There are now many plant-based alternatives or beverages to cow’s milk available in supermarkets. These include options made from oat, pea, coconut, quinoa, rice, and tree nuts like almond, cashew, and hazelnut.
For babies with cow’s milk allergy, current guidance is to continue a hypoallergenic formula as the main drink until around 1 year of age. After this, you can usually transition to a plant-based milk if your child is eating a good variety of foods and growing well.
From around 6 months, small amounts of plant-based milks can be used in cooking or mixed into cereals, as long as there are no concerns about growth. It’s important to choose products that are fortified with calcium. At At Carina Venter Allergy RD LLC, we can help you select the best option based on your child’s allergies and overall diet.
If your child is still relying on hypoallergenic formula but not drinking enough, it can be helpful to add the formula into foods like cereals or purees rather than switching too early to plant-based milks.
Rice milk should not be used as a main drink for young children due to concerns about arsenic levels. Rice hydrolysate formula is available in some countries (not the US) and can be used in babies and children.
When using plant-based milks, it’s important to make sure your child is still getting enough energy, protein, calcium and vitamin D. We will guide you through this to ensure your child’s diet remains balanced and supports healthy growth. We will choose the most appropriate beverage to support your baby’s growth and development.
