Dairy allergy... Looking for info...

[Hethir09]

I guess the main thing I'm looking for is basic dairy allergy information. At what point and how do you reintroduce it to a toddler? Do they outgrow it? What can happen if they eat the dairy anyway? Any thoughts on raw dairy and how it pertains to allergies?

A little background: Jericho has always been pretty 'nasaly'. His ped told us it was normal and the a lot of babies have this issue since they're bodies are immature. When Jericho was a year old, I took him to an ND instead. I pointed out a rash on Jericho's back, she noticed that he was breathing through his nose and she suggested we cut out dairy. I quite giving it to him and quite eating it myself (I'm still BFing). The last two or so months, I've been totally sneaking the dairy. Cheese, sour cream, butter... Who can resist?! Jericho's rash hasn't came back (except for one day when I TOTALLY overdid the cheese) and his nasaly-ness has pretty much always been the same (He's been cutting teeth pretty much nonstop for the last 4 months).

Does that mean that I can safely eat minimal amounts of dairy?

Thanks for any info!!!

[changingseasons]

At what point and how do you reintroduce it to a toddler?

Most people recommend leaving it out of your diet(s) for at least 6-12 months before reintroducing. That way the digestive system has a chance to mature and heal.

Do they outgrow it?

Some do, some don't.

What can happen if they eat the dairy anyway?

Well, that completely depends on what type of allergy you're talking about. If you're talking about a dairy intolerance, it might just make them sick- upset digestion, eczema, problems sleeping, behavior changes, etc. If you're talking about a "true" (IgE/anaphylactic)

allergy, then they can get hives or other immediate reaction up to anaphylactic shock and death. Have you seen an allergist and had testing done?
Any thoughts on raw dairy and how it pertains to allergies?

For people with lactose intolerance, raw dairy can be fantastic, because it contains more lactase (which helps digest the lactose.) For

some people with a dairy intolerance, raw milk is easier to digest. For those with a true allergy, raw makes absolutely no difference, because your body is reacting to the protein in the food.
Does that mean that I can safely eat minimal amounts of dairy?

Not necessarily. If you know for a fact that dairy causes a reaction (like a rash), then I would be on the lookout for other symptoms that you might not associate with an allergy- changes in sleep patterns, behavior, excess ear wax, dark circles under the eyes, etc. If there are truly NO other symptoms, then yes, sounds like some dairy is ok. Are you keeping a food journal?

[jenfl]

All of those things are going to vary from person to person.

My DD was dairy intolerant -- she didn't have an IgE allergy (like can be detected with skin or blood tests), but any amount of dairy in my diet or hers caused her terrible abdominal pain and mucousy stools.

We both stayed dairy-free (except for a few slip-ups that proved our case). Our allergist told us to wait 6-12 months between trials to allow her gut to heal. Repeated exposures could cause more damage and make her react more strongly.

At 2, she was able to eat trace dairy. At 2.5, she was able to go all-out (pizza! ice cream!).

The gold standard is food trials and symptom observation. The best thing you can do is stop ALL dairy for a few weeks (2-4), and then do a food/symptom diary.

[Alyantavid]

I agree, it varies alot. We cut out dairy completely when my youngest was 18 months. He's now 4.5 and can't eat anything with milk in it. Like baked foods that have had milk added. He reacts, a little slower than he used to, but he does react. Cheese, he can handle just fine, though I've only ever tried small amounts.

[Hethir09]

THANK you guys for your input!! Sorry it took me so long to write back, I almost forgot that I posted on here! I'm finding that I'm sooo confused about this!

Here's a bit more info: Jericho's regular pediatrician has always noticed that he has had nasal drainage. He told us it was normal because of immature nasal passages. Around 10 months Jericho developed the beginning of eczema on his back on jaw line. Around 13 months it was pretty red and I brought it up to his new doctor; a naturopath. She brought up the fact that those symptoms were most likely allergy related and suggested I give up dairy to see if the eczema went away. Sure enough, it did! But the drainage never did (he's been constantly teething so it could be that.

Should I go to an allergist? Also, what are your thoughts about goat's milk and cheese?

Thank you guys!!!!!!