Weaning a baby with a dairy allergy also known as a cows milk protein allergy can feel daunting. Luckily, there are plenty of delicious and nutritious dairy-free weaning recipes that are perfect for introducing your little one to a variety of flavours and textures.

In this blog, we’ll explore 12 dairy free weaning recipes for babies and toddlers, as well as providing helpful tips for successfully navigating the world of dairy-free weaning.

What is dairy free weaning?

Dairy free weaning is essentially the avoidance of all foods with cow’s milk such as milk, cheese, yoghurt and other dairy products. 

If you are starting out on the journey of weaning you can find out how to get started here. 

What is the difference between a cows milk allergy and a lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance

Lactose is a type of sugar commonly found in milk and some other dairy products. An intolerance to lactose is where the body is not able to digest the lactose because it has little or none of the enzyme lactase to digest it. This causes symptoms such as gas, bloating and diarrhea.. 

If your baby or child has a lactose intolerance then you should look for lactose free dairy products, which are similar to the nutrition of dairy products but also have the added enzyme (lactase) to help digest the lactose. 

Lactose intolerance is not the same as CMPA.

Cows milk protein allergy

Cows milk protein allergy or CMPA is one of the most common allergies that affects babies but most grow out of it by the age of 5 (1)

It typically starts when the baby is introduced to a cows milk formula or starts weaning and has an allergic reaction. 

CMPA is an abnormal immune system response to the cows milk protein in dairy products,  which the body sees as a threat and causes an allergic reaction.  

Nutrition and what to look out for in dairy free diet

There are some key nutrients that are found in dairy products that are not in dairy free alternatives or maybe in smaller amounts. You should be aware of the differences and why it is important to look for fortified dairy free alternatives. 

Dairy products contain these nutrients:

• Calcium
• Protein
• phosphorus
• potassium
• iodine
• riboflavin and pantothenic acid 
• vitamin B12 (2)

What can I feed my dairy free baby?

You can’t give them products containing cows or other animal milks, so this includes milk, yoghurt, cheese, butter, ice cream, cream and any other product containing cows or animal milk. 

You can ONLY give them fortified dairy free alternatives. It is important to ensure they are fortified with calcium to make sure your baby is getting adequate calcium. Often organic varieties are not fortified, so it is wise to check the label first. 

Dairy free alternatives are typically made from plants such as soya, coconut or oats. If you are not sure which is the best option for your baby or toddler then it is best to check with a health professional. 

For healthier options, look for lower fat and lower sugar brands.

For further information on dairy free products you might like to check out my guide: calcium and dairy free diets guide.

Tips for dairy free weaning

Consult with a pediatrician or nutritionist –

If you are not sure whether your baby has a cow’s milk allergy then consult a registered Dietitian, pediatrician to get a test done. Or if you have a known allergy then they will ensure your child is getting adequate nutrition from a dairy free diet. 

Read labels carefully The following foods and ingredients can contain cows milk protein so it is important to read the labels carefully:

• Yoghurts including fromage frais
• All types of cream including creme fraiche, sour cream, thick cream, whipped etc
• Ice cream
• Cheeses including all types of animal cheeses such as goats and sheep cheese.  Also avoid cheese powder
• Cows milk both dried, UHT and fresh including buttermilk, milkshakes and flavoured milks
• Butter including ghee, margarine and butter oil
• Whey, hydrolysed whey powder, whey syrup sweetener
• Casein (curds), caseinates, hydrolysed casein, calcium caseinate, sodium caseinate

Introduce new foods slowly and safely- Be careful about the cross contamination of foods as some foods will not have obvious dairy ingredients. Also if you have dairy foods available to other members of your household then be careful not to cross contaminate during preparation or cooking. 

Try different dairy free alternatives – to find which brands and types your child prefers. There are lots more to choose from these days so it is worth experimenting. 

Dairy free weaning recipes for babies (6-12 months) 

Some of these recipes contain dairy but I have added where you can substitute and use a dairy free alternative. 

Breakfast

• Waffles for baby – substitute the cows milk for a fortified dairy free milk alternative

Lunch & dinner

• Guacamole with pitta strips – remove the sour cream or creme friache
• Sun dried tomato and chickpea dip

• Broccoli puree
• Carrot puree
• Apple puree

Dairy free weaning recipes for toddlers (1-3 years) 

• Tuna parcels
• Chickpea and carrot burgers
• Chocolate orange bliss balls
• Dairy free pancakes
• Fruit caterpillars
• Apple sauce buns – these are also egg free and contain no added sugar

Other good dairy free recipes can be found at BBC good food

https://www.allergyuk.org/resources/adult-cows-milk-allergy/