This week I had planned to start the
Stuntman on a journey up the ‘milk ladder’. Despite this post's heading, we didn’t actually fall off –
we never even made it onto the first rung.
For those not up with the lingo, the milk
ladder is a step by step process that aims to desensitise sensitive little
tummies that are intolerant to the proteins found in milk. There are specific
recipes that go along with each step, with the amount of dairy increasing and
the amount of cooking decreasing as you progress. Baked goods that contain
dairy are more easily digested than raw dairy products, and separated milk
solids (such as those used in flavouring) are often harder on the tummy than
straight dairy. The milk ladder was developed by allergy specialists taking all
of these factors into account, and has been proven to be a very effective way
to reintroduce dairy into an intolerant little one’s diet.
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| The basic 'milk ladder' |
We worked with a paediatric dietician to
develop a specific plan for the Stuntman, incorporating his likes and dislikes,
as well as my style of cooking. The plan
was to start on the first rung this week, moving up the ladder over the
holidays, with the end goal of him being able to tolerate some dairy in time
for him to start kindy early next year. So I had menu-planned, shopped and scheduled my baking days - I was feeling pumped, and
ready for the challenge (if you’ll pardon the pun).
