New here...need some direction/guidance

[Om Girl]

Hi mamas/pappas...
I'm new here to allergy territory. My dd 5mo was just diagnosed with acute dairy/soy allergy after a severe reaction to dairy based formula (no flames please my breast pump broke and DH was desperate, she reacted with her 1st powdered formula bottle).
So now I'm on the hunt for information on allergies.

DD is exclusively breastfed and I haven't eliminated anything from my diet. Dr.'s didn't advise me to change my diet, but I think maybe I should.
DD has chronic eczema on her cheeks she's had since 1 month old. (Big sister had eczema too, but hers cleared at 9mo) Her face cleared up completely for a period of two whole days when we were on vacation and I'm still trying to figure out why.

I eat all foods, meat, dairy and eggs. I've noticed her eczema flares when I eat dairy so I've been avoiding dairy. I've also noticed her belly hurts when I eat dairy and she gets constipated.

*by eczema I mean her cheeks are red with un-broken skin that's slighted raised/rashed look.
**by flared I mean her eczema has become "blistered" and itchy.

Her eczema usually stays localized to her cheeks, occasionally to behind her ears and on her belly and only once has strayed to behind her knees/elbows.

So parents....I need/want resources (websites, books, diets, etc.)
TIA
Summer

[Catt75]

What was her reaction to the formula? ?It sounds like dairy should go for sure. Try eliminating all forms of dairy as a start.

[kjbrown92]

Do they know it's an allergy vs. an intolerance by the reaction to the formula?

So the doctor said you didn't have to avoid dairy, but you have been anyway - is that right? You said you haven't eliminated anything from your diet but you've been avoiding dairy. I'd say avoid ALL dairy and it's derivatives. Then you may as well avoid soy too if that's a problem. Though my DS reacted through my BM to milk, he reacted to soy only on direct ingestion, but he probably would've been better off if I'd taken soy out of my diet as well (since he's almost 9yo and still has the intolerance).

See if that gets rid of her eczema. And get your pump fixed (or use your hand; it's free!) so you don't have to worry about formula. When my DS weaned unexpectedly, we had to use Neocate because he couldn't tolerate anything else, and 8 years ago it was like $800/month! BM is cheaper and healthier, especially for sensitive babies.

[mtn.mama]

I'd pull all dairy and soy from your diet and see where that takes you. Then if its not enough progress, try eliminating the top 8 to find baseline.

Are you and baby on quality dairy/soy free probiotics? How is your vitamin D?

[Om Girl]

Thanks so much for your responses:

Originally Posted by Catt75

What was her reaction to the formula? ?It sounds like dairy should go for sure. Try eliminating all forms of dairy as a start.

She reacted with hives and facial/extremity swelling along with swelling in her mouth/cheeks.

Originally Posted by kjbrown92

Do they know it's an allergy vs. an intolerance by the reaction to the formula?

It is a true allergy not just an intolerance, and it was just to the dairy based powdered formula. Though they said to avoid soy based formulas too.

So the doctor said you didn't have to avoid dairy, but you have been anyway - is that right?

I have been avoiding dairy but not it's derivatives.

And get your pump fixed (or use your hand; it's free!) so you don't have to worry about formula.

Going to buy an electric pump today as insurance just denied my prior authorization.

Originally Posted by mtn.mama

I'd pull all dairy and soy from your diet and see where that takes you. Then if its not enough progress, try eliminating the top 8 to find baseline.

Are you and baby on quality dairy/soy free probiotics? How is your vitamin D?

Need to start on Vitamin D for myself (don't do probiotics ATM) do you have any good recc's for Vit D?

[kjbrown92]

www.giprohealth.com has dairy/soy free probiotics (and non-dairy yogurt starter). I get my Vitamin D from Vital Nutrients (no soy/dairy).

[dannic]

Since you asked for books...I wish that Healing the New Childhood Epidemics, Bock had been around when I first began this journey! It has many pieces of the puzzle in one place--not the be-all, end-all, but a good place to start! I also like _Digestive Wellness for Children_, Lipski. The Whole Foods Alergy Cookbook has family style, allergen (mostly) free recipes. HTH!

With a pump on hand, it'll be easy for you to have some BM in the freezer! That'll be so nice! (Tho, for me, hand expressing came easier for some odd reason!) Welcome to the forum!

[Catt75]

Originally Posted by Om Girl

Thanks so much for your responses:


She reacted with hives and facial/extremity swelling along with swelling in her mouth/cheeks.


It is a true allergy not just an intolerance, and it was just to the dairy based powdered formula. Though they said to avoid soy based formulas too.

I have been avoiding dairy but not it's derivatives.


Going to buy an electric pump today as insurance just denied my prior authorization.


Need to start on Vitamin D for myself (don't do probiotics ATM) do you have any good recc's for Vit D?

Oh my gosh...please avoid all dairy and it's derivitives. That is a true allergy (my DD has the same). Did they give an epi pen?

Dairy derivitives include:

casein
whey (Gise)
caramel color (need to call companies to determine for sure if it is dairy as it can be derived from other things)
caseinates
cheese, milk solids, yogurt, sour cream, buttermilk
butter, artificial butter flavor, curds
ice cream, sherbert
lactalbumin, lactoglobulin
lactose, lactulose
many margarines (check label)
nougat

For a probiotic I use this for baby
http://www.sisu.com/sisu/products/pr...ub=1003&id=227

for vit d I use CLO for both baby and I

[Om Girl]

Originally Posted by dannic

Since you asked for books...I wish that Healing the New Childhood Epidemics, Bock had been around when I first began this journey! It has many pieces of the puzzle in one place--not the be-all, end-all, but a good place to start! I also like _Digestive Wellness for Children_, Lipski. The Whole Foods Alergy Cookbook has family style, allergen (mostly) free recipes. HTH!

With a pump on hand, it'll be easy for you to have some BM in the freezer! That'll be so nice! (Tho, for me, hand expressing came easier for some odd reason!) Welcome to the forum!

Thanks for the book resources, I'm going to add them to my Amazon wish list tonight!

Originally Posted by kjbrown92

www.giprohealth.com has dairy/soy free probiotics (and non-dairy yogurt starter). I get my Vitamin D from Vital Nutrients (no soy/dairy).

Good to know, thanks mama!

Originally Posted by Catt75

Oh my gosh...please avoid all dairy and it's derivitives. That is a true allergy (my DD has the same). Did they give an epi pen?

No epi pen, just advised me to watch out and to have Benadryl on hand at all times. I'll ask about the epi pen at our next well child check though.

Dairy derivitives include:

casein
whey (Gise)
caramel color (need to call companies to determine for sure if it is dairy as it can be derived from other things)- this explains why she hates when I drink Coca-Cola. I had thought it was just the caffeine!
caseinates
cheese, milk solids, yogurt, sour cream, buttermilk
butter, artificial butter flavor, curds
ice cream, sherbert
lactalbumin, lactoglobulin
lactose, lactulose
many margarines (check label)
nougat

OMG, now I'm terrified...this is such scary territory. The more I learn the more scared I get.

[kjbrown92]

Originally Posted by Om Girl

OMG, now I'm terrified...this is such scary territory. The more I learn the more scared I get.

Have a plan. Knowledge + preparation reduces fear.

[Chinese Pistache]

Originally Posted by kjbrown92

Have a plan. Knowledge + preparation reduces fear.

For sure! You can do it, mama. There are several sites out there with alternate dairy names. Here's one i found: http://web.mit.edu/kevles/www/nomilk...badingredients