@winnie1122 I have been a long time lurker, but thought I would chime in bc we have been struggling with a dairy intolerance as well. I echo everything you wrote! Luckily, my pediatrician has allowed me to continue bfing with frequent monitoring and a scheduled appt with a gi specialist. It's been over two months being off dairy and soy and we still intermittently have traces of blood in his diapers. I basically cry every time I find a trace, but lo is happy and gaining. We take diapers in weekly for testing. After our first visit for this, the dr sent me home with samples of the hypoallergenic formula, I cried and cried. Like you, we had a rough start with breastfeeding and we are finally in that stage where it got easier!! I'm not against formula, but we finally hit our stride. Are they suggesting the formula as a trial while his gut heals and you can try bfing again? A happy fed baby is best, but I totally get how you are feeling!! Hugs!!
@brepcheck Thanks! Glad I'm not the only one, though I'm sorry you're dealing with it too! I'm not sure at this point, all I had was a phone call with the nurse today and she said after this weekend we'd talk about it at his regular appointment on Monday. I'm hoping we'll be able to work something out to get back to breastfeeding if we can pinpoint what's causing the bad diapers. I'm kind of wondering if it's actually nuts or something in addition to the dairy because I've been doing almond milk instead and it has seemed to get worse after it got a little better when I first went off dairy. Thankfully he took the formula ok, I could tell he didn't like it because he kept pulling away and gagging, but he at least would take it back and finished the bottle. I know the most important thing is that he's fed and healthy, so I'm trying to get over my disappointment about maybe having to stop BF. But I'm going to keep pumping until they say for sure I can't feed him again so my supply doesn't go down.
Married 6/1/13
BFP #1 7/2013 MMC 9/17/13
BFP #2 5/2014 MC 6/15/14
BFP #3 11/13/14 (Found in ER with ruptured cyst) Diagnosed MC 11/15/14
BFP #4 4/2015 MC 7/1/15
BFP #5 10/21/15 EDD 7/3/16 Praying for our rainbow!
@winnie1122 We saw a PA at our initial visit for this issue and she wanted us to switch to formula right away, but we followed up with our normal pediatrician, and he has only recommended switching to formula if we wanted. Hopefully, your dr will let you keep breastfeeding as well, if you want while the allergens work their way out of your system. That PA did tell me to keep pumping to keep my supply up with the hopes of being able to continue bfing. I have been so paranoid that I have cut out nuts, eggs, wheat and beef, as well as dairy and soy. My pedetrican has told me it could only be dairy or soy though, and since the blood is intermittent still, he has referred us to a pediatric gi, which we couldn't get an appt with until end of dec. Im glad your lo took the formula! That's so hard! Sending good vibes your way! Ps check out enjoy life products for allergen free snacks. I ordered a bunch of their cookies and brownie mixes thru their website. Also, I have been living on skittles!
@winnie1122 you are definitely not alone! My neighbor and my cousin both have super allergic babies. My neighbor ended up switching to a super sensitive formula (starts with a p) while my cousin continued BF but stopped dairy, soy, nuts, wheat, Corn, and anything with preservatives. Both babies are now healthy and happy. And I know are loved by great mommas. Hang in there! Creepy internet hugs to you
@winnie1122 I felt every thing you just said when I had to make the choice to switch to formula. I cried and felt guilty for making her sick and having to chose to not bf. I was also dealing with PPD as well so for I knew I needed to stop the bf so I could stop some of the guilt. It was a tough decision and change, but so worth it once her diapers came back with no trace! I read somewhere that it can take up to 2 months to clear your system and theirs. If you really want to stick to bf, maybe seek a second opinion. My pediatrician never pushed for me to switch until I broke down crying 4 weeks after changing my diet because nothing changed. Remember, you are not alone! None of my friends dealt with this with their kids so I know I felt clueless and alone at the beginning of the change. Which formulas are you trying? I hated the smell of Similac alimentum and after 2 weeks she was allergic to that too Neocate which is available via prescription has less of a smell, but super expensive. I was lucky that our insurance covers some of it
@winnie1122 hugs momma! You're right, fed is best, but be try to be kind to yourself- I can't imagine how hard it must be to give up breastfeeding when you loved it so much. Hope your little guy starts to feel better soon!
