Experiences weaning DC with allergies?

[capsgirl08]

Hi, all---I posted this in the allergies forum, but haven't heard any responses...Just wondering if there will be any thoughts here.

DS is 20 months old and still nursing strong. I am not ready to wean, and neither is DS. But DH and I think now would be a nice time to try for another baby. Of course, there are a lot of variables as to whether or not that will happen...

One thing I constantly think about, though, is what will we do if my milk dries up? How will DS's body react to switching from breastmilk to something else? (And exactly *what* else will we give him???) I have not heard a lot of positive stories of weaning the allergic child, but I would like to hear any/all stories anyway. When did your DC wean (assuming BFing to begin with) and under what circumstances? What changes, if any, did you observe? How did you alter DC's diet to compensate for the lack of breastmilk?

I know that my milk drying up during pregnancy does not necessarily mean the end to his nursing...I've read a lot of positive tandem nursing experiences, but I still have concerns. Anyway, I've just had this on my mind for a while and thought this was the best place to ask for thoughts. It's all a big what if right now, anyway.

Thank you so much, as always!

[LadyCatherine185]

We have been thinking about trying for another sometime soon as well, and my DS is sensitive to cow's milk. IMO, as long as they are close to 2 years old, and eating a good variety of solids, if your milk does dry up it will be ok.

We have been experimenting with different milks, in case I do get pg and my milk dries up, I have no intention to wean. We tried goat's milk first, and DS was getting bad diarrhea and diaper rash... We tried rice milk next and he wouldn't drink it.. then i tried vanilla rice milk and he LOVED it. He does eat a lot of solids now, and is not a picky eater (thankfully!) so I feel like if my milk did dry up he will be just fine.

Just my opinion/experience!

[capsgirl08]

Thank you, Catie. We have had similar experiences with trying alternatives, although I haven't tried goats' milk. DS liked hemp milk, but only in small amounts.

(DS is allergic to dairy, and intolerant of gluten. We also avoid soy, eggs, peanuts, treenuts, and do very little corn. He reacted with hives and diarrhea to soy, and I am just very cautious about introducing everything else. He eats a lot of other vegetables, fruits, and protein, though.)

[Kailey's mom]

is he just on breastmilk,no other foods, or eat not enough food to ensure proper development? are you on an elimination diet due to allergies? If so, and you can't find donor milk from somebody else that is on the same elimination diet... I would get a prescription for vanilla elecare to suppliment incase your milk supply decreases, he can always start nursing again after the baby is born. My dd is on elecare, it's hypoallergenic, milk/soy/gluten fee.. It's for kids with severe food allergies. You can't buy it, but insurance will cover it, as well as wic, if the doc writes a prescription. It is an actual life saver for us, since dd has eosiniophilic colitis. She can only eat banana's and potatoes. HTH..