I breastfed Koltyn the first 2 months full time but upon returning to work, only about 2 times a day until 3 months. He is now 4 months and has been strictly on formula for a while now. Koltyn had developed this red rash on his cheeks - the redness would go in and out. He then developed eczema on his legs and arms. We had been using eczema cream on his arms and legs and it makes it better, but not fully curing it. And NOTHING will work on his face. He then had developed RSV, so the doctor has us stop Similac Sensitive and put him on Nutramigen. The RSV cleared up, but the Nutramigen was not helping his face any. So she sent us for a blood test (allergies). (My experience with the lab is a whole other story....short story is it took 2 nurses, 25 minutes, and 3 jabs in his poor arm, and blood curdling screams before they could get a draw. I was irrate to say the least). So the blood test came back for milk or soy allergies, yet positive for a peanut allergy. Obviously he has NO peanuts making any contact with him...so that is not the issue. Last night was the breaking point for me, when his cheeks got so red, it looked like he was really sunburnt and almost looked like he had small welts on his face. On really bad flare-ups I use hydracortizone and it makes it clear up for a short time, but it always returns. So, I set out last night and bought Soy formula. I know that 1 bottle is NOT going to cure this, but I thought maybe it is a milk allergy and this will work. He woke up looking great, but after his morning bottle he went red again. We had even went as far as getting rid of Dreft thinking the clothes going over his face was maybe causing a reaction so we went to All Free & Clear. I am just at a loss here. I have no idea what is left to try? I have bought every cream imaginable and nothing works. The good thing through all of this is Koltyn is such a happy baby. He lets nothing bother him. I feel like a horrible mom because I can not figure out what is causing his face to look like this. And it is definitely worse after a bottle. Lastly, we have friends whose son was diagnosed with both a milk and soy allergy at 10 months. However, the only reason they figured this out was because he stopped eating and when they took him to the gastro doctor his esophogus was swollen shut. They had the same allergy test done...and it was also negative for both milk and soy allergies. I am certain I am not the only one having this issue, but can't seem to find any help online? Anyone have any tips?
Re: ?s for anyone whose LO have/suspected of having milk allergy (long)
My son has a milk protein allergy and they tested his poop to see if there was blood in it. We are now on milk free similac formula. We are the enfamil vesion and most things cleared up, but he was not perfect. He is much better after the similac version.
I hope this helps.
Born 7lb, 15oz, 21-1/4, 2 mo - 12lbs, 14oz. 25", 3mo - 14lb, 4oz 26in , 4 mo - 16lb, 1oz, 26 3/4 in, 5 mo 18 lb, 4oz 27-3/4 in, 6 mo 28 3/4 in 19lb, 14oz
could it be a sensitivity to the bottle nipple that you are using?
DS has a dairy/soy protein allergy. He never developed rashes(except on his bum), but had painful gas and bloody stools. He's been on Elecare exclusively since 10 weeks, and everything has cleared up. Nutramigen and the elimination diet did nothing.
It can take a while for his body to adjust to a new formula, so I wouldn't give up just yet. I was told it could take up to 2 weeks before we saw any improvement. It took 24 hours, but I knew it could take longer.
Good luck!
what is the name of this formula?
Similac alimentum
Born 7lb, 15oz, 21-1/4, 2 mo - 12lbs, 14oz. 25", 3mo - 14lb, 4oz 26in , 4 mo - 16lb, 1oz, 26 3/4 in, 5 mo 18 lb, 4oz 27-3/4 in, 6 mo 28 3/4 in 19lb, 14oz
DS#2 is BF and has allergies to formula-he breaks out in a face rash. (He had formula once when my pump broke) His dr. said it would be pretty rare that he has a milk or soy allergy and not to worry. My son also has excema. It comes and goes (looks like cute pink cheeks) but I haven't put anything on them. He will likely outgrow it. Baby skin is very sensitive!
There are alternative sensitive OTC formulas, or your doctor can prescribe sensitive formulas.
alimentum is not milk free. the milk proteins have been broken down to be easier to digest.
soy formula's are milk free, and elecare/neocate is milk and soy free.
DD was BF and had terribly bloody stools. Alimentum and Nutramigen same. Only once she went to Neocate was she OK.
I'm just popping over from 0-3, since DD is 11 weeks this week.
Soy and peanuts are related, so it might be a reaction to the soy.
Check out the Unhealthy Truth by Robyn O'Brien, she talks a lot about reactions to soy.
It?s possible that your LOs eczema has not improved on Nutramigen because he is reacting to the partially broken down milk proteins in the formula. You may want to consider switching to a 100% hypoallergenic elemental formula, like Neocate or EleCare. Elemental formulas are the best for LOs with milk protein allergies because they are made up of individual amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) instead of protein chains. This makes elementals not only the safest but also the easiest for babies to digest. HTH!!