Thanks ladies, I was sort of busy all day so I was distracted enough to not completely have a breakdown about it, but tonight he was screaming and I could tell all he wanted was to eat and I just lost it. I did not realize how big of a deal breastfeeding was to me until I couldn't do it. 4 miscarriages made me feel like my body was a failure and this just dredged up all that trauma all over again. I think I'm going to try getting rid of all nuts and soy too and see if that helps, but after today, I really don't think I can handle stopping BF cold turkey because it's just too hard for both of us. He's taking the bottle, but only a few ounces and gagging the whole time, and then he's just been inconsolable until he either chokes down a little more or falls asleep. And I feel like I can't comfort him because if I hold him and don't nurse him like he wants he just gets even more upset. So DH and I decided to try to switch more gradually and do a bit of both as I keep trying to eliminate stuff. I just fed him and he gulped like there was no tomorrow. I didn't do any almond or nut anything today so we'll see. @babycakesday It's the simulac alimentum...it smells like dog food and tastes like it smells. Plus it has soy oil and casein in it...I don't understand how that's hypoallergenic? I have never had food allergies and neither has anyone on either side of our families, so this is just overwhelming.
Married 6/1/13
BFP #1 7/2013 MMC 9/17/13
BFP #2 5/2014 MC 6/15/14
BFP #3 11/13/14 (Found in ER with ruptured cyst) Diagnosed MC 11/15/14
BFP #4 4/2015 MC 7/1/15
BFP #5 10/21/15 EDD 7/3/16 Praying for our rainbow!
@winnie1122 That's the main reason LO was still allergic. From the way the doctor explained it to my husband most of the main agressors are broken down so the babies handle it better. My cat had the same problem with off the shelf chocken food, so we had to buy a prescription kind that breaks down the proteins so they can digest it better. That is the closest thing I've ever had to this food allergy. Another thing that helped me was that the pediatrician explained it as a food sensitivity that most children outgrow and not a food allergy.
Alimentum smells and tastes horrible. I also read that the formula changed recently and many kids who responded before stopped responding to the new formula like my LO. Make sure to rinse the bottles soon after they drink it, I noticed it left a stain on my glass bottles if I left it sitting for too long.
Those of you dealing with food allergies or a dairy intolerance, was it only reflux and/or blood in their stool that was an indicator? For the past week or so William has been doing this grunting/ straining thing like he's struggling to poop. He passes small amounts of gas when he does it but doesn't seem bloated at all and isn't crying from gas pains. He's not constipated and is still having normal wet and dirty diapers. He hasn't had anything but breast milk and I haven't eaten anything different. I can't figure it out but he seems really uncomfortable (but not crying) and it's difficult to watch. Bicycling his legs doesn't seem to help.
@jennyleigh16 The allergy diagnosis was based on the bloody diapers for us, plus eczema and reflux. My LO does the grunting/straining thing too sometimes, usually just to pass gas or something, but I don't think it's necessarily connected to his allergy, especially since he doesn't cry like he's in pain. If he's not showing any signs of constipation or any of the typical allergy symptoms, I bet he's ok! My doctor said that eczema is usually the first signal of an allergy and blood in the diaper is the next, though I'm sure not every baby follows that pattern. We did though...eczema started right after 2 month shots and blood a few weeks later.
