Alternative to cows milk?

[Reet]

My DD will be 3 in April, her last 2 molars are coming through and they are the only teeth shes had to deal with without having the comfort of breastfeeding, so Ive been giving her warm cups of cows milk to help her get back to sleep at night. Last night she woke every 2 hours though!!! I dont give her full cups of milk but when shes waking that often and asking for milk I feel like shes drinking way too much. It cant be good for her teeth (they are perfect so far though) and I just dont really like that shes having so much dairy! I should probably be tackling her night waking but she was doing pretty good up until a couple weeks ago so Im hoping it is just her teeth bothering her and by the time my next baby is born in 8 weeks shes sleeping well again... or maybe thats wishful thinking?!

So my question is, to try and cut out so much dairy what is a good alternative? Does anyone recommend almond or rice milk or something along those lines? Does one have more goodness in it then the other?? Would love to know what other people use and why?? Im actually really looking forward to breastfeeding again so I can express milk for my DD, Im really hoping she will drink it!!

Thanks! x

[HotI]

i just offered water overnight when dd and ds stopped bfing overnight. dd sometimes had cow milk before bed.

ds gets eczema and tummy upsets from dairy, and i tried almond and other milks, but he was happiest just with water.

[Reet]

I really wish I had done that once DD had weaned but she wasnt eating much so I was worried she would be hungry... she still doesnt eat much though because of all the milk so its a vicious cycle! I reckon she would crack it now if I tried giving her just water... maybe I'll just water down her milk heaps to start with... that or toughen up a little!

[Ladylove]

What's wrong with so much dairy?

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

We use goat milk and soy chocolate milk. But that's cos Liebs has problems with cow milk.

We only give water at night to look after the teeth.

[Amaunet]

I'd only do water at night (once teeth are cleaned) - otherwise teeth problems will be next. My boys are real milk lovers too but I also found it affected diet so they only get it morning with breakfast and after they eat half of their dinner. Water the rest of the time.

[Reet]

Ladylove- I actually dont believe we should be drinking cows milk, I love it so try not to listen to much research on it though! It makes the body acidic which isnt good and amongst a bunch of other things can damage the kidneys etc. Like I said though, I dont read up on too much about it so dont know all the ins and outs but the stuff I have read has made me not want DD having too much. Everything in moderation is ok but its getting a bit beyond that now for us!

[Eenee]

I give kids water overnight when they stopped bf overnight and give rice milk and breastfeed during the day.

[HotI]

a friend watered down the cow milk til it was basically slightly white water.

[onthefly]

I would suggest avoiding the habit of milk overnight, also. But there are lots of cow's milk alternatives during the day. They certainly can fill up on milk, and it's not really necessary in the diet anyway, if they're eating a range of other things.

[Ladylove]

Interesting. DD has a ridiculous obsession with milk at the moment and I've been watering it down but only because it is so hot here and she has been refusing all liquids except milk (though she likes slightly dilute coconut water and smoothies, hence my recent thread re: healthy smoothies).

[Reet]

Ok, so maybe instead I tackle the milk at night thing.. youve convinced me! Ive been dreading the tears that are going to come with it but I guess better to do it now before baby comes.