Elimination diet and pumping

[FnkyGreenMama]

I'm still doing the total elimination diet, have been able to add a few foods to my diet as DS's diapers have been symptom-free. However, it looks like the latest addition - avocado - didn't go over so well and today's diaper was not so good (mucous, no blood). I started pumping to try to rebuild my stash, so that I can go to a play on Saturday. I can only get about 2 oz a night, so it's slow going. But of course, the problem now is that the only milk I have is half "good" and half was pumped a few hours after eating avocado. I can't pump tonight because I had a tiny bit of avocado just before he had the bad diaper. I'm not sure that I can pump enough between now and Saturday. I am so bummed When can I start to pump again and be sure the avocado is out? Suggestions? Do I have to cancel (the ticket was a gift)?

[waluso]

It depends on how quickly food gets into and out of your milk and I think it varies by person. Personally I would probably start pumping tomorrow. Also, I would keep the milk from each pumping session seperate and I would ask the sitter to start with the freshest milk and work backwards. Hopefully your DS won't need the milk from earlier in the week. I would also have the sitter record (so you can note in your food journal) which milk he drank and when.

[earthmama4]

Just wanted to say I hear ya...its frustrating. I want to build up a stash of freezer milk after reaching baseline a while ago, but two days ago he had a bad reaction to soy.

What I have been doing since I need to practice pumping and baby needs to get an occasional bottle to prep for me going to work pt in Feb, I just have DH give the milk to the baby same day so the reaction thing won't be confusing. I don't plan on storing any milk long term for now.

I don't think foods like avocado and other fruits and veggies take as long to get out of our milk as dairy and wheat do. If it were me, I would forgo pumping tonight, but pump Wed, Thurs, and Friday night. Then I would individually label them for the sitter with Friday's milk labled "Feed 1st" and Thursday's milk Feed 2nd and save Wednesday's milk for "just in case" he is really hungry. If you have a safe freezer stash, even of just a few ounces more, that would be enough I think for you to be gone for a few hours for a play, and will minimize the chance for a reaction.

Even if he has one bottle that does have a bit of avocado allergen in it, I doubt his reaction would be severe considering you will be breastfeeding him the rest of Saturday with milk that does not contain it. Its not the same as when he is feeding from you all day when you've been eating something he's reactive to. Just don't trial anything else between now and then, just stick to your safe foods for now.

[FnkyGreenMama]

Originally Posted by waluso

It depends on how quickly food gets into and out of your milk and I think it varies by person. Personally I would probably start pumping tomorrow. Also, I would keep the milk from each pumping session seperate and I would ask the sitter to start with the freshest milk and work backwards. Hopefully your DS won't need the milk from earlier in the week. I would also have the sitter record (so you can note in your food journal) which milk he drank and when.

Thanks, that makes sense.

Originally Posted by earthmama4

I don't think foods like avocado and other fruits and veggies take as long to get out of our milk as dairy and wheat do.

This is what I was wondering/hoping. Thanks for the tips.

DH is the sitter, BTW. He's not invited (and gratefully so) to see Dirty Dancing the Musical! LOL