I considered not bringing this up because I know I've been the worry wart about everything vaccine related every time shots are coming up for us, but I've been doing a lot of research since this allergy has come up and have found a lot of studies about a correlation between vaccines and allergies in some kids. One of the studies specifically talked about dairy sensitivity being linked to the DTaP and HIB and mentioned one of the reactions being eczema around the injection, which is exactly what happened to P. My doctor didn't know what the rash was from when we took him in for it, his only guess was that maybe P was sensitive to the alcohol swab before the shot. P is scheduled to get the next round of those shots on Monday and DH and I are trying to get those delayed until we can resolve this allergy issue and get Ps intestinal tract or whatever healed up and the allergen pinpointed before going ahead with the next round. I know nobody has really come to absolute conclusions on vaccines and their side effects, but has anyone heard of these studies or have your pediatricians talked about it with you other moms dealing with allergies? When I asked the nurse today on the phone she said we could talk to the doc about it on Monday, but I don't think she really liked the idea so my guess is they won't be on board, but we'll see. Just curious if anyone else has seen or heard anything like that!
Married 6/1/13
BFP #1 7/2013 MMC 9/17/13
BFP #2 5/2014 MC 6/15/14
BFP #3 11/13/14 (Found in ER with ruptured cyst) Diagnosed MC 11/15/14
BFP #4 4/2015 MC 7/1/15
BFP #5 10/21/15 EDD 7/3/16 Praying for our rainbow!
@jennyleigh16 my LO did this, too. He technically had normal dirty diapers (at least one a week) and his tummy was soft, but was always grunting and groaning and straining. I started him on Mommys Bliss probiotic and it stoped within 48hours. He pooped 2-3 times within that time and now goes About every other day. He farts a lot more easily (and often) too. There are other probiotics out there, but I like the mommysbliss because it's just the probiotics in sunflower oil, nothing else.
@winnie1122 my LO got eczema right after his 2 months shots too. And I have since eliminated dairy and it has cleared up. I didn't think it to the vaccines, but it is obviously he has a dairy allergy and that is what is causing the eczema. Not sure if it is related to the vaccines or if at about 2 months these allergies surface, which is what I was told. And they can go away just as fast! My pedi said to try adding dairy every 3 months to see if he has gotten over it, but we don't have a reflux or bloody diaper issue, just eczema.
To the ladies who are dealing with dairy allergies: this might be a no brainer, but don't give your baby freezer stash milk from when you were eating dairy! I pulled some milk out of the freezer and planned on giving it to DS, but luckily my husband had the wherewithal to think about the milk allergy before we fed DS! It sucks, but it looks like my freezer stash is obsolete
Had 4 month appt today and now we're eliminating soy in addition to dairy, which I had been starting to try to do but man, soy is in EVERYTHING! Even spaghetti sauce! At least I have the go ahead to keep trying to breastfeed since the formula went so horribly.
Married 6/1/13
BFP #1 7/2013 MMC 9/17/13
BFP #2 5/2014 MC 6/15/14
BFP #3 11/13/14 (Found in ER with ruptured cyst) Diagnosed MC 11/15/14
BFP #4 4/2015 MC 7/1/15
BFP #5 10/21/15 EDD 7/3/16 Praying for our rainbow!
@winnie1122 Soy really is in everything! I found some brands of spaghetti sauce at target that do not have soy, but you are paying $5.99 a jar. I tell myself I'm still coming out ahead bc that hypoallergenic formula is beyond expensive. I'm so glad you got the go ahead to keep breastfeeding!!!
@brepcheck So true, the cost of formula alone is enough to make not eating anything fun worth it! Added perk is that I've already lost more weight not eating dairy the last 3 weeks than I had been able to for the last few years. Self control is way easier when it affects my kid's health rather than just mine.
Married 6/1/13
BFP #1 7/2013 MMC 9/17/13
BFP #2 5/2014 MC 6/15/14
BFP #3 11/13/14 (Found in ER with ruptured cyst) Diagnosed MC 11/15/14
BFP #4 4/2015 MC 7/1/15
BFP #5 10/21/15 EDD 7/3/16 Praying for our rainbow!
