Thinking about stopping

Clare L wrote:

I'm thinking about stopping BF DS when he gets to one year (a month and a
half away) for one reason and one reason only.
DS is allergic to milk to an extent that I can't consume anything with milk
in it. Milk products creep in to all sorts of things. And I miss cheese
sooooo much. I also a vegetarian and so going out to eat where I live and
finding something that is veggie and dairy free is a little tricky to say
the least.

Part of me says after a year and given my dietary restrictions, then
stopping BF is fair enough.
But the other part of me isn't so sure.

You lot have helped me so much in the past - I like some friendly input on
this issue.

Clare





I can see why you'd *want* to stop - but, on the other hand, are you
just switching from
a hassle with your diet to a hassle with his? If nothing else, I
think I wouldn't
wean him until I knew he'd eat/drink some dairy substitute
(soy/rice/oat milk, soy yogurt,
soy cheese, etc.) Before other people leap in - yes, I know soy is a
common allergan,
so you'd want to be careful about introducing that as well.

Clisby

I'm thinking about stopping BF DS when he gets to one year (a month and a
half away) for one reason and one reason only.
DS is allergic to milk to an extent that I can't consume anything with milk
in it. Milk products creep in to all sorts of things. And I miss cheese
sooooo much. I also a vegetarian and so going out to eat where I live and
finding something that is veggie and dairy free is a little tricky to say
the least.

Part of me says after a year and given my dietary restrictions, then
stopping BF is fair enough.
But the other part of me isn't so sure.

You lot have helped me so much in the past - I like some friendly input on
this issue.

Clare

Clare L wrote:

DS is allergic to milk to an extent that I can't consume anything with milk
in it. Milk products creep in to all sorts of things. And I miss cheese
sooooo much. I also a vegetarian and so going out to eat where I live and
finding something that is veggie and dairy free is a little tricky to say
the least.

This isn't meant to sound bitchy, and if it does, I'm sorry...but what
will he drink then? He can't have cow's milk. I've only just gotten
mine, at 19 months, to accept Rice Dream.

E

Hi -

Going for a full year without dairy AND being vegetarian is quite an
accomplishment. Congratulations.

However, if you can stand it, go for another 6-12 months. Restricting
your own diet for another year is easy compared to restricting the diet
of a child for years .. or for life. He's only got a milk allergy now;
but people with one allergy tend to develop more. And staying on
breastmilk will help ensure that, not matter what happens, he's got an
adequate source of nutrition for as long as you continue to nurse.

It's up to you, of course. But the longer you can continue to nurse
(even up to five years) the better off your child is likely to be in the
long term.

If you decide to wean, wean gradually. Don't move your child to
formula. Rather, move him to a balanced, varied diet. (And since he's
got a milk allergy, seriously consider NOT having him try to be
vegetarian too. As you've learned, it makes eating quite complex.)

Whatever you decide, I hope it goes well.
--Beth Kevles

http://web.mit.edu/kevles/www/nomilk.html -- a page for the milk-allergic
Disclaimer: Nothing in this message should be construed as medical
advice. Please consult with your own medical practicioner.

Hi Clare,

I know that going dairy free has been hard on your, but I think for your
son, weaning him at this time with a dairy may be jumping from the frying
pan into the fire. You will likely not be able to use formula or any milk
based products. Moving him to a balanced diet will be a challenge.

For his sake, I think you should try to hold out for another year. You may
well find that over time his dairly allergy will diminish to the point that
you will be able to start consuming dairy.

In any case, good luck,
Larry

Clare L writes:
: I'm thinking about stopping BF DS when he gets to one year (a month and a
: half away) for one reason and one reason only.
: DS is allergic to milk to an extent that I can't consume anything with milk
: in it. Milk products creep in to all sorts of things. And I miss cheese
: sooooo much. I also a vegetarian and so going out to eat where I live and
: finding something that is veggie and dairy free is a little tricky to say
: the least.

: Part of me says after a year and given my dietary restrictions, then
: stopping BF is fair enough.
: But the other part of me isn't so sure.

: You lot have helped me so much in the past - I like some friendly input on
: this issue.

: Clare

"Clare L" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking about stopping BF DS when he gets to one year (a month and a
half away) for one reason and one reason only.
DS is allergic to milk to an extent that I can't consume anything with
milk
in it. Milk products creep in to all sorts of things. And I miss cheese
sooooo much. I also a vegetarian and so going out to eat where I live and
finding something that is veggie and dairy free is a little tricky to say
the least.

Part of me says after a year and given my dietary restrictions, then
stopping BF is fair enough.
But the other part of me isn't so sure.

You lot have helped me so much in the past - I like some friendly input on
this issue.

I kwym. DS had just the same problem. I couldn't even have rice milk that
was processed on dairy equipment. Every minor contamination led to rashes.
However, I stuck with the BF'ing for one reason. DS did not have as varied
a diet as I. There was no way he was going to get any nutrition without BF.
He didn't like soy or rice milk and he was very picky. I made sure to take
a Centrum every day for myself, but he wouldn't take any vitamins. My own
nails were beginning to get very brittle from the lack of dairy, even though
I took supplements. His were fine, took what calcium he needed from me.
The restriction in my own diet made me much more aware and gave me more
empathy for his needs. How is it that you are going to eat your dairy foods
and refuse it to your son, who is begging for your plate? I thought about
that, and decided it was better we both had the same diet.

"Elana" wrote in message
...
Clare L wrote:

DS is allergic to milk to an extent that I can't consume anything with
milk
in it. Milk products creep in to all sorts of things. And I miss cheese
sooooo much. I also a vegetarian and so going out to eat where I live
and
finding something that is veggie and dairy free is a little tricky to
say
the least.

This isn't meant to sound bitchy, and if it does, I'm sorry...but what
will he drink then? He can't have cow's milk. I've only just gotten
mine, at 19 months, to accept Rice Dream.

Not to mention that rice milk is a really weak nutritional substitute for
ANY kind of milk, I don't care how fortified it is. The protein complex is
well, nonexistant.

Jenrose

"Jenrose" wrote in message
...

"toypup" wrote in message
news:Fw4Ra.73836$ye4.50975@sccrnsc01...
snip
empathy for his needs. How is it that you are going to eat your dairy
foods
and refuse it to your son, who is begging for your plate? I thought
about
that, and decided it was better we both had the same diet.

Actually, as the mom of an allergic 10-year-old, I'm SO glad I never let
my
daughter's diet dictate the rest of the family's or even, for the most
part,
my own.

That's fine when they're 10 and understand, but kinda sad for a 1yo.
Besides, having the same diet meant that it was easier for both of us. I
really could understand more what he was going through and what kind of diet
he needed. For instance, if I could stomach the soy ice cream and the rice
milk, then I figured life wasn't so bad. OTOH, goat's milk and cheese were
gross, IMO. No wonder DS wouldn't take it. Obviously, if he still had
dietary restrictions after weaning, I would have to start eating more like
normal, but I would limit the really good stuff when around him.

I know someone who's brittle type 1 diabetic. She's an adult. She knows
she can't have what others have and doesn't expect them to eat in another
room, but it makes her sad to see foods at the potlucks and not have a
single thing there she can eat. She's been to a restaurant where the chef
couldn't come up with anything she could have (don't know what cuisine he
cooked) and she almost burst into tears. I think it's just common courtesy
to keep the other people in mind when eating. When we have potlucks, I make
sure to bring a dish she (and everyone else) can have.

If DS couldn't have a standard cake, I would make a cake suitable for
everyone, including him, like I did for his B-Day party. It's not hard and
I don't think it makes them grow up thinking the whole world revolves around
them. It just teaches them to think of other people's feelings by your own
example.

In article ,
(Elana) wrote:

This isn't meant to sound bitchy, and if it does, I'm sorry...but what
will he drink then? He can't have cow's milk. I've only just gotten
mine, at 19 months, to accept Rice Dream.

Er, my DS (28mo) doesn't drink cow's milk atm. He drinks this amazing stuff
called water!

He isn't allergic, but he seems to prefer water, and as he eats lots of cheese
and yoghurt, we aren't bothering with ordinary milk.

--
Chookie -- Sydney, Australia
(Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply)

"...children should continue to be breastfed... for up to two years of age
or beyond." -- Innocenti Declaration, Florence, 1 August 1990

Chookie wrote:

He isn't allergic, but he seems to prefer water, and as he eats lots of cheese
and yoghurt, we aren't bothering with ordinary milk.

Right, but the OP's son is allergic to dairy, so no cheese or yogurt.
So I'm just wondering what they would drink to make up for not having
bm.

E