"best " alternative to dairy milk for young children

[anomaly13]

We aren't dairy free, my kids eat yogurt at least once everyday often more then that, but I do prefer to limit dairy to that with lots of probiotics. We have been doing soymilk which I realize is not the best option, some may not even consider it an option. Was thinking of going to full fat coconut milk from a can, we do use this in smoothies almost daily.

What's you advice? What are you using?

[Ruthla]

Ideally, very young children would be getting breastmilk, and then when they self-wean, they're big enough to not "need" milk anymore.

I've been following the blood type diet, and Dr. D'Adamo has different recomendations for milks for different blood types. Type B kids (and adults) can have all dairy products without reservation, so for a B child I'd buy organic milk (ideally raw milk, if available and within your budget.) As and ABs can safely have soymilk. Os shouldn't have soy or dairy, but almond or rice milk is fine.

What exactly do you need a *milk* for? I use rice or homemade almond milk (almond butter plus water) for smoothies. I don't really cook with milk at all- recipes calling for milk usually get made with water, or sometimes rice milk. The only one who really eats cereal with milk is my Type B son.

[babygirlie]

My daughter has B blood and can't do dairy. I'm an A and would never do soy due to the hormones and thyroid attacking it does.

[Drummer's Wife]

I don't know what's the best milk for humans (besides breastmilk, of course) but we have been trying Almond milk lately - like to add to cooking or baking.

[Alyantavid]

My youngest is dairy free and he drinks rice milk mostly. He has about a cup a day of it and drinks water the rest of the time.

For cooking, I use rice or almond.

[blessedwithboys]

Originally Posted by anomaly13

We aren't dairy free, my kids eat yogurt at least once everyday often more then that, but I do prefer to limit dairy to that with lots of probiotics. We have been doing soymilk which I realize is not the best option, some may not even consider it an option. Was thinking of going to full fat coconut milk from a can, we do use this in smoothies almost daily.

What's you advice? What are you using?

Soymilk is not an option for use to to phytoestrogen.

Raw cow milk is a completely different food than pastuerized cow milk.

If you are trying to limit cow milk and can't get/can't afford/don't trust raw milk, go for goat milk.

And if all you want is a probiotic food, you can try fermented fruits and veggies.

[anomaly13]

So the kids in question are off the breast. I would like to have something other then water to offer my kids to drink, juice is a very rare watered down treat. they do drink a lot of water during the day and maybe 1 cup milk.

I have tried to give them goat's milk but they don't really like it.

I grew up having to drink with dinner, as per my parents request and I guess that notions has stuck. but are you saying that after the breast they don't need milk.

I think we will try plain almond or rice milk when I need it for cooking/baking, and use coconut milk for smoothies. Maybe I will give them herbal teas with no caffeine.

[damona]

i alternate using rice, almond, hemp, coconut and soy with my dairy free kids. sometimes i get powdered dari-free and use that. i don't have a regular rotation, just whatever i have coupons for or is on sale or something. once in awhile they get goats milk. my other kids drink cows milk.

[babygrant]

My 4 year old and I do almond milk. And my 6 year old and husband do 1% cows milk.

[annethcz]

We don't drink much milk. I buy a gallon every now and again, but not often. My kids enjoy dairy products (cheese, yogurt), but I don't feel any need to push milk or milk alternative drinks. They drink water 90% of the time; it's normal to them and they don't feel like they're missing out on anything. We don't drink juice at home either. They have the occasional juice, soda, or milk when they're away from home.