What sort of milk can mom drink while breastfeeding that is not from cows and does not contain cow proteins?

Question

The baby is allergic to dairy products but we want my wife to continue to eat well so we are thinking of maybe switching to another sort of milk? What do you suggest in order for her to keep eating enough of what she needs to continue to breastfeed?

Answer 1

Some babies who are allergic to cow's milk can tolerate goat's milk. Many others cannot. Your wife doesn't need *any* milk from a nutritional perspective, but if she wants something to pour on cereal or put in her coffee, she can use rice or almond milk. (Almond is the only milk with similar nutritional value to cow's milk.) Soy is not a good idea because about half of all babies who are allergic to dairy are also allergic to soy. And the more the baby is exposed, the greater the likelihood of developing an allergy.

To replace the calcium she would be getting from milk, there are a few options. First of all, many babies who can't tolerate dairy milk can have hard cheeses. The bacteria that produce the cheese from milk partially digest the protein, leaving something that is better tolerated. If she's tried small amounts of cheese, and baby still reacted (don't try this if baby has a life-threatening allergy, of course!!), then 2 of the best food sources of calcium are almonds (whole, grated, almond butter, or almond milk) or sesame (whole, ground, or techina).

Some green leafy vegetables also contain a lot of calcium, but many of them also have high levels of oxalic acid, which interferes with calcium absorption. In other words, if your *toilet* needs more calcium (or iron, for that matter--no matter what Popeye says!!), then eating spinach will do it. The problem is that there is no general agreement over which vegetables do or don't have oxalic acid, even among experts, although I am fairly confident stating that spinach does have it and kale doesn't.

Lastly, while she *should* eat a healthy diet, even if she doesn't, the baby won't be affected. Unless she has had a truly horrendous diet for years (and maybe even if she has!), her milk will be very healthy. Women who have lived their entire lives under famine conditions and had high-quality milk.

And, by the way, lactaid will *not* help. It is lactase, an enzyme that breaks down lactose (milk sugar). It will do nothing for the milk protein that your baby is allergic to.

Answer 2

Please be very careful of soy milk. It is full of plant estrogens, and there has been some concern about how that might affect a baby. There are milk alternatives that aren't really milk at all, but can be substituted in cereal, recipes, etc. Rice milk is what I drink personally, it has a sweeter taste and is great on cereal. My kids like almond milk. Neither has plant estrogens.

However, for your wife, if she is concerned about calcium in her diet, dark green veggies are the way to go. There is so much calcium in broccoli, spinach, etc, and these things are better for you than any kind of milk.

Answer 3

Actually she can do without the milk, it can cause gassy stomach on the baby. Protein intake can be obtain from other sources such as fish (also rich in omega-3, good for the brain). Just remember to keep the fluid intake especially after each breastfeeding session (one tall glass of water after every session). Be careful with calcium supplement though, it can cause constipation on the mother and probably a colicky baby.

Answer 4

My son had the same problem when I breastfed. Stay away form soy because that is the second most thing he is likely to be allergic to. Stick with rice. Most health food stores have rice moil, cheese, ice cream, etc. that she can eat. Try to stay away from whey as it is just a fancy word for dairy. La Leche League has a lot more information on this and can help with meal ideas, etc. Good Luck!

Answer 5

Try yak milk. Buddhist monks high in the Himalayas milk them at the peak of the richness of their golden milk and it's rich and filling. Have it shipped to you. I don't have the number to the Himalayan Creamery, but online, anything is possible. Also, Professional is a LLL nipple Nazi who will advise you to malnourish both your wife and your baby with her "advice". Go to a doctor, for real. Ok?

Answer 6

Try soya milk. It's just as good as cow's milk. Plus lots of fluid intake, and a healthy, balanced diet, both your wife and baby will be healthy and fine. Congratulations!

Answer 7

Vanilla Soy milk is delicious!

Answer 8

Talk with your doctor. There are plenty of supplements available. There is also goat's milk and such that is also available. Use your doctor. That is what they are there for. They understand common questions like these and are willing to help

Answer 9

Soy milk.

Answer 10

Soy milk.