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Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
Court0026
member
WDYT re:allergy testing
Court0026
member
Short as possible. DS had a reaction to milk-based formula as an infant so after I stopped bfing at 12 months, pedi recommended Nutramigen until 15 months. He had a slight reaction to yogurt at 15 months so she said soy and we transitioned him to soy milk 2 weeks ago with no problems. Went for allergy testing to be safe and he is a 3 (on a scale of 0-6) for soy and milk. He has an appt with an allergist in May, and she said she would like us to avoid straight soy or cow's milk until then. What did she recommend? Rice milk. I know there are no real nutrients in it and I kept asking her about it. She didn't seem to think it was that big of a deal. Just make sure he gets enough protein and calcium elsewhere.
My dad is a family practice doctor (30% of practice is kids) and he strongly recommends continuing the soy because DS has had no obvious reactions. He thinks rice milk is a bad idea. They both say not to go back to the formula.
I am giving mostly rice milk right now with a little soy and contemplating starting the formula (liquid gold) again. This is so hard. He is also severely allergic to eggs (epi pen allergic) and we have been giving him stuff with eggs in it for months. Parenting is so hard some days. I have no idea what to do. DH isn't that helpful because he thinks the blood tests for allergies are so inaccurate from his own experience (which they can be).
O 10.08 & MJ 6.10
This discussion has been closed.
Re: WDYT re:allergy testing
I would probably go back on the formula.
Hemp milk. There are NO known allergens to it. It's been a life saver for us! It's SO much more nutritious than soy milk, too. Living Harvest and Pacific Natural are a couple brands that we use. It's expensive, but not formula expensive. Check out their websites, you will not be disappointed. GL!
P.S. I agree with you, definitely avoid the rice milk as much as possible, it's really not very nutritious and doesn't have a high enough fat content for growing kids.
That's tough. I totally agree with you about the rice milk. If he's not benefiting nutritionally, what's the point? I also agree with your DH about the blood tests. I guess my thought is, if he's not reacting, why cut out soy? I know the blood test says there is an allergy, but if he's not manifesting that in any way, what does it matter? Is that pretty much what your dad is saying?
If you aren't comfortable with the soy, I would go back to the formula before I would switch to rice milk. It's all well and good to say, "Oh, just make sure he gets his calcium elsewhere," but how? It's not that easy when yogurt and cheese aren't an option.
First of all, I understand exactly what you are going through. DS has severe (epi pen allergies) to all dairy, eggs, wheat/gluten and peanuts and tree nuts. He was allergic to soy at first but over the last 7 mos or so has seemed to outgrow them (and the tests confirmed).
Same story---he was breastfed and when I tried to supplement with formula he reacted. He was just around a year so we stuck to BM and got him tested through an allergist. I recommend seeing a pediatric allergist if you can----not that a pedi can't tell you stuff--but these people KNOW their field--and know children.
Anyways---because of the soy allergy and the fact that I don't like the idea of soy milk (as it pertains to hormones and behavior)--we went with Organic Rice Milk that is enriched. Rice Dream is one brand---Pacific is another. Those are the only two we do--but we always do organic due to the arsenic issue. Why else don't you like rice milk??
There is hemp milk--but it scares me a bit so we haven't done that route. I'm just always afraid the smallest thing will make him react.
He's been tested 2x now and stiill needs the epi pen. I started a blog with a few items that may help people--I have a lot more I need to add though.
PM if you have any questions!!
My new "mom" blog: http://realityofamommy.blogspot.com
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Notes:
I will definitely look into this. Soy milk was a stretch for me so rice milk is just really not something I like to think about. The pedi is basically being conservative and said the allergist may very well say to do milk or soy. I can't blame her, but still! Our formula is $8/day, so we are used to expensive!
I appreciate your response. That is pretty much what my dad was saying. He was also saying that if both milk and soy are the same in the allergy rankings, to try milk (which he has been saying over and over). And exactly, it is all easy to say, but to actually carry it through is so tough.
What about goat's milk? DS is also allergic to soy, and had some lactose intolerance when we first switched to cow's milk. We did rice milk for awhile, but like you said, there really are no nutrients in it. I think goat's milk is probably easier to find than hemp (in my area anyway). I have a friend whose DD is allergic to alot of things and goat's milk is what's working for them.
DS has outgrown his lactose intolerance and is doing well on cow's milk again, and we go back to the allergist next month to see if he's outgrown the soy allergy yet. He never had any bad reactions to it, only diarrhea. But our allergist said it's still not a good idea to let him have it because you never know when the reaction might be more severe. So I would not go back to soy milk if it were me. And I'd also recommend finding an allergist that will do a skin test. GL!
A couple of things----you guys keep saying there is no nutritional benefit to rice milk----it's important to get it enriched. I can't stress that enough.
Regarding soy----our allergist explained that although he was allergic to soy he could still have it b/c there generally isn't much of a reaction. When he was showing up allergic to soy--his reactions were mild compared to his other allergins. Now he can have soy as much as he wants--which we do give soy cheese and soy yogurt now. I just don't feel comfortable with 20oz of soy milk each day (yes, he's a milkaholic)
My new "mom" blog: http://realityofamommy.blogspot.com
[img]
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
Notes:
DS is also milk/soy intolerant. He is not allergic but can not digest milk or soy products. He gets massive gas and horrible diarrhea and vomitting. He was also supposed to be on Alimentum until 15 months. We tried a dairy and soy challenge. Both were unsuccessful. At 14 months, he was put on Neocate. I compeltely hypoallergenic, amino acid based formula. At this point, he is not eating enough to support himself with rice milk. Once we can get him eating more we will tranistion to enriched rice milk. I had no issue (other than expense) keeping him on formula. Our GI says it won't hurt him. Right now, he is not taking in enough calories on his own without the formula to supplement. He takes about 20 oz per day of formula.
My point, I have no issue with the rice milk as long as it is enriched. I also don't have an issue keeping him on formula.