~*~*MSPI Moms Weekly Check-In*~*~ 4/14

[Deleted User]

~*~*MSPI Moms Weekly Check-In*~*~

Welcome! This is a check-in for moms who are/were on a dairy free and/or soy free diet due to their LO's intolerance. The check-ins will be posted every Monday morning on the Breastfeeding board and XP'd to the Food Allergy board. If you'd like to join the group, just post an intro here and dive in! To check out the archive of our previous check-ins, please see the MSPI Moms Blog (www.mspimoms.blogspot.com).

1. How are you doing? How is your LO doing?

2. I'm hungry! What's your current go-to snack or lunch item?

3. Any other burning questions you'd like answered or experiences to share?

[Deleted User]

1. How are you doing? How is your LO doing? We are good. I've been eating trace amounts of soy and DS seems fine. I sent him to DC today without any food for the first time - he will just eat what everyone else is having. An exciting milestone! FX it goes well - I still haven't given him straight soy (like tofu or soy sauce) but he has had trace amounts. I had DH tell them no peanuts or shellfish since we haven't given him any of that yet. We'll see how it goes this week!

2. I'm hungry! What's your current go-to snack or lunch item? Right now I am munching on homemade pesto (minus cheese) on some sourdough and grilled peppers/onions with avocado. Oh, I also discovered Luke's Organic brand this weekend - they make chips and crackers that are free of dairy, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, gluten/wheat, and are also organic, non-gmo, whole-grain and kosher. They are made in California and I'm not sure how widely available they are, but you can check the website: www.lukesorganic.com. Oh, and they are yummy!

3. Any other burning questions you'd like answered or experiences to share? Just a note that I am really noticing how differently I view food. I can eat just about anything now, but I don't want to eat most processed foods anymore, now that I know all the weird ingredients most have. Overall, I think this was a really great experience for our family! (I hope that is inspiring, rather than annoying, to those of you still in the trenches. It gets better! )

Chichigo

1. How are you doing? How is LO doing?
I had my annual exam last week. My obgyn is impressed with how well we are both doing and that I've been breastfeeding without any problems. I'm also below my prepregnancy weight.

LO had his four month checkup. He has doubled his birthweight, and had no skin issues.

2. Go to snacks/lunch items
I buy grilled chicken breast patties or strips to heat for lunch. For snacks, I make batches of lactation cookies and keep grapes or raisins at hand.

3. Anything to share?
Whole Foods sells a delicious avacodo salad dressing/marinade. I'm using it on flat bread pizza in place of tomato based sauce.

amichelle723

1. How are you doing? How is your LO doing?

It's still touch and go here. I'm ~3 weeks soybean oil free, and a week soy lecithin free. I feel like DD's poops were getting better, with a normal consistency but still dark green Saturday morning. Then I had beef for the first time in 3 weeks and she had a super mucousy green diaper the next day, so that has me re-questioning cutting out beef. I plan to give it another week with the full elimination of soy to get us through Easter, then re-evaluate. I'll probably cut wheat and beef (I already eat so little beef that it won't be difficult). On the plus side, DD's eczema has completely resolved and she seems less gassy overall.

2. I'm hungry! What's your current go-to snack or lunch item?

Tons of fruit! I'm eating way more fruit than I used to. I've also been marinading chicken and grilling or baking it to take for lunch. I'm trying to stick to really basic foods right now to avoid any potential slip-ups, so it's mostly chicken and veggies for now

3. Any other burning questions you'd like answered or experiences to share?

No questions, but a few experiences. I've had great success contacting companies to inquire about vague ingredients. DH made burgers this weekend and used a McCormick's seasoning with "natural flavors" listed as an ingredient. I emailed the company to verify that there were no hidden dairy/soy and heard back pretty quickly. I also contacted a salad dressing company about where the mixed tocopherols were derived from and received a prompt response from them as well (derived from soybeans unfortunately). 