@arhodes6 We had this issue too. However numerous friends and pediatrician told me to keep it and try reintroducing it when she is older. Even mixing it with non dairy BM or the soy formula to see if she is growing out of the dairy intolerance. I have done it twice, the mixing with non dairy BM and so far so good. Just a thought if you don't want to toss it.
@winnie1122 I ended up eliminating milk, soy, eggs, wheat and nuts because her allergy wasn't getting better. I lost a ton if weight because almost all bad food including fast food has one of those things. I never have great self control, but for LO i did for a month. It was awesome while it lasted.
@winnie1122 just yesterday we were told to eliminate soy in addition to the dairy as well! it's way harder! it is in seriously everything! I'm going to try and just make most stuff from scratch but we will see how that goes haha. I agree though, it's amazing how much better my self control is when it comes to his health over my own haha. also, hummus is basically my life blood now.
Dang it bump ate my post. Apparently soy was the magic ticket because this morning his diaper was finally blood free! And I found that Earth Balance makes a soy-free version of its "butter" so at least I still have a good butter replacement for baking!
Married 6/1/13
BFP #1 7/2013 MMC 9/17/13
BFP #2 5/2014 MC 6/15/14
BFP #3 11/13/14 (Found in ER with ruptured cyst) Diagnosed MC 11/15/14
BFP #4 4/2015 MC 7/1/15
BFP #5 10/21/15 EDD 7/3/16 Praying for our rainbow!
My poor baby dropped curves again. They told me to feed on demand again, but she just sticks to her schedule and sleeps through the night. So it is the same as always. So now I need to introduce solids and supplement. We have a lactation appointment on Friday. I am hoping that will get us some answers. She eats for 15-20 minutes. Has wet diapers. Is meeting all milestones. She's a pretty happy baby!
Edit: Solids and supplementing are at my Pediatrician's request. She went from 50th to 5th percentile during her past two check ups.
Went to a family wedding this weekend (4 hours away so first time for all of them seeing him) and my cousin tried to put food in his mouth from on her finger!!! I was livid and went off. (After her 22 yr old son already started going off on her because I guess she pulled the same crap with his daughter). He isn't even 4 months old until Wednesday (and family have already been told, no food until 6 months) I thought we had a little time before this crap started! *sigh*
@stellaluna14 Oh I did! Thankfully shock didn't keep my Mama Bear from coming out full force. They really just don't! I am always shocked by the amount of random people that think touching my infant is ok! I flip out then too. Like we learned boundaries in kindergarten, wtf?! I was fully prepared to have to stand my ground with DH's grandpa , that he can't feed him food on Thanksgiving (DH fully backs this, I'm just scarier than him lol) because that's the way he is. Apparently babies make people stupid, because that is the side of my family who are usually amazing about boundaries and parents choices!
@shaylalr we took LO 3-4 weeks ago to the doctor and they said he weighed 16lbs 6oz and he was weighed again yesterday and came up 2lbs less! The lady brushed it off to the scale being off at the doctor. I thought it was a little ridiculous, but so long as he's healthy I guess it's ok. He's 25ish inches so I've got a really lean baby!
I'm so defeated. The pediatrician told me not to use formula and just pump enough to supplement her. My body does not respond to this thing! I am literally getting nothing. I pumped for 15 minutes and got just a couple drops. I work on Wednesdays and get 2.5 oz usually each pumping session, but I have never pumped in between feedings before. I have no idea what to do, but I know I need to give her formula.
shaylalr you know your baby better than your pediatrician ever will. If you think she needs formula give her what she needs. You're the mom and are with her all the time and know her better than anyone else. A fed baby is a happy baby. It is better for a baby to have a little formula than be hungry imo.
I'm not really bothered by giving her formula, just sad that I can't provide for her especially when the pediatrician told me not to give formula to her. But if she wants me to supplement this is the only way.
