Should I give my toddler soya milk instead of cow’s milk to reduce episodes of cough and cold?

Question

I’ve just been told by the GP that my toddler (18 months) might have asthma, not confirmed. I’m thinking of giving him soya milk instead of cow’s milk because cow’s milk increases phlegm production which does not help if you have asthma. However I know cow’s milk is much better for building strong bones and is a good source of calcium. My toddler is quite a fussy eater and I have to hide vegetables in his food most of the time. Any suggestions, your help is appreciated.

Answer 1

Try the Alpro Soya milk with added calcium and vitamins. You can get it sweetened or unsweetened according to your son's taste. You can also get it in chocolate and vanilla flavours if he's being really really fussy.

Answer 2

cows milk isn't good for calcium really, it actually starves the body of calcium because it is combined with protein(i think it's protein). So brocolli is the best source of calcium. Soya milk is quite good but you should try rice milk as younger children who drink lots of soya milk can sometimes develop an allergy to it, just as young children who drink lots of cow milk develop an allergy to it. My GP told me I had asthma but it was really an allergy to milk so I tried a few years without milk and now my "asthma" has mysteriously gone!
Hope that helped

Answer 3

I'd ask your doctor. I had asthma when I was young, and there wasn't any connection that I could tell to milk, though I didn't drink a whole lot.

If you do go with soy, you can also try adding flavoring if he doesn't like it, like chocolate or strawberry powder. I know it adds sugar to the diet, but it might keep him drinking. Also if you doctor recommends cutting back on dairy milk, you can ask about calcium supplements. They have those chews (designed for women) that are sort of like a tootsie roll that he might like.

Answer 4

My son was asthmatic when he was little (diagnosed at 2 yrs). I kept him on cows milk as I felt the advantages outweighed the disadvantages ...other people may argue the point lol.
You could try the soya milk option and see how he does on it, if he is significantly better then its worth doing.
If hes a fussy eater you may have trouble getting him to take it...have you tasted that stuff ...blerghhhhh its 'orrible :D

Answer 5

If you are not in a position to breast feed then soya is a good alternative. I would not suggest cows milk at all ... after all your son is a human and not a calf. cows milk does not provide strong bones & calcium for humans - only for other cows. We are the only race which drinks milk of other species and past childhood and it has no benifits what so ever. There are so many icky things in cows milk anyway - pus, bacteria, blood, etc - it is no wonder so many people are getting dairy intolorence these days.

Answer 6

Cow's milk can help worsen phlegm however all kids get colds and coughs. I would wait and see if your child really does have asthma and if so as your doctor which milk to use.

Answer 7

if your toddler has asthma, I think making him drink soy milk is uh, well sort of mean the stuff taste awful and why not just let the little guy enjoy his milk. There are so many things that produce excess flem, I mean he doesnt smoke,,,, so he is not killing his cilia, and no phlegm production is bad if you have asthma, but so are other things, so relax and let him have his milk....

Answer 8

One of my sons (both of them lifelong asthmatics) is known to be allergic to cow's milk. For drinking purposes he takes only soya milk, as he hates goat milk. However, the allergy appears to relate to rennet, so he is able to take vegetarian cheese, as long as it has not been cooked (this alters its constitution and harmless effects, apparently). Most toddlers are prepared to eat chunks of Cheddar (in this case the vegetarian variety!) Would that help?

Noticing somebody else's answer, according to what I have been told, a breastfeeding mother drinking cow's milk herself passes on its effects to a baby who is allergic to it. Painful thought!

Answer 9

The best person to ask would be your GP or health visitor.
Or you could try sheep milk, not many places sell it but it is becoming more popular and it tastes better than cows milk.

Answer 10

My son drinks soy milk and he has since age 1, I don't give him regular milk , he throws it up! I buy soy milk that's already made in the refrigerator isle. It has as much calcium, more D and extra good stuff. Just look at the back of the carton