The other experience I'd like to share is a suggestion that you look into a calcium supplement if you're not using a calcium-fortified milk replacement. I haven't been using a supplement and noticed some discoloration/staining on my teeth that is definitely new. It's been attributed to calcium deficiency, so I've started on a supplement right away!

[Deleted User]

Charlie1178 said:

1. How are you doing? How is your LO doing?
I've been slacking on getting to these check-ins! I'm doing good! We went to San Antonio on vacation, and that was definitely the hardest time I've had staying true to the diet. Having someone else cook for us was stressful, I felt bad checking every.single.ingredient.  My grandma did bake chicken in some dressing that had soy (she told me she was roasting in herbs so I didn't check), because she thought that if soy was baked in, it wouldn't hurt. Lol. LO is still getting over that GI issue.

2. I'm hungry! What's your current go-to snack or lunch item?
Fruit, and chips/salsa/guac.

3. Any other burning questions you'd like answered or experiences to share?
What brand of MSPI friendly butter replacement does everyone use? Do you get it at your local grocery store, or at Whole Foods? Safeway and Albertson's didn't have any that were soy free. /

@amichelle723, I find that most companies are great at helping me with their menu/ingredients. I contacted a bunch that DH and I go to a lot and asked them for their allergen menus. Why they're not posted online is beyond me. If they aren't responsive, I figure I'll probably skip their restaurants or products in the future.

Earth Balance does make a soy-free butter substitute. It is harder to find than their other butter substitute that has soy oil in it. I've never purchased it myself. I mostly just did without butter. There's plenty of other moisteners you can use for baking, olive oil and salt is good on pastas and potatoes, and jam or peanut butter/sun butter is good on toast.  

amichelle723

@charlie1178I use Smart Balance Heart Smart Light for buttering bread, veggies, etc. I believe I found it at WalMart actually. And I use coconut oil when baking and have been really pleased with it!

I haven't been successful in finding the Earth Balance, but that's the one that I've heard most people recommend.

Chichigo

I bought the earth balance soy free spread at Whole Foods. It worked well in my baked goods, but I prefer coconut oil. It was much easier to cut the sticks than measure the coconut oil.

Jackapatamus

1. We are doing pretty good here, just finishing a 3 week visit with my parents. We are flying home tomorrow. Lo is doing much better! Can't believe how much better her poops look and how well she sleeps now.
2. Go to snack is pita chips and guac. I'm a bit addicted. Also, I'm loving my cantelope and pineapple.
3. I'm feeling really well on this diet, and it's actually not too bad. It just stinks when I can't cook my own food-!

caloneis

1. 3 weeks dairy and soy free (with the one oopsie). I'm feeling good and Sylvia seems content. Still have mucous in the poop and I thought I saw specks of blood the other day but the bowel movements have become less frequent. Just 1 - 2 per day for the past 5 days, and the little poop smears have also mostly gone away. Today was odd because I didn't know when she pooped. Usually it comes with enough gas/force that I hear it. Don't know if this is diet related or a coincidental maturing of her digestive system. 2. Loving these KIND granola bars for a quick snack. https://www.kindsnacks.com/kind-store/granola-bars/maple-pumpkin-seeds.html Also made a big batch of roasted veggies that I eat in a wrap with hummus for lunch. 3. Sometimes I worry about getting enough calories. So I've been drinking fruit juices and eating high fat foods like avocado and nuts (sure hope she doesn't turn out to have a nut intolerance as well).

JennOH85

Hi mamas! I'm new to the check-in and have really appreciated reading your experiences.
1. I'm two weeks DF since, despite two pedis assuring me that DS was gaining too well to be MPI or MSPI, he was regularly having green mucousy stools with occasional specks of blood he was also sleeping very poorly even though he was otherwise happy and not a fussy fella. Within four days of cutting out all dairy, he was sleeping 2-3 hours at a time instead of 30-45 minutes (yes, even at night). I'm also avoiding soy starting this week. His diapers are still green but seem to be less mucousy and with only the tiniest red specks in a few.

