese, but you are putting him on cow's milk?
I think you may be switching around much too much, and he's not getting a chance to get used to anything. Also, he's not eating much table food, so I'm wondering if there are some sensory issues that make it hard for him. A lot of kids don't do well at this age with texture, so a variety of table foods with a different "feel" in his mouth can be problematic.
I work in food science with a lot of kids like this, and in fact with kids with what appear to be healthy appetites. The AMA said, over a decade ago, that the American diet (even with whole foods) is insufficient for full nutrition, so everyone MUST supplement. I would think a truly comprehensive children's supplement with all the necessary ingredients for healthy cell functioning would be highly beneficial. We do this all the time with kids who have compromised immune systems, malnutrition/failure to thrive syndrome, and more. We use a non-dairy and gluten free supplement that can be drunk by itself or mixed in many other foods the child will consume. One of the interesting things that happens with kids (and adults) with sensory issues is that the problems often go away when the body gets the fuel it needs. Many of these conditions are the result of nutrient deficiencies, so if you give enough in a highly absorbable form, things can turn around pretty quickly, especially with advances in epigenetics which controls the way the cells function.
You're right, he needs more calories and more overall nutrition. Even if he drank milk, it's not a complete food. So you need more than that.
Isn't a 12 month old a 1 year old? Just making me scratch my head.
Psychologically we associate new things introduced during bad times to being bad. Like you ate a pizza and then came down with a stomach flu, after that that pizza makes you feel sick. I got sick just after eating clam chowder, I was 40 before I could eat it again.
He could very well be associating milk with how he felt after the shots. In his mind if he drinks milk he will feel bad. Sadly I have no idea how to overcome that.
Of course, this is not medical advice, but you might ask your doctor about yogurt. If your son doesn't have a dairy allergy, but has the symptoms of lactose intolerance, some good quality yogurts (organic, plain, Greek yogurts) are well tolerated by lactose intolerant people because the yogurts are aged and cultured. The lactose enzymes are reduced in the culturing process. The same goes for aged cheeses (real Parmigiano Reggiano, for example) and cultured butters (available in some specialty stores).
It goes without saying that this is not something you should try without medical supervision. I'm just suggesting that some cultured dairy products might not be harmful as long as there are no allergies involved and with the doctor's permission.
If your son is having that many nutritional issues, ask his doctor for a referral to a pediatric nutritionist. Many of the milk types you mentioned won't provide the necessary calories, vitamins, fats and other nutrients that babies need. And many of the commercially prepared alternative milks contain additives, preservatives, carageenan and gums, and artificial flavors or sweeteners.
Keep a food log of what he consumes daily so that the pediatrician can properly evaluate his intake and his needs.
calories and fat can come from a gazillion other place. coconut oil, avocados, bananas, meats, coconut or almond yogurt, and of course, nuts.
it's only been a week, and it was a super-busy and confusing week. too soon to be 'desperate and frustrated.' slow down, calm down, and offer new foods gently, easily, in small doses, and without pressure.
everyone just needs to take a breath.
khairete
S.
For now, feed him what he will eat. My second was intolerant of cows milk. The other "milks" (soy, rice, almond) are not much better than sugar water - I'd skip those if I were you. My son liked soy yogurt, you might try that. Or if he likes oatmeal, you could make that using his baby formula as the liquid.
Once he's really feeling better and back to normal in another week or so, then try going back to his infant formula. I wouldn't even try milk since he's lactose intolerant.
ETA: Some other posts gave me more ideas - basically, anything you can cook until soft, mash, and mix some formula in to boost calories is good - mashed potatoes, thick banana puree, etc. One of my kids didn't really take to solids until 14 months, so it's also totally normally that he's not a good eater of regular foods. But you can cook things until they are soft in the meantime.
Well, since dairy is out and the milk substitutes are being refused his calories are going to have to come from somewhere else.
Try well mashed up potatoes, sweet potatoes, bananas, baked fries and other veggies.
Coconut oil spreads well and you can use it on bread or other things like butter.
As far as fluids goes - water and watered down juice are fine for now.
Take a complete milk break for several months and then try him again on a milk substitute and see how it goes.
The thing is - their first year they have such rapid growth (they roughly triple their birth weight) that it's hard for a parent to adjust when that rate naturally slows a bit.
Parents are convinced their toddlers are starving since it seems like they eat so little but once they are crawling and walking they just burn up so much energy their weight gain slows down and they start to lose that chubby baby look.
His tummy might still be upset. Running a fever can mess them up that way. When I've had a fever I do NOT want milk for days. There are plenty of people that never drink milk nor eat cheese or other dairy. Give him lots of fluids and he should be back to normal soon. If not keep in contact with the doc. They'll know when it's an issue they need to see him for.
Did you try chocolate milk?
feed the child what he will eat, offer water to keep hydrated. and try again in a day or so. baby may still be feeling off from the reaction/ give it time and don't rush into reintroducing milk. my mother never drank milk and it didn't do any harm.
Actually milk IS "extra". A one year old should be getting most of their nutrition from formula or breastmilk. Table food should be introduced according to how well they can chew and swallow. Cow's milk provides some fat (not as much as formula or breastmilk) and calcium. That's about it. If you are fair-skinned, you store vitamin D very well and don't need a suppliment, getting outdoors daily should be enough. These things are easily replaced by other foods such as the ones mentioned below. Butter, oils, and other natural fats are good choices. He should be able to tolerate a good whole fat yogurt, too, even though he's lactose intolerant. All of my kids were lactose intolerant until about age 5, and they all fared quite well without milk - yogurt and aged cheeses were fine. I nursed them into toddlerhood, but formula should do the trick for a while longer for you guys.
One more thing, if he's a "terrible eater" then you have other things to worry about than getting him to try new foods. Stick with a regular routine, then slowly introduce new foods, you tried too many milks over too short a period of time. "Terrible eaters" is a misnomer. Just calling him that sets him up for failure, I hope he never hears you say it.
