Ok it's not that kind of vs.
I need some advice.
If you have a kid with milk protein allergies please help me and read on.
I have been breastfeeding since W was born. (8.5 mos) I have begun giving him solids in the afternoons, just sweet potatoes and carrots so far, but he's still mainly just breastfed.
But the thing that sucks is that near the end of November, I had some shrimp and he had a major breakout of a rash and itchy bumps all over so I obviously figured I couldn't eat shrimp. No biggie.
Well ever since then, he hasn't really cleared up, (I think the shrimp may have triggered something and created a new sensitivity) so I tried this and that cream and finally cut out milk which helped, but the rash would still come and go and flare up every now that then, so I ended up cutting out ALL dairy, soy, egg, peanuts, and I feel like I can't eat ANYTHING. (Not to mention I haven't been able to have chocolate or caffeine this whole time either! ARG) It totally sucks. The thing is, his face is still not perfect. And it was like a week ago that I cut all that other stuff completely out of my diet.
The things I am wondering are
A. Have I waited long enough to see if he might completely clear up?
B. Is it even worth it, having this super dumb diet - or is there a formula that he would be able to have that would be better for him and I could have my sanity back?
From what I've know, formula is made with milk protein which would not help the situation at all. Am I missing something, is there an appropriate formula made with some other ingredient that you FF moms of kids with milk protein allergies are using?
He has an appointment for his 9 month shots in a few weeks, but I thought I'd ask around here first and see if there is any real life advice I can get. When I expressed concern for his face like 3 months ago at the peds, he just told me that it looked like eczema and I should put aquaphor on his face and not worry about it. :-(
I want my baby's soft face-cheeks back.
Sorry this is so long and probably scatterbrained. It's been a long day.
But thanks for reading (if you made it though this far) and advice and comments are welcome!!
Re: Formula vs. Breastfeeding (long - sorry)
I cannot answer any BFing questions and I never nursed Kate. I can say that it can take up to 14 days for all allergen to leave the system.
But, I can give you some formula info.
Kate was diagnosed with MSPI (milk and soy protein intolerance) at 8 weeks after going through hell trying to find formula that worked.
There are a few over the counter hypoallergenic options (nutramigen, alimentum) that work for most CMPI and MSPI babies. However, these formulas still contain trance amounts of milk protein. Essentially, they are made with milk protein but the proteins are broken down so much so babies with issues can process them.
However, some babeis cannot tolerate any milk protein. Kate is one of those babies.
She is on amino acid based formula - there are three currently made - Elecare, Nutramigen AA, and Neocate - we use Neocate.
It has worked wonders for us but is VERY expensive. I'm talking almost $50 a can that lasts 2.5 days. Some insurances will cover it as it is medically necessary growth/ development but some to now (we are in the not covered category).
I would try the OTC stuff first as it is so much cheaper - and works great for lots of children.
GL!
Thanks girl... I think I may end up looking into that otc stuff.
I'm so sorry you have to pay so much for that stuff! That's really horrible.
Can I ask you, what were Kate's symptoms? Did she have a horrible rash on her face before you found the formula that worked for her? And do you happen to know if she's allergic to anything else?
She's never had any rashes.
But, from birth until we made the switch we dealt with tons of spit up (I'm talking 2+ ounces of projectile vomiting at a time), low weight gain, extreme fussiness, severe reflux, and just over all discomfort.
But, I have heard of rashes being indicative of an allergy.
We are not 100% sure as of now but it is looking like she is also allergic to wheat and gluten.
I don't post here often, but wanted to share my sister's experience. My niece was diagnosed with a milk protein allergy around 3 months. She never had a rash, but was having blood in her stool. The doctor encouraged my sister to cut out the milk for several months, and within 7 days the blood went away. My niece is now 8 months and my sister can have milk in food, but not a ton. For instance she could eat a salad with a little shredded cheese on it, but can't drink a glass of milk.
We also have a neighbor whose little girl has a milk protein allergy and she also never had a rash, they found out through blood in her stool too.
I have no idea if all cases are that way, but just wanted to share.
Good luck!
Have you checked out kellymom.com? https://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/food-sensitivity.html
It can take 2-3 weeks for any soy/dairy to be out of your system.
Hi - My dd has a milk protein allergy. She was EBF for 4 months before doctor figured it out. Hers was severe, symptoms included: rash all over body (red, bumpy, looked like yeast/ecema); blood in stool; bowel movements at least 4 times a day; rubbing eyes excessively; waking every 20 mins at night; and just generally VERY fussy/uncomfortable/horrible gas.
We started Nutramigen with Enflora about two months ago. I tried giving up milk/soy but it wasn't for me. The Nurtamigen has been a MIRACLE. All of my dds symptoms are GONE and she is so much happier. It is expensive, but so worth it! If you want to try it out before investing, ask your pedi, they should give you a sample. Also you can call the 1800 number for Enfamil and they will send you a sample plus a $10 rebate coupon for a subsequent purchase.
I hope this helps. You have to make you own decison re: altering your diet vs. formula but I wanted to let you know, as PP said, there are some good hypoalergenic options out there, and that going the formula route has worked wonders for my LO.
My girl has a milk protein sensitivity, too. It was diagnosed through mucosy green poop with occasional streaks of blood. It looked like snot in her diaper- very weird and gross. (Obviously every baby is different, but the doc told me this is the "textbook" sign of the sensitivity.)
I cut out milk mostly (still eat things like the PP- I can do one slice of cheese a day without a problem, but a bowl of icecream or glass of milk is out) and we haven't had any problems. I use almond milk in my oatmeal, nondairy creamer (peppermint mocha flavor-yummy!) in my coffee and So Delicious brand coconut ice cream (A.MAZ.ING.) It's really not a trial for me at all, and I don't have to be super duper strict.
I wouldn't quit until you talk with the pedi. If all you have to cut out is dairy and shrimp, I'd keep BFing if it were me. That non-milk-protein formula is SO expensive.
Oh I know exactly how you feel.
I was off dairy, nuts, soy, fish, and eggs from October to February. I started because LO had loose stools and one test identified blood as well. If I wasn't able to sustain the diet, the gastroenterologist recommended Alimentum as the formula. It took a good month or so before LO's stool changed. DS was only 4 months at the time so I was determined to breastfeed until 6 months but was just never able to entice him with the formula enough. When DS turned 6 months the gastroenterologist said I could start adding one food at a time back into my diet except for dairy so that is my only restriction now.
The diet of no dairy, nuts, soy, fish, and eggs can feel restrictive but I would have cereal for breakfast with rice milk, soup or an Amy's frozen meal for lunch, chips and salsa/hummus or fruit for snacks, and for dinner DH and I enjoyed a lot of Mexican, pasta, ground beef and chicken.
This probably doesn't help, but my kid breaks out all the time because of my hormone fluctuations. At his first check up we even noticed he was lactating himself because my hormones were so high. It's called witches milk, it's not uncommon.
Just wondering if it's a rash rash, or if sometimes it could be acne.
Hi
Evan lost weight and got red cheeks during 2-4 mths. Oh, and was gassy, fussy and would not sleep very well.
I cut dairy out completely at 4 mths. Cheeks are perfect, he sleeps, is never gassy, and is a completely better baby.
Aquaphor is what I use on his cheeks and it works great. (sometimes they get dry from the weather) and a little read.
GL
I do miss icecream, but he is so much better bc of it. lol