2. I'm ALWAYS hungry! That's been the hardest part. Dried papaya and pineapple have been my go tos lately.

3. I was hoping the Daiya dairy free cheese would work out. It made me so sick, such a bummer.

amichelle723

@casey78 I struggle with getting enough protein too. I've been adding black beans wherever I can- mixing them in salsa, adding to tacos, etc. I also make a sundried tomato white bean dip that I like on pita chips or as a spread on pita bread/sandwiches. 

I used to eat a lot of peanut butter, but have eliminated peanuts (still not sure if they're a problem or not for DD), and have replaced it with SunButter. It's made with sunflower seeds and is pretty good! Target carries it.

[Deleted User]

@JennOH85‌ Welcome! Glad to hear your LO is showing improvement already. Let us know if you need any help.

Piach

New to this check-in. 1. I'm two weeks dairy free. LO was having horrible, smelly, mucousy diapers. Met with Dr. (Not our regular pedi), who said it couldn't be allergy because weight gain was good. I cut out dairy first since I had an allergy to dairy when I was young. LO is doing so much better. Poop is normalizing & she is sleeping so much better. 2. My go to snacks are really just chips & salsa and popcorn. 3. Still figuring my way around dairy free. I miss cheese & 9 months+ dairy free seems daunting. My LO's four month visit is in a few weeks. What kind of testing is done this early for allergies? If I am having success with dairy free, is testing still recommended?

[Deleted User]

@Piach‌ Welcome! Allergy testing isn't really recommended for babies under 1 yr old. If a dairy free diet clears up your LOs symptoms I would just stick with that until she is about 1 yr old, then you can try reintro and see how she does. It's hard at first but it does get easier. GL!

RingOfFire11

1. How are you doing? How is your LO doing? We are still dairy, soy, beef and nut free. We brought eggs back last week and DD2 was covered in red eczema splotches all over her body within a couple days. Her diapers stayed the same (still mucousy) and her mood seemed okay. So, back to no eggs. This week I'm trying peanuts. I'm on day 3 and no reaction.....so far.

2. I'm hungry! What's your current go-to snack or lunch item? All I eat is chicken or pork, rice products, fruits and veggies. Oh and oatmeal for breakfast. My snacks have been limited to fruit. This week I've had Peanut Butter Lara Bars (how I am testing peanuts) which has been a GREAT option. I hope I can keep them in my diet!

3. Any other burning questions you'd like answered or experiences to share? I go back to work next week and I'm super emotional. DD1 goes to part-time preschool for the first time too. I'm really nervous about pumping at work and all the logistics that go with it. My job isn't super supportive either. Ugh, I'm bummed this week...

Piach

Thank you @rocknrollfriend

[Deleted User]

Aww, @RingOfFire11 that is a lot going on next week! GL! I bet it won't be as bad as you're worried it will. This board and the Working Moms board are good resources for help with pumping at work. I have my fair share of experience too. What is it about your job that's not supportive?

RingOfFire11

rocknrollfriend said:

Aww, @RingOfFire11 that is a lot going on next week! GL! I bet it won't be as bad as you're worried it will. This board and the Working Moms board are good resources for help with pumping at work. I have my fair share of experience too. What is it about your job that's not supportive?

Oh...pretty much everything. They were openly unhappy I was pregnant and that I intended to take 12 weeks of maternity leave so I fully expect my pumping at work to be an issue. I have a file room I plan to use but many days I am in meetings all day long so to excuse myself for 15ish minutes (a few times a day) will no doubt create waves/gossip. Oh well...I don't work for the greatest people so it's to be expected but I do have major anxiety about returning to that environment.

I think you're right. It's a lot of change starting next week so once I find my groove hopefully things will feel better.

