RP from Breastfeeding - Can't use my 150oz stash, devastated :-(

hightidebride

Hi ladies,

My DD is 2 months old today and we just found out she has a milk protein allergy.  She has had lots of mucous in her poops and they just found that there is blood in them.  DH and I are traveling for 5 days in April without the kids (My DH won an all inclusive trip! We don't have control of the dates and it was too good to turn down, otherwise I would never go away so long with her so young) and we have an overnight wedding out of state in March.  I knew I needed about 210oz of frozen milk to cover the trips (30oz for 7 days).  I have been pumping 4oz at like 3AM for over a month now and have 150oz.  The Pedi just told me that I will have to start dairyfree right away and will have to get rid of all of it and anything I pump in the next 3 weeks while it is clearing my system.  Im SOOO upset.  I worked so hard and gave up sleep for that milk and now I don't think I will be able to build up enough for the trips if I can't pump for the next 3 weeks either.  I really didn't want to give any formula until at least 6 months and now I don't think this goal will be possible.  I think I will try to donate the milk.  Not sure how you do that though.  Should I keep pumping at 3AM for the next 3 weeks even though I can't use it so my supply stays up?

I'm also upset that I have been putting DD through this for 2 months.  I noticed the mucousy poos awhile ago but didn't think it was an allergy.  I just thought it was looser breastmilk poops.  I feel so stupid and worry that I damaged her poor little intestines.  I'm going to do my best to go completely dairy free but how will I do that at a wedding or on the trip to an all inclusive resort?  How do you eat out dairyfree?  I just looked though my cabinets and almost everything says it contains milk.  I'm so sad  :-(

micaela421

I'm so sorry:-( can you freeze it and use it in the near future when she out grows her allergy.

hightidebride

It's frozen but pedi says that I can't try milk again until she is 9 months.  That is 7 months from now and I heard that in the freezer the longest it can last is 6 months.  Is that true?

ilovemygirls

That would be so frustrating and disappointing   However, you had NO way of knowing about her allergy- please don't beat yourself up about that.  I think donating your bm is an awesome idea, knowing that you could help another child. 

You have a lot to think about going dairy free- that would be hard.  Can you call ahead to the resort & let them know about your dietary restrictions?  As for formula- it's not a terrible thing.  I bf'd each of my DD's for a year but started supplementing formula by the time I went back to work PT as my body could not keep up pumping for them. Be kind to yourself- this isn't anything you could have anticipated or planned for. 

micaela421

If you put in a deep chest freezer it will last for 12 months:-). I also think donating your milk to help another child will be awesome. 

RNfromMN

I heard a year in the freezer...

Chunstad

I'm so, so sorry.  However, I thought that if the milk was in a chest freezer, (we have a super cold one in our garage) stored in the very back, that it could last a year. https://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkstorage.html

lilwildthing

I am so sorry!  I can only imagine how devastating this is for you.  I have had a hard time stocking up on my liquid gold, and would be really bummed if I couldn't use that milk. 

I also have heard that breast milk is good for up to a year in the freezer.  Hopefully by then she will have outgrown this allergy.  

Chargersgrl33

Have you thought about donating it?

MsMom1

hightidebride:

It's frozen but pedi says that I can't try milk again until she is 9 months.  That is 7 months from now and I heard that in the freezer the longest it can last is 6 months.  Is that true?

 

I would double check with a LC because I went through the same thing with my DD but she outgrew her allergy by 5 months. I never heard about waiting until 9 months to try it again. Don't throw it out!! 

itsmarcie22

I am so, so sorry!  I can only imagine how upsetting this is for you.  I only have about 70 oz. and would be pretty upset to learn it wasn't usable.

As other posters have commented I'd look for a local milk bank, at least your liquid gold would be put to a VERY good cause.... 

Mrs.Goldenblatt

I am so sorry to hear that.  I would be devastated too but there is no way you would've known this was going to happen.

I'd donate the milk.  It would be a wonderful gift and then you wouldn't feel like it went to waste.

Check out some vegan websites for diary free stuff or good substitutes.  My sister's vegan and she has a vegan recipe for pretty much everything under the sun.  She seems to find dairy free substitutes for everything from butter to sour cream etc.   

ArcadianDreams

Chargersgrl33:

Have you thought about donating it?

I agree! I would be super bummed also not to be able to use it, but maybe you can help out someone else who wanted to breastfeed but for whatever reason can't.