Dairy and Ear Infections

StoryOfGrace · 05-07-2012, 12:50 PM

So, DS has had chronic ear infections for a very very long time (even when he was exclusively breast fed). I always just assumed it was a hereditary issue that there was simply no way around, and that he was eventually destined for tubes(everyone in my family has had tons of e.i.).
Well, then I stumbled onto a post on FB about how eliminating dairy can solve that problem. I logged that info away for future reference.

A couple of weeks ago, DS was doing some of his telltale signs/symptoms of having an ear infection. We went in to see the Dr, and she said he had the beginnings of one. She wrote a Rx, but said that if I wanted to wait to fill it until things got worse, that that would be fine. I decided not to fill it as the poor child has been on so many antibiotics, it's sad!
I opted, instead, to try cutting dairy from his diet.
He normally has a glass of milk w/ breakfast, then cheese with one of his two lunches, and then there is usually some cheese in dinner. I cut the glass of milk and the cheese from lunch, but let him have any small amounts of cheese that might end up in his dinner.

We just went in for his two year well visit...no ear infection (

)!

DH isn't into natural health/medicine at all, so I didn't tell him what I was trying until I had some positive results. Once I told him, he thought it was great news, and fully supports continuing limiting DS's dairy intake...but then asked, "

How's he going to get his calcium? He needs his calcium."

I honestly hadn't thought about that...so, how do I make sure he's getting enough calcium without giving him dairy? Any options, suggestions, opinions are very welcome!

BlessedBlue · 05-07-2012, 12:57 PM

Dairy is actually a poor source of calcium - not much of it is bioavailable.

Calcium can be found in dark leafy greens and beans (the lighter the color of bean the better). Almond milk often has calcium added to it. Calcium supplements/vitamins, nuts.

FaithnPraise · 05-07-2012, 12:57 PM

So glad you were able to head that off!

My DD is dairy sensitive as well, the only time she's had an ear infection was when we forgot/weren't paying attention to how much dairy she was consuming

Here's a link to lots of non-dairy sources of calcium www.unh.edu/dining/nutrition/pdf/calcium-nondairy.pdf

ncsweetpea · 05-07-2012, 05:36 PM

My ENT gives a hearty nod to that link.

05-07-2012, 05:41 PM

Thank you for that link!!! DD is dairy intolerant too and now she is reducing her bf's I have been wondering what to give her for calcium. My health care nurse suggested soy, but I'm not sure if she reacts to that too, so this site has given me lots of other great suggestions

05-07-2012, 12:50 PM	#1
StoryOfGrace Rose Garden INFP...Don't mind me! Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 3,601	Dairy and Ear Infections So, DS has had chronic ear infections for a very very long time (even when he was exclusively breast fed). I always just assumed it was a hereditary issue that there was simply no way around, and that he was eventually destined for tubes(everyone in my family has had tons of e.i.). Well, then I stumbled onto a post on FB about how eliminating dairy can solve that problem. I logged that info away for future reference. A couple of weeks ago, DS was doing some of his telltale signs/symptoms of having an ear infection. We went in to see the Dr, and she said he had the beginnings of one. She wrote a Rx, but said that if I wanted to wait to fill it until things got worse, that that would be fine. I decided not to fill it as the poor child has been on so many antibiotics, it's sad! I opted, instead, to try cutting dairy from his diet. He normally has a glass of milk w/ breakfast, then cheese with one of his two lunches, and then there is usually some cheese in dinner. I cut the glass of milk and the cheese from lunch, but let him have any small amounts of cheese that might end up in his dinner. We just went in for his two year well visit...no ear infection ()! DH isn't into natural health/medicine at all, so I didn't tell him what I was trying until I had some positive results. Once I told him, he thought it was great news, and fully supports continuing limiting DS's dairy intake...but then asked, "How's he going to get his calcium? He needs his calcium." I honestly hadn't thought about that...so, how do I make sure he's getting enough calcium without giving him dairy? Any options, suggestions, opinions are very welcome! __________________ Story "Nobody knows what we're for only what we're against when we judge the wounded. What if we put down our signs, crossed over the lines, and loved like You did?" ~Casting Crowns

05-07-2012, 12:57 PM	#2
BlessedBlue Rose Garden Have you ever heard a fly roar? Listen carefully! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Walking with broken bootstraps... Posts: 7,152	Re: Dairy and Ear Infections Dairy is actually a poor source of calcium - not much of it is bioavailable. Calcium can be found in dark leafy greens and beans (the lighter the color of bean the better). Almond milk often has calcium added to it. Calcium supplements/vitamins, nuts. __________________ sister to Blue-EyedLady since forever wife to Trooper (Wounded Warrior) 3-98 Graphics designing sapphiremama to EBug 2-04, ABoo 2-06, and Goggle 8-09

05-07-2012, 12:57 PM	#3
FaithnPraise Rose Garden AKA Dr. Duh! Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Magic City by way of the Motor... Posts: 4,056	Re: Dairy and Ear Infections So glad you were able to head that off! My DD is dairy sensitive as well, the only time she's had an ear infection was when we forgot/weren't paying attention to how much dairy she was consuming Here's a link to lots of non-dairy sources of calcium www.unh.edu/dining/nutrition/pdf/calcium-nondairy.pdf __________________ Lafawnduh Met DH online - check! From Detroit - check! Loves a good mixtape - check! Has a cousin in the music industry - check! LJ - INTJ, DYT 1/4/2, Cyster Wife to Mac 6/03 ~ Mama to Faith 4/09 & Praise 7/11 Team Pee-Free Paws Assume positive intent - I'm INTJ Cheeky - yes! Snarky - no!

05-07-2012, 05:36 PM	#4
ncsweetpea Deactivated Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 6,374	Re: Dairy and Ear Infections My ENT gives a hearty nod to that link.

05-07-2012, 05:41 PM	#5
frostymm Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Dairy and Ear Infections Thank you for that link!!! DD is dairy intolerant too and now she is reducing her bf's I have been wondering what to give her for calcium. My health care nurse suggested soy, but I'm not sure if she reacts to that too, so this site has given me lots of other great suggestions

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