PipSqueak0313

LO has random bouts of crying with gas that started prior to reintroducing soy so I know it's not related to that but so far I haven't found anything common dietary wise that could cause them. Other than that ds has been healthy. My go to lunch has been frozen veggies (usually HyVee Fiesta Blend which has Chickpeas, kidney beans, and northern beans in addition to the typical veggies) sauteed in coconut oil with onions, and leftover bacon or sausage (or bratwurst). My other favorite go to lunch when I was a non-trad college student was minute rice, can of black beans, and a can of mexican corn mixed together.

[Deleted User]

RingOfFire11 said:

rocknrollfriend said:

Aww, @RingOfFire11 that is a lot going on next week! GL! I bet it won't be as bad as you're worried it will. This board and the Working Moms board are good resources for help with pumping at work. I have my fair share of experience too. What is it about your job that's not supportive?

Oh...pretty much everything. They were openly unhappy I was pregnant and that I intended to take 12 weeks of maternity leave so I fully expect my pumping at work to be an issue. I have a file room I plan to use but many days I am in meetings all day long so to excuse myself for 15ish minutes (a few times a day) will no doubt create waves/gossip. Oh well...I don't work for the greatest people so it's to be expected but I do have major anxiety about returning to that environment.

I think you're right. It's a lot of change starting next week so once I find my groove hopefully things will feel better.

That sucks. Maybe you need to post some legal info around the office about maternity leave and breastfeeding mother's rights. Is it a smaller office? If it's of a certain size they are required to have a pumping room for you (I'm not so sure a file room counts). There's lots of other ladies on this board who are more knowledgeable about the legal rights than me. I can tell you that it is really important to be able to relax while you are pumping. If your work environment is causing you stress and you are feeling rushed to get back to a meeting, pumping might not go very well. Not telling you to stress you out more, just letting you know because it might help to establish upfront with your employer your right to pump and what your schedule is going to be. GL!!

BlessUrHeart29

I know I'm late to the party, but I'm going to need to vent over the next few days, I'm sure, haha!

So we're in our hometown, staying with my parents for Easter. We keep no dairy in our house, so it's really easy to not have to think too hard about being dairy-free. My parents' house is overflowing with dairy products and I keep finding myself almost reaching for some yogurt for a snack or creamer for my coffee just out of habit. I'm not really venting about that, just admitting that it's been difficult to put myself back in that mindset and realizing that a lot of the snacky stuff here is off-limits for me.

My mom called my aunt to ask what we would be having for lunch on Easter so that we could make sure that we brought food for me to eat if there weren't going to be many dairy-free options. My aunt actually tried to argue 1. That there is no dairy in cream of mushroom soup and 2. That my eating dairy doesn't effect my son. Ummm, okay, lady. We weren't asking for your opinion on the issue, but thanks?

camedowncrushing

JarynA said:

I know I'm late to the party, but I'm going to need to vent over the next few days, I'm sure, haha! So we're in our hometown, staying with my parents for Easter. We keep no dairy in our house, so it's really easy to not have to think too hard about being dairy-free. My parents' house is overflowing with dairy products and I keep finding myself almost reaching for some yogurt for a snack or creamer for my coffee just out of habit. I'm not really venting about that, just admitting that it's been difficult to put myself back in that mindset and realizing that a lot of the snacky stuff here is off-limits for me. My mom called my aunt to ask what we would be having for lunch on Easter so that we could make sure that we brought food for me to eat if there weren't going to be many dairy-free options. My aunt actually tried to argue 1. That there is no dairy in cream of mushroom soup and 2. That my eating dairy doesn't effect my son. Ummm, okay, lady. We weren't asking for your opinion on the issue, but thanks?

Ha ha ha ha.  People are so weird! 

camedowncrushing

We are doing well.  We have another appt with the GI next week, and I think after that I will make an appt with the allergist.

My diet is terrible.  I eat these amazing dark chocolate bars with almonds and sea salt...sometimes two a day.  DD is almost 4 months so I am going to stop worrying so much about keeping up my calories for my supply.  Other than that I eat either bacon or turkey sausage and fruit for breakfast, a lot of salads, potato chips, corn chips and guac!