@shaylalr I read and was told that sometimes it works to pump 30 min-1 hour after BFing. I was doing this before I went back to work so I would have a freezer stash, and it took maybe 3 pumping sessions to get a 3oz bottle, but it helped. Maybe something you could try? Do you have access to a lactation consultant? They may have great answers as well.
TB won't let me edit my comment, so pardon the second post, but I have been having some nipple pain/soreness while BFing for maybe two weeks now. Anybody else have this happen before? If it continues, I do plan to call my dr.
@schaze I just recently had this on my L side. No definitive reason why, but my gut says LO damaged it during nursing. I put coconut oil on it for a couple of days and was extra careful/vigilant of LO nursing on it. After 2-3 days it's now better.
That sucks @shaylalr. I agree with PPs that if you feel formula is right, do it! You could also check with local hospitals or baby stores about getting some donor breastmilk. also, I believe if you continue to pump, it will signal your body to make more milk but maybe check with a LC on that.
I tried pumping after half an hour, then an hour, and then again after 2 hours. Still nothing. I could hand express, but that takes way too long. I am really questioning the pediatrician right now. She has been spitting up A LOT since we started this. I can count the times she has spit up so far on one hand, so this is very unusual for her. We have a lactation appointment tomorrow afternoon. I am hoping that gets us more answers!
@shaylalr good luck with your appointment! I hope the lactation consultant can help you figure out the pumping too. I can only pump first thing in the morning. So I have been getting up at 5am, hoping in the shower for some heat directly on my boobs then I can pump over 4oz. If I try at any other point during the day, nothing!!
Re: Feeding Your Baby
Are they suggesting the formula as a trial while his gut heals and you can try bfing again? A happy fed baby is best, but I totally get how you are feeling!! Hugs!!
Edit: Because I hit post before finishing
Alimentum smells and tastes horrible. I also read that the formula changed recently and many kids who responded before stopped responding to the new formula like my LO. Make sure to rinse the bottles soon after they drink it, I noticed it left a stain on my glass bottles if I left it sitting for too long.
For the past week or so William has been doing this grunting/ straining thing like he's struggling to poop. He passes small amounts of gas when he does it but doesn't seem bloated at all and isn't crying from gas pains. He's not constipated and is still having normal wet and dirty diapers. He hasn't had anything but breast milk and I haven't eaten anything different. I can't figure it out but he seems really uncomfortable (but not crying) and it's difficult to watch. Bicycling his legs doesn't seem to help.
Could this be an allergy??
I considered not bringing this up because I know I've been the worry wart about everything vaccine related every time shots are coming up for us, but I've been doing a lot of research since this allergy has come up and have found a lot of studies about a correlation between vaccines and allergies in some kids. One of the studies specifically talked about dairy sensitivity being linked to the DTaP and HIB and mentioned one of the reactions being eczema around the injection, which is exactly what happened to P. My doctor didn't know what the rash was from when we took him in for it, his only guess was that maybe P was sensitive to the alcohol swab before the shot. P is scheduled to get the next round of those shots on Monday and DH and I are trying to get those delayed until we can resolve this allergy issue and get Ps intestinal tract or whatever healed up and the allergen pinpointed before going ahead with the next round. I know nobody has really come to absolute conclusions on vaccines and their side effects, but has anyone heard of these studies or have your pediatricians talked about it with you other moms dealing with allergies? When I asked the nurse today on the phone she said we could talk to the doc about it on Monday, but I don't think she really liked the idea so my guess is they won't be on board, but we'll see. Just curious if anyone else has seen or heard anything like that!
Edit: Solids and supplementing are at my Pediatrician's request. She went from 50th to 5th percentile during her past two check ups.
I was fully prepared to have to stand my ground with DH's grandpa , that he can't feed him food on Thanksgiving (DH fully backs this, I'm just scarier than him lol) because that's the way he is. Apparently babies make people stupid, because that is the side of my family who are usually amazing about boundaries and parents choices!
Edited to add words.