TF with multiple allergies.... HELP!!!

[Hethir Songstad]

We just found out today that my 2 year old son is not only allergic to dairy but also eggs, gluten and corn. He also has severely low (as in zero) blood iron stores in his body and is apparently on the "verge of trouble". I just don't get it! We did everything "right" (delayed solids, especially grains, extended breastfeeding [still], started him on healthy, NT foods right from the get go). Anyone else been here? How does something like this even happen? I'm feeling like a big failure, especially about the anemia. Also, does anyone have any tips for providing an extremely nourishing, nutrient rich diet with such restrictions? Thanks!!!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention, I'm 8 months pregnant! Talk about bad timing to change our entire meal line-up! Any ideas for EASY TF meals that I can serve in the months post partum? Thanks!

[mamaspirit]

I'm sorry about your child's food issues!  That can be so discouraging, especially in the beggining.  I have 4 kids and 2 of them have food sensitivities and allergies.  My 3 year old daughter was extremely ill last year, lost 6 pounds in 2 months, stopped growing, had severe PICA and had hemolytic anemia which is a rare type of anemia in which the red blood cells are destroyed faster than the bone marrow can make new ones.  She was in the hospital for long periods of time and we almost lost her a couple times.  She had to have frequent blood transfusions.  In January of this year, we discovered that on top of a sensitivity to gluten and dairy she also had a severe allergy to corn which was causing a lot of her symptoms.  We went completely grain free in January and since than she has gained 16 pounds (she weighed only 21 pounds in Jan) and has grown 3 inches, she hasn't had to have another blood transfusion since the end of November, and she is doing absolutely fabulously! 

She was my child who always had TF food from the beggining. She didn't have solids until she was 10+ months, I am still breastfeeding her, etc, and she still had these food issues.  I don't know the answer.  I do know that our diet has worked extremely well for our whole family.

We eat pretty much primal/paleo.  A lot of bone broths, stocks, meat and veggies.  We don't do dairy or grains, and we limit our nuts.  There is a thread here in TF's on Primal Families and it has a lot of great info.

Good luck!  I hope that restricting these foods helps!

[mamaspirit]

I also wanted to add that I think it is amazing that you are searching for the right help for your child.  I know of too many parents that aren't willing to explore different food options for their children even in cases of illness.  Kudos to you for keeping your child's best interest at heart!!!