Bringing Back Dairy

For the past seven weeks, we have removed dairy from Henry's diet. We wanted to test whether it could help clear up the fluid in his ears and reduce the chance that he would continue to get ear infections. In the meantime, Henry has been evaluated by two Ear, Nose & Throat specialists and had a series of treatments by an osteopath.

Henry is in great health, except for the ongoing fluid in his ears.

Last week, we visited Henry's pediatrician for his 18-month check-up. Henry is meeting all milestones and his health is generally thriving. Unfortunately, his ears are still completely blocked with fluid. While we are not excited about this outcome, Daddy and I feel like we have done what we can with alternative low-invasive treatment options. Henry is scheduled for ear tube surgery tomorrow morning.

Making non-dairy meals for our family was generally easy and didn't require many sacrifices. For the most part, our whole family participated, but Daddy and I did splurge on ice cream a few times when Henry wasn't around.

Henry eats a non-dairy breakfast with oatmeal and fruit.

During our dairy-free experiment, I learned that some dairy alternatives are better replacements than others. Henry was not as enthusiastic about drinking coconut, hemp or almond milk with his meals. Even though it tastes nothing like regular yogurt, Henry did like coconut milk yogurt on his breakfast pancakes. We also had good luck making quiche and popsicles with almond milk.

Henry devours a non-dairy orange creamsicle pop.

Daddy has sincerely missed eating pizza over the past 2 months so later this week we are planning to have homemade pizza with plenty of cheese.

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