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Allergic to formula but not breastmilk?

ktwildemanktwildeman
in Food Allergy

New here with a question. My DS is five and a half months old and is EBF. I am returning to work next month and was going to start weaning him. We introduced cereal about a month ago and when mixed with breastmilk he tolerated it very well. However, we were trying to save all I had pumped for bottles while my mother in law was in town and watching him and we used formula to mix the cereal. He immediately broke out in a rash all around his mouth and cheeks. The Dr. recommended that we try a different brand - they suspected maybe it was an additive in the formula and not a dairy allergy since he tolerates my breastmilk with no problems. We have tried both Similac and Enfamil and have gotten the same reactions from both. Soy formula however does not appear to give him a reaction. Has anyone ever experienced this? It just seems so strange to me that he would tolerate my breastmilk just fine and I have not eliminated anything from my diet but would be allergic to formula.

Also and this is separate but my 3 year old DS and I made peanut butter cookies two weeks ago and my older DS kissed the baby and he immediately broke out in a contact rash which spread over his face. Given this we have taken all peanut precautions per our pedi's advice. 

Anyone had anything similar happen or any advice? 

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Re: Allergic to formula but not breastmilk?

  • NiniJ55NiniJ55 member

    My DD reacted to my breast milk with her dairy allergies -- but I have heard of babies who react to formula but not to breast milk.  So I don't think it's totally out of the norm.

    Also -- I gave DS peanut butter on toast one day, rinsed my hands with water (no soap) then picked up my DS.  She immediatly broke out in hives.  We have a peanut free house as a result - i'm not taking any chances.  Went back to her pediatric allergist and she is allergic to dairy (tested at 4 months) peanuts and egg (tested at 9 months).  We were given an epi-pen due to the peanut allergy.

    DD is now on Alimentum and does well on that.  You can give that a try but if she is doing well with soy then feel free to stick with that.  It could also be an intolerce and an actual allergy -- but same goes.  Some babies react to formula only and others to BM and formula.

    I would take her in to a pediatric allergist to be tested.  Good luck!

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  • Fuzzy8252Fuzzy8252 member
    My son has never reacted to dairy or any other allergens in my milk, but if he even touches dairy, he reacts.
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  • ktwildemanktwildeman
    Thanks so much! Good to know. The pedi didn't seem convinced it was a dairy allergy because he doesn't react to my breastmilk but my gut was telling me that it was possible. Nice to have the reassurance that others have had the same experience.
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  • ali26ali26
    Same thing with my daughter.  Never reacted to breast milk ( and I eat lots of dairy) or soy but unable to have any milk products.  In hindsight my DD did have more nasty blowout diapers than my nephew who was also EBF, but since she is my first I didn't really realize it could be some sort of upset from my diet.  But she never had any rash or other physical reaction from breast milk, and she has with food.  
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