MR - that doesn't sound right at all.

for one - why is there so much emphasis on kids getting three serves of dairy a day if it's not necessary. whether it's delivered via a bottle or in a cup, the question still remains - how does BW ensure that Sam is getting the nutrients he needs? i'm pretty sure there wouldn't be the push for having dairy if it wasn't important for the overall health of children (and adults for that matter!). Sam is not quite one year old - up until now, as much as he's been having solids, the mantra of "food is fun until they're one" has still applied - well, i'm guessing - i'm not his mum! but, is it really appropriate to now expect a toddler to cease drinking milk and get all their nutrition from food? is it only ok for BF babies to get their nutrition from milk, but FF babies are expected to get it all from food? if Sam has a lactose intolerance or another protein intolerance, how is he to get the calcium etc that dairy carries

i am in no way trying to start a BF/FF debate - i just want to know HOW it differs. How is it that the WHO recommends babies continue to have BM until at least two years, and yet it's ok for FF to cease all milk at age one? if you can explain, i'd really appreciate it.

back on the topic of what to do for Sam - BW, i know you've had issues with yogurt coming straight back up in the past, and given it sounds like Sam is not keen on cheese, i agree with the other ladies in trying him on your milk first. if he doesn't react, it would be worth buying the full cream version. if he does, it would suggest that lactose isn't the problem, and it's perhaps another protein in the milk causing him issues.

is it possible to get a smaller bottle of the full fat lactose free stuff to try? is normal powdered milk an option? (i know mum told me that i was on powdered milk for a looooong time cos i reacted to full cream milk badly - my dad still does!)

if sam is happy to eat his three meals and snacks, and still wants milk, i wouldn't deny him any. i know of a lot of children that refuse to drink milk at a young age as they want to be drinking juice or cordial - i personally would prefer to have my kidlets drink milk if possible.

hope you can come to a result that works for you all. i know the cost of formula can be almost prohibitively expensive - if you can find something that reduces that expense and agrees with Sam's stomach, it would be a great relief both emotionally, physically and financially...