GI doc recommendation is an allergy to bm and to stop bfing X posted in allergy

[moonlight mom]

My dd has occasional specks of blood in her stools and occasional mucus poops. Other than that she is healthy, happy and growing and most of her stools are normal. I have been on the elimination diet and never truly made it to baseline but saw significant improvements when I started taking probiotics and digestive enzymes.
The GI doc that we saw disagrees that the enzymes help or that she is intolerant of anything in my diet. She thinks dd is allergic to human milk protein and that there is nothing I can do about the situation. The obvious recommendation is to change to formula and she can't believe I haven't done that yet. She would also like to do a GI probe to assess the damage.
I don't think I am going to follow up, but would like some advice on stopping breastfeeding.

[LadyCatherine185]

Wow, can humans really be allergic to human milk protien? I think if she were, you would see a LOT of bloody/mucousy poops and other symptoms. Sounds like you need to get a new GI doc, because this one doesn't sound like they know what they are talking about.

[sehbub]

Read this, mama. If I were you I'd most definitely be seeking a second opinion, and one from a doc who understands the importance of breastfeeding.

It should be noted that a milk protein allergy usually only develops in infants and toddlers below the age of two. Those who do have the allergy usually outgrow it about the time they turn two. Further, while this dairy allergy is fairly common, it only applies to cow's milk and perhaps milk taken from other species. Mother's milk, or human milk, often does not spark an allergic reaction. This is one reason why natural breastfeeding is often recommended as the first option by most pediatricians.

The symptoms of a milk protein allergy vary widely from person to person as the immune system reacts in different ways to this outside stimuli. In some cases, severe abdominal pains may be felt. A rash may develop and the body may become extremely itchy. There could also be diarrhea and vomiting. If it is truly a milk protein allergy, this will likely happen after nearly every feeding, which should help determine a diagnosis relatively quickly.

[3girls1boy]

not a medical expert, but I can't imagine how a human could be allergic to human milk protein--just doesn't make any sense. Also if this was the case, how could your baby possibly be growing adequately?

Also remember that most doctors get one lecture (if they are lucky) on breastfeeding in their whole time training, and not extensive training on nutrition either.

Also were you nursed or did you get formula? A lactation consultant once told me that mothers who were nursed have less problems with their babies being sensitive to something in their milk. This makes sense because people who were nursed have digestive systems that developed normally and formula often causes damage (I believe one reason is the very high levels of iron in formula that need to be added because the iron is not absorbed as completely as the iron in human milk) that leads to a digestive system that will "leak" stray proteins that are eaten and these can affect the mother's milk.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

If it where a allergy to your milk you would see the problems all the time and not just on occasion. That is so odd that the GI Dr. would even say that.

No way would I consider weaning onto formula. I would however keep up with the elimination diet and I bet you will see more improvement. A GI probe would be the last possible thing I would do that is way to invasive in this situation IMO.

[moonlight mom]

THanks for the advice. I have decided not to stop bfing and to cancel my follow up appointment. I was stunned by her reaction since my dd was blood free for 4 months and had a small amount a couple of weeks ago that I think was related to accidental exposure to dairy.
It is very interesting about moms that are nursed. I was a soy formula baby and have been healing my own digestive issues with the help from the ladies on the allergies forum. I try to think of this experience as healing for both my daughter and myself.
I don't even think I am going to go to another GI specialist just yet. What I was doing was working and I am just going to start doing it again and trust my own instinct. Thanks for all your help and advice. It is so nice to be reassured.

[Claire and Boys]

The only way that is possible is if the baby has galactosemia. In which case she would be allergic to ALL milk proteins not just your milk and would need an elemental formula. I'm also pretty sure she would not be growing adequately in this case. As far as I am aware it is impossible to be allergic to human milk and not other milks as well.

[Megan73]

I think you're making the right decision. She wouldn't be healthy, happy and growing if she is "allergic" to your milk. I WISH doctors would just admit they don't know anything about breastfeeding and try to get the right information from someone who does!

[FullMetalMom]

Originally Posted by Claire and Boys

The only way that is possible is if the baby has galactosemia. In which case she would be allergic to ALL milk proteins not just your milk and would need an elemental formula. I'm also pretty sure she would not be growing adequately in this case. As far as I am aware it is impossible to be allergic to human milk and not other milks as well.

Galactosemia is actually an allergy to milk sugar, not milk protein. I've never ever heard of a child being allergic to human milk protein, doesn't sound like anyone else here has either. I would seriously have asked that doctor for resources to investigate such a crazy, bizarre "diagnosis".

[tayndrewsmama]

I'd see another doc for sure. When dd was about 6 months old I stupidly tried rice cereal with her. After the fourth try we ended up having to take her to the ER. The doc there actually told me that she must be allergic to breastmilk and that I should mix the cereal with apple juice instead. Needless to say, I dropped the rice cereal and have since learned that was a bad idea anyway.

[sehbub]

Originally Posted by moonlight mom

THanks for the advice. I have decided not to stop bfing and to cancel my follow up appointment. I was stunned by her reaction since my dd was blood free for 4 months and had a small amount a couple of weeks ago that I think was related to accidental exposure to dairy.
It is very interesting about moms that are nursed. I was a soy formula baby and have been healing my own digestive issues with the help from the ladies on the allergies forum. I try to think of this experience as healing for both my daughter and myself.
I don't even think I am going to go to another GI specialist just yet. What I was doing was working and I am just going to start doing it again and trust my own instinct. Thanks for all your help and advice. It is so nice to be reassured.

Yeah, I forgot to mention that the bloody, mucousy stools sound exactly like how my son presented with his dairy allergy. That and eczema.

Good luck to you!

[chirp]

Originally Posted by Claire and Boys

The only way that is possible is if the baby has galactosemia. In which case she would be allergic to ALL milk proteins not just your milk and would need an elemental formula. I'm also pretty sure she would not be growing adequately in this case. As far as I am aware it is impossible to be allergic to human milk and not other milks as well.

not impossible...but EXTREMELY rare. get a second opinion. one that includes an actual allergy test.

a BIG indicator of milk allergy (human or other) is failure to thrive. you said your child is thriving. so in all likelihood it's something else.