Soymilk, anyone?

[jnrrt]

Okay, I realize this is totally random, but does anyone here have their kids on soymilk? We just switched our son since he's been getting ear infections even with tubes, and I heard that could help. I've also been weaning him, and he won't drink milk, maybe an ounce a day. Well, surprisingly, he will drink soymilk, still not a ton, but maybe half a cup or a cup a day, which is an improvement. We've never had this issue; my daughters drink only milk and water, and they've never had a problem with it.

So two questions: how much milk is actually necessary? Do I worry if he really isn't drinking nearly as much as when he was nursing (he's 13 months)?

And, how do you know if soymilk has gone bad? We've never used it, so I have no idea.

I realize this is totally not Disney, but that's what a community board is for, right? :)

[PoohsPal]

I know that soy milk lasts a loooong time. Like a month or so. Don't know how long to go bad, but mine has a date on it. I had Nov. 8 dated soy milk today and it was fine. If he drinks 1/2 cup to a cup a day, it will not go bad before expiration.

Can't help you with how much they need. Does it have as much calcium as milk?

[lllovell]

As long as he gets calcium from other sources, there is actually no real reason for him to need milk at all. (I am sure you have heard the "human's are the only animal that drinks another animal's milk thing from people that don't believe in drinking milk).

Will he eat yogurt? Cheese? Pudding? Ice cream? (lol like my choices? I can't STAND milk personally and never drink it, but I do eat plenty of other calcium options) There are lots of things you can use to make sure he gets enough calcium including Iron Kids bread which has the same calcium as a glass of milk. Some cereals are fortified, etc.

I have never had any experience with Soy, so can't help you there.

Laura

[jnrrt]

The problem is that he won't eat anything. Seriously, he'd live on Cheerios and water if I'd let him. He will eat a bit of yogurt if he's feeling generous, but no other dairy - it's like he has an aversion. And he's 13 months old and just got his first tooth, so he really can't eat much, and I'm getting pretty aggravated trying to come up with things he can and will eat.

What's very strange is that we are very into food, and all kinds of ethnic foods. And since my girls are around it a lot, the are very adventurous eaters for children. One of my favorite stories about my younger daughter was when she asked for roasted red pepper hummus for lunch, and I told her it would be a while since I had to make it. I got on the phone, and she got impatient and yelled, "Mommy! Where is my hummus!?!" right into the phone. She was 3. My friend was dying laughing because it sounded so funny in her little voice (although we don't condone that behavior, lol!). So I know that kids can be taught to like lots of things, and both my daughters do, but he's making me nuts. They were never picky like this, so I do wonder if it's some kind of allergy.

[lllovell]

Does make you wonder if his body is saying no.

I have never been a big supporter of supplement drinks but his case sounds like he might really benefit from Ensure for Kids or something similar to make sure he gets nutrients. I am sure he will come around at some point, but as a mom, I can understand your concern. Then again, I remember thinking one of mine was going to turn into a carb because that was all he would eat! He got over it and eats just about anything these days at 3.

Does your doc have any suggestions?

[jnrrt]

That's a thought. I never thought of a supplement.

At his last appointment, he was sick, so we mostly talked about that rather than the "is he doing everything he should" kinds of things. I'll be in tomorrow with my older daughter, so I'll ask the doc then. I was also thinking that it was hard to feed him because of the teeth thing, but now I think it's more than that. But seriously, he needs to get teeth now. This is getting silly. It was great when I was nursing all the time, but there's only so much you can puree.

[withdisneyspirit]

When my DS13 was a baby, he was lactose intolerant. When he weaned, I switched him to goats milk and he really liked it. I know they still sell the brand we used in the milk section. Can't remember the name right now.

Some babies are slow to get teeth and some are very slow to lose baby teeth when they are kids. Does he not like warm cereals made with milk, maybe mix in a little fruit? My older DS went straight from my milk to food; he thought baby food was poison :thumbsway

Good luck with your little one :goodvibes

[jnrrt]

Thanks, Lisa. He's actually eating a little more now, which is making me feel better. But he won't go near a vegetable of any kind, which is kind of funny since he would eat lots of different vegetables in baby food form a month or so ago. Now he will not eat them in any form, unfortunately.

But at least I'm getting some food in him. And no, he's really avoiding anything that might possibly be baby food (he wants to eat like us, now, except he doesn't want to eat what we're eating, the stinker!), so warm cereals are out - he thinks I'm tricking him. But now he will eat cold cereal like rice krispies with soy milk, so we've been doing a lot of that and bananas.

[lllovell]

Just hang in there! Their little bodies have a way of taking care of what they need at times, even when we think they should be eating differently! (I know you know this....but just keep reminding yourself :) )

Did you get a chance to ask your doc what they thought?

[jnrrt]

I talked to the doctor, and she's not too worried yet. She does agree that he's being pretty tough, though. She says my goal is about a cup and a half of milk, which isn't as much as I was thinking I had to get into him, so that's not as daunting. She also said that if I was nursing, and drinking dairy at the time, it's pretty unlikely that he'd have an allergy now. But she also said soy milk is fine if he likes it better, or it agrees with him better. So, just keep trying everything, and check back in a couple of weeks.

