Probiotic recommendation/help with solids for my 6 month old eczema baby...

[hobaby]

My DS has had eczema since he was 4 month old and he is now 6 month old.
I heard probiotics might help with eczema.
I had breastfed him exclusively since birth, but started supplementing formula about a month ago-regular kind formula; enfamil, similac, etc. (My milk supply went low after eliminating common allergy related foods-dairy, gluten, soy, corn, etc etc) Elimination doesn't seem to help much with his eczema. He still gets rashes on his face and body-it comes and goes. He also suffers from itchness.
He didn't start solids yet, but plan to start very soon.
I heard good reviews on Kirman and Pharmax probiotics. Can somebody recommend probiotics for my DS? Either from those company or any others?
Also, does anybody have tips on starting solids for eczema baby?
Thank you so much for your help.

[mamafish9]

I think it's important to figure out what he's reacting to now, before you add in solid foods (that can make the picture far more confusing).

Many babies who are allergic to dairy also react to formula (the proteins are somewhat predigested, but not enough in many cases). There are lots of us here who have done elimination diets and maintained our milk supply - it can be tricky at first while you figure out what to eat, but it can definitely be done. Lots of fat (it may feel like ridiculous amounts!) helps a lot.

When you eliminated the top intolerance foods, how was your babe?

[hobaby]

Thanks for your reply. As for the elimination, I'm not even sure if he's allergic to them, but I just did based on general allergic foods. He seem to be very well on some days and then have flare ups or seems to itch more on other days. It doesn't seem to have a pattern so I'm not even sure if it's food related at this point. There are many 'good' days even with the formula, so I suspect he is ok with it. Probiotics seems to be good for the health in general(also might help with the eczema), so I thought I would give it a try.

[mamafish9]

If it flares up on some days, not others, then can you food journal and find a relationship (probably to something you ate in the previous 24 hours, but could be longer). The other potential culprit is a food chemical like salicylates (very high in most fruit, almonds, tomatoes...), where reaction can depend on how much you eat. If you could give a list of food you ate in the 24 hours before a recent flare, that might help.

[DevaMajka]

I 2nd the food journal. If there is more than one allergy/intolerance, or if the sensitivity is a food chemical (like salicylates), it would be really hard to see a pattern without a food journal.

As far as probiotics, it seems like they are pretty safe for babies. I'm using udo's choice infant probiotics for ds, but I'm having a hard time getting much into him because he doesn't drink anything from a sippy cup yet.

[mamafish9]

I just put probiotic powder on my finger and wipe it in my son's mouth, it works fine.

DevaM, the Udo's Choice stuff has milk and soy in, I think (and maltodextrin in the infant one, which I think can be trace corn). None of which may be an issue for your son, but just wanted to put it out there in case you decide he is reactive to any of those foods.

[DevaMajka]

I knew the milk and soy (I'm pretty sure he's fine with those), but didn't know about the possibility of corn (which I haven't trialled yet). Thanks! I'll keep it in mind in relation to any reactions.

[MandyB]

I don't have much advice for you since I pretty much could have written this post myself! My son has had HORRIBLE eczema since about 1-2 months old (he's almost 6 months). It finally got so bad that I recently requested his pediatrician do a blood test for allergies. I had tried eliminating foods as well, but it left me confused with the results as the eczema cycled from okay to worse, to better and then worse again! Just got the results back today and he has a peanut allergy. I was very surprised by this since the only "peanut" I eat is as a hidden ingredient in other foods. Have you thought about having him tested for allergies? At least now I feel like I have SOME answers and can start eliminating all peanut from my diet. I was also going to try giving him a probiotic, and am interested in hearing all of the responses. Good luck!