Getting Started with Milk-Free Weaning
Following a milk-free diet can be daunting, especially if you are not familiar with milk alternatives. Most milk alternatives are available in supermarkets and health stores, including:
- Soya milk (sweetened/unsweetened, fresh or long life)
- Oat milk
- Coconut milk
- Nut milks (hazelnut, almond, cashew nut)
Supermarkets often have their own milk alternatives. Your baby’s dietitian will advise which options are best.
Note: Lactose-free milks are NOT suitable as they still contain cow’s milk protein. Other mammal milks (goat, buffalo, sheep) are also NOT recommended. Nut milks are not the first choice due to possible reactions. Rice milk is not suitable for children under 4.5 years old.
Milk-Free Weaning Video
How to Add Milk Alternatives to Your Baby’s Diet
From 6 months, you can add milk substitutes to your baby’s food (e.g., breakfast cereals, porridge, white sauce, puddings). Breast milk or specialist formula should remain the main drink until 1 year. After 1 year, you can offer shop-bought milk substitutes as a main drink.
Note: Organic plant-based milks/products are not fortified with calcium, vitamin D, iodine, or B vitamins.
Useful Resources
Product Suggestions
Sorbet
- Mango gelato
- Supermarket own-brand sorbets (check ingredients for suitability)
Cheese (Dairy-Free Alternatives)
- Supermarket own-brand free-from cheeses (e.g. soya or coconut-based)
- Dairy-free cheese slices, blocks, and soft cheese
- Vegan smoky cheese
- Dairy-free cheese flavour powder
- Plant-based cheese options (including snack-size portions)
Biscuits and Pastries
- Bourbon biscuits
- Rich tea fingers
- Party ring-style biscuits
- Chocolate sandwich biscuits (avoid peanut variants)
- Crunchy cereal bars (e.g. oats and honey, maple syrup)
- Plain and cinnamon & raisin bagels
- Gluten-free chocolate brownie slices
- Fruit pies (e.g. apple and blackcurrant – not plain apple)
- Meringues (serve with oat/soya cream and fruit or enjoy alone)
- Ready-to-bake cinnamon swirls, puff pastry, and shortcrust pastry
Breakfast Cereals
- Baby rice and fruit porridges
- Multigrain mini cereal puffs
- Multigrain fruit muesli
- Oats, apple and plum muesli
- Wheat biscuits, oat biscuits, rice cereals, corn flakes, porridge oats
Please note: We do not endorse any particular brands or products.
Nutritional Content of Milk Substitutes
Fortified Alternatives
- Choose milk, yoghurt, and custard alternatives that are fortified with calcium (aim for 120mg per 100ml).
- Avoid organic versions, as they typically do not contain added calcium.
Nutritional Notes
- Milk-free diets may be lower in calories and fat compared to full-fat cow’s milk.
- For higher calorie milk alternatives, look for options labelled as:
- “Whole” or “Barista” style
- “1+” toddler formulas
- “Super” enriched varieties
For Children Under 2 Years
Children under two need extra fat to support growth. You can add calories by:
- Using olive, vegetable, or rapeseed oil in cooking
- Spreading milk-free alternatives generously on bread, potatoes, and vegetables
- Adding soya, oat, or coconut cream to low-calorie milk alternatives from one year of age
If your baby is not gaining enough weight, contact your dietitian.
Milk-Free Alternative Drinks
- Soya milk (sweetened/unsweetened, fresh or long life)
- Oat milk
- Coconut milk
- Nut milks (hazelnut, almond, cashew nut)
Spreads
- Dairy-free sunflower-based spreads
- Baking blocks suitable for dairy-free diets
- Sunflower and olive oil-based spreads
- Supermarket own-brand dairy-free spreads
- Margarine options that are free from milk and soya
- Vegan spreadables available from various retailers
Yoghurt
- Soya yoghurt
- Oat yoghurt
- Coconut yoghurt
Custard and Puddings
- Soya and oat-based vanilla custards
- Dairy-free dessert pots and puddings (e.g. coconut-based, fruit-based)
- Deluxe-style plant-based desserts (available online)
- Dessert pouches (check ingredients for suitability)
- See home-made custard recipe above for a tailored alternative
Easy Custard Recipe
Ingredients:
- 225ml dairy-free milk or own formula
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ tablespoons cornflour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Method:
- Heat 200ml of dairy-free milk and vanilla extract in a saucepan.
- In a mug, make a paste with 25ml dairy-free milk, cornflour, and sugar.
- Bring the milk almost to the boil.
- Reduce the heat, pour in the cornflour mix, and stir continuously until it thickens.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool before serving.
Store any leftover custard in the fridge and use within 24 hours.
Alternatively, you can use original custard powder (not instant, as it contains milk) instead of cornflour and vanilla.
Creams
- Soya single cream
- Single cream and creamy oat fraiche
Ice-Cream
- Soya-based custard-style frozen desserts
- Oat-based vanilla frozen desserts
- Plant-based dessert pots and puddings (e.g. coconut-based, fruit-based)
- Non-dairy ice creams available in various flavours and formats
Important Notes
- Always check ingredient lists, especially for ready-made foods (baby jars, tinned foods, cold meats, crumb-coated fish/chicken).
- Allergens should be listed in bold.
- ‘May contain’ warnings indicate possible accidental contamination.
- Always check medicines and supplements with your pharmacist to ensure they do not contain milk.