[lenshanem]

My youngest is on her second set of tubes. I kept thinking she was allergic to milk so I insisted they test her and sure enough she had a very mild allergy to it. I switched her to soymilk. She wouldn't drink the plain kind, so I let her drink the chocolate variety. She has been drinking this for a couple years now. Were the ear infections worse cause of the milk? I dunno, but she likes the chocolate soymilk so why switch back?

On a similar note, the SILK brand actually makes chocolate flavor little to go boxes with straws (like juice boxes) and I've been buying those when we go to WDW. They do not have to be refrigerated! You can also buy the larger size and pack them, but once they are opened you'll need to put them in the fridge. My local Kroger has all this in the health food section.

Places like Chef Mickey's etc. have always been more than happy to get her chocolate soymilk, too! Just ask! I've asked the server, but many times I call ahead cause my oldest has a peanut/tree nut allergy, too.

Good luck!

[lllovell]

My kids drink those soy milk boxed at their grandparent's and they drink regular milk at home and don't ever gripe about them at their grandparent's, so they must be pretty good! I had forgotten they are soy.

Great info about asking for and getting soy at Disney Shan - thanks :)

You know Jnrrt, we sure worry more than the doctors do typically huh? In some cases, we are right though, so its good to hear you are concerned. Here's hoping he decided to start gumming some good foods soon (and that he gets teeth too!)

Laura

[jnrrt]

You know what I like about this place? You all care enough to even respond to threads titled things like "soymilk, anyone?". Seriously, thanks for the answers and support.

Shan, I really appreciate the info about the little boxes. I didn't see them, but I wasn't looking either, and it just occurred to me today when we were going to my parents that it was going to be a major pain to pack soy milk for outings and trips. Do they make regular too, or just chocolate? And do you know how to tell if it's gone bad? Does it smell or something?

BTW, did you notice an improvement in her ear infections?

Laura, you are right about the worrying. My problem is I never seem to worry about the right things. I call and it's nothing, so I feel stupid, and the next time I don't call and I really should have. I miscarried two years ago, it was tubal, I didn't know or want to complain or bug the doctor at night, and the symptoms didn't seem to be pregnancy related, so I wouldn't let my dh call. We ended up in the hospital the next morning, and I almost bled out. They told me that I should not have made it, it was a fluke. Scared the heck out of me, especially since I had two other little ones, so now I call all the time, even if I feel stupid. Plus, my dh doesn't listen to me anymore when I tell him we don't need to call.

Anyway, he has been eating more, even if we can't get a veggie into him to save our lives. I even peeled grapes for him (how deperate am I?) since he has no teeth, but he would have nothing to do with them. My hubby ate them and was joking about how this is the life, wife peels the grapes, etc. I whacked him.

[lllovell]

lol

Good for your hubby - on both the not listening to you and call the doctor anyway and for his sense of humor!!!

The little boxes I am thinking of come in 3 varieties - chocolate, 2% and whole....are these the ones you are thinking of Shan?

:hug: Mom's (and women in general) are the worst about taking care of OURSELVES! Glad they were able to help you when you needed it.

[lenshanem]

I'm pretty sure they come in plain flavor, too. They are just like the juice boxes you get with the little straw attached. They have an expiration date on them and are a one time deal. I guess you could refrigerate them, but I'd just toss them out. They are single serving, like maybe 8 ounces?

The bigger boxes have to be refrigerated after they are opened.(They'll also have an expiration date on them.) I think they were 32 ounces? You'd get about 4 sippy cups out of them so I don't think you'd have to worry about them going bad too fast. The ones I bought had a close down spout. There were actually different brands of this unlike the little individual boxes.

I'm not sure about the ear infections getting better since she had tubes, but her behavior is better. She gets whacky when on milk.

[PoohsPal]

:grouphug: to all you worrying moms. I don't know how you do it. I go bonkers worrying baout my nieces and nephews.

[jnrrt]

I'm not sure about the ear infections getting better since she had tubes, but her behavior is better. She gets whacky when on milk.

That's interesting! I've never heard of milk affecting behavior - is that related to her allergy?

And thanks, Carrie. I do worry! Sometimes I think parents can drive themselves nuts, but I know I'm not the only one, so that helps.

[lllovell]

That's interesting! I've never heard of milk affecting behavior - is that related to her allergy?

And thanks, Carrie. I do worry! Sometimes I think parents can drive themselves nuts, but I know I'm not the only one, so that helps.

Many would say we are nuts simply for BEING parents, so worrying until we are crazy just seems natural to me :) hehe

I wonder if its the allergy itself that makes her daughter's behavior change or the symptoms. My 3 year old has allergies to all sorts of things - dogs, cats, grass, mold, etc and when he has a flair up (or his allergies turn into a sinus infection) his behavior changes dramatically. He is a happy go lucky child who becomes this huge crying grump. Its awful! He is on medications which have helped SO much, but still the seasonal stuff can kick our butts. I think we are going to get a fake tree this year for Christmas too just to not take the chance that he will react or a live one. I love live trees - but I will cope if he feels good during the holidays!

