Weaning with a cows milk protein intolerance...HELP PLEASE!!!

[CrabbitArse]

LO is 8 months, started weaning at 5 months due to reflux, a mixture of purées and finger food. The doctor now suspects CMPI so we're going dairy free. As it turns out most of the food she ate contained milk so I'm struggling to give much variety. She loves fruit & toast, hates pouches & jars and most vegetables, I'm not a very good cook either so her diet is woefully limited.

Can anyone please help me figure out some easyish things to feed her.

[ChangeIsNear]

There are lots of things you can have on a dairy free diet, please don't panic! Can he have soya? If so, it is even easier!

A lot of breads are dairy free, so just check labels.

Most food can is dairy free and can be dairy free, just substitute koko milk or almond milk in place of normal milk. For cheese you can substitute with soya based cheese. You can buy soya yogurt too. And lots of soya based desserts.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

I'm CMPI and have been dairy free for about a year. I really struggled at first but once you get used to it, you'll find it much easier.

In the morning we're having these. Have you got a milk alternative? I mainly use almond milk, which is what I use in the pancakes, but you could try koko. I've seen lots of MNers recommending porridge made with koko.

If she likes toast, try her with eggy bread or toast with smooth nut butter (almonds are high in calcium) or tinned mashed sardines on toast. 50/50 bread is DF and has added calcium, as does ready brek.

There's some DF weaning recipeshere, here and here.

Don't worry either if she's not keen on certain foods either. At this age she should be getting her main nutrition from her milk and it really doesn't matter if she refuses a meal. Its best to assume she's not hungry and clear away.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

X-posted with change. If you are offering soya, about half of people who have problems with cows milk protein also have a problem with the soya protein. So, if Lo hasn't been tested its probably worth pushing for some proper allergy testing. Especially bearing in mins that reflux, CMPI and tongue tie and all present with the same symptoms

[CrabbitArse]

GP says no soya either as the proteins are similar to cows milk
Health visitor previously said no nuts until 3yo as DP has hay fever.

Never heard of koko so I'll google that now. Thanks so much for the suggestions & links. I've been given Aptamil Pepti by the doctor but I've not tried cooking with it yet bit scared

I know I shouldn't be panicking about it but she is my PFB and I felt like I was starting to get to grips with weaning and now the rug has been pulled out from under me again. I should be able to figure this out but my brain has ceased functioning after 8 months of sleep deprivation.

[CrabbitArse]

We are waiting for an appointment with a paediatrician but in the meantime was told to go dairy free & see if it helped.

[Iggly]

Get yourself some recipe books e.g. Annabel karmel and pick out dairy free recipes.

I stuck to meat and two veg type meals with my intolerant children. I won't lie it was a nightmare but we got through it. Stuff like chicken thighs (roasted), lamb meatballs, fish etc.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Not sure which bread is best for DF and SF but you might find it cheaper to find one in the main bread section rather than the "free from" section.

[quirkychick]

My dd1 (now 8, so some advice might be outdated) was cmp allergic. I think we used pitta bread as really only flour and water and also oatcakes. Lots of bread has dairy derivatives in. Also, found Annabel Karmel not helpful as full of dairy.

My dd1 ate eggs and fish so that helped. I think there are lots of dairy-free things around now that weren't then. I used to frequent the healthfood shops! We were also recommended soya free too. I cooked a lot of things with olive oil, but coconut oil would be good alternative.

She grew out of it by 2yo, if that's any consolation. But developed asthma at 3yo.

[quirkychick]

Also, dietician gave me a list of dairy and soya derivatives to look out for in ingredients lists.

I think we ate lots of things like: tinned fish and pitta pockets/oatcakes/ricecakes
scrambled eggs
casseroles blended up, made with olive oil
meat/fish and veg

Wagamamma's is great for eating out too. Maincourses all dairy free! Organix makes lots of finger foods which have some dairy-free stuff.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Don't know of this will be of any help OP and pizza express is good for eating out at too

[CrabbitArse]

Thank you all so much for the advice
I've ordered a couple of weaning books today, BLW & River Cottage, so hopefully I can get a bit more organised. Reassuring too to know I'm not the only one who struggled with it.

[Hamnvik]

Hello! My Ds is 16 months and is dairy, soya and nut free he also can't have tomatoes,carrots or any acidic fruit due to his reflux. It makes life interesting anyway!
I have yet to find a normal bread that he can eat so he has the genius stuff from the free from section. He eats a lot of eggs and ham/chicken/fish. Ellas kitchen plain porridge (blue packet) is fine, as is a couple of the plum porridge range. Rusks and organic biscuits are ok too. Erm trying to think what else, pure sunflower spread, warburtons crumpets, fish fingers!
It gets easier, it took me a while to get into the swing of things, I'm not a good cook either and although DS doesn't have a really exciting diet he does alright. Feel free to PM me if you want, it is stressful but you will get used to it.