Both my girls are allergic to dairy. At 11 months, Matilda had tests for lactose intolerance which came back negative (see the main site for an article about lactose intolerance in babies). But at 3 yrs old I was at an allergist for Jovie and he took one look at Matilda and said she had a cow milk allergy, we had her tested and it came back as a severe allergy. Jovie wasn't severe, in fact he thinks she will grow out of it.

So, milk allergies I can tell you about... even intolerances. Generally, it shows as reflux when they are newbies, Matilda had silent reflux which burned the back of her oesophogus. Our GP recommended we go to formula rather than breast milk... funnily enough it didn't clear it up (seeing as the formula is milk based.... this is hindsight though).

It also can show up as increased amounts of tonsilitis and ear infections in the first 2 years. Increased runny poos. Matilda didn't do a formed poo until 6 months off dairy, or 3.5 yrs old. She also lost weight around 12 months old.... I didn't give her a cups of cows milk until she was 18 months because when I did she had more runny poo.

Jovie who has the mild allergy, had reflux and then I went off dairy and breastfed her. Her poos were normal, she had no more reflux, no tonsilitis and no ear infections. She does formed poos... and is fine.

Sounds to me like something you should investigate. Finger foods etc can be super easy.... just a shift of mindset & then you get used to it. I've been dairy free for 18 months now, and the rest of the family for 12 months. We are used to it now, and neither DH or I have dairy even though we can.