Laura

[PoohsPal]

I love live trees - but I will cope if he feels good during the holidays!

Laura

That can make a big difference Laura! DB and I were very sad to get a fake tree, but the compromise was that we could put it up day after Thanksgiving. It really did help with our mold allergies (sorry to say). However, I'm ok with a real one now, but I'm on allergy meds year-round anyway and our trees are very fresh (i.e, cur from teh back yard.).

Hope the fake tree helps!

[jnrrt]

From soymilk to fake Christmas trees, yup, this is your one-stop thread all right! LOL.

But, I will concur. We have a fake tree. I like the live ones, but we always go out of town right after Christmas, and dismantling a tree on Christmas day is depressing. But, I get paranoid about leaving it up when we're gone because of fire woes. So, heigh ho, a fake tree we did go. And now we always put it up on Sunday after Thanksgiving, so that's a nice tradition, and we get to enjoy the tree longer.

[lenshanem]

Yep, my little one goes absolutely bonkers when she has been drinking straight up milk. My oldest is ADHD and I wouldn't be surprised if my youngest is, too. I think the milk aggravates it? I dunno, but I see a big difference.

You could say I have high maintenance kids. :hyper:

[withdisneyspirit]

Yep, my little one goes absolutely bonkers when she has been drinking straight up milk. My oldest is ADHD and I wouldn't be surprised if my youngest is, too. I think the milk aggravates it? I dunno, but I see a big difference.

You could say I have high maintenance kids. :hyper:

I can relate to this :beaniepro Both my DS 13 and 16 are ADHD. I would not be surprised if milk aggravates it. My younger son just loves milk; he would never give it up at this point :Pokepoke:

I bet most kids are high maintenance nowadays :hammer:

[lllovell]

wow! This is turning into a great informative thread!

Hubby has really BADDDDDDD ADD (still has the hyper part but as an adult it has turned into what I call "panic" mode - when it happens, he runs around trying to do 8,000 things at once and not one of them gets done, but by gosh, he is moving! ) and I am really watching the boys. I am quite concerned about my youngest and I remember a time when I felt the same way about the older one and yet he seems to have outgrown the things I am concerned about. However, with Richard, I just see so much there that are "symptoms". Hard to tell when they are so young. (he even has the allergy/asthma thing which is apparently typical of an ADDer - not a symptom, but apparently many if not most ADD children have asthma/allergy issues.)

Anyway, I had already started to limit his milk because of his allergies. He isn't allergic to it, but I have always heard that milk is a congestion builder so we have cut him WAY back. Maybe its time for us to try soy while they are still too young to see to care.

You never know what will help - and lets face it, sometimes doctors think mothers/fathers are NUTS when we insist that certain things work - and yet we KNOW they work. So thanks for sharing info like this!

Laura

[PoohsPal]

Just thinking out loud..... Milk has a lot of carbs and sugar has been known to cause ADD-like symptoms in some. Possible connection due to the amount of carbs in milk?

[lenshanem]

Yep. Oldest has peanut/tree nut allergy, asthma, ADHD and a visual spatial LD.

Youngest so far has a mild allergy to milk and is on her second set of tubes. I'm almost positive she has ADHD, too. She actually makes my oldest seem calm!

I really think alot of this is tied in together - allergies, behavior, etc. I also think alot of this is hereditary - at least in our family.

[jnrrt]

I agree with you. My son't ears were so bad that his behavior was completely affected, and it made sense. I could tell he wanted to be a laid-back kid, and he was a real sweetie, but only with me. He wouldn't go to anyone else, cried a lot, and was extremely high maintenance. But somehow I knew that wasn't his personality.

When we figured out how bad his ears were, it all made sense. He just felt yucky and his ears hurt, and he wanted mom, and wouldn't self-console because he was hurting. He got tubes right before our trip to WDW with the whole family and every single person on the trip commented about how his personality had changed, he was so friendly and happy, and content. I would tell them that his personality hadn't changed, he just felt better.

This has to be the case with allergies too. If the kids don't feel good, they're not going to behave well. And if it's a mild allergy, maybe they've never felt quite right, but it seems normal to them. My oldest was borderline hearing impared for years, and we never knew because she spoke so well, we never checked. When we finally did, and she got tubes, she was shocked at how the world sounded - it was very loud and weird to her. Of course, she was hearing normally, but since she never had before, it was strange to her. I think this has to be the same idea with the allergies, and that's why I'm wondering if my son has a mild milk allergy that could also be contributing to some of his ear woes.

Wow, that was long. Sorry to go off like that!

[withdisneyspirit]

I really think alot of this is tied in together - allergies, behavior, etc. I also think alot of this is hereditary - at least in our family.

I know the hereditary part is true, Shan!! In my family tree, we have my Dad and myself, both diagnosed with ADD at least. Both my boys have ADHD. As they grow older, they are so much more able to contain themselves when necessary and that is a relief :goodvibes :beaniepro

I also wanted to add that I am highly aware of my ADD symptoms. I don't like boring tasks unless they are quickly accomplished. I start many things at the same time and have trouble following through and I am an accomplished clutterer :hammer: :Pokepoke: