x-post from nutrition: DS milk allergy - should I quit milk?

[erlyco]

I just found out that DS (14 months) has a "class 4" milk allergy. We knew he had a sensitivity (red blotches on skin contact) so we have been staying clear of dairy, but we just go the "official" confirmation from his blood test.

He is still breastfeeding several times a day. I'm just wondering if I should be cutting dairy out of my diet too? I haven't noticed any particular problems in DS, but is the dairy getting into my milk?

Also, I think "class 4" is on the high side, right? Is he likely to outgrow this allergy?

TIA.

[Meiri]

If this is the same scale as used for my allergy RAST tests, the scale goes from 0 to 5, so yes 4 would be serious. I would drop dairy if this was my child.

It gets easier once you're used to it.

[Gidget]

Yep, the more he is exposed to the allergen, the less likely he is to outgrow it. My two younger ones are allergic. April gets eczema and congestion. I didnt know it was the issue until she was almost weaned. With Isaac I noticed right after birth when he would reflux each feeding and was very difficult to get to sleep. I gave i tup right away. All of it, even the hidden dairy. I wont lie, it was VERRRRRRRRYYYY difficult at first. There were times when the temptation to wean was strong, but I knew that not only would I have been selfish, but it would have only made things worse. I hardly think about it now though. In fact, I may stay dairy free after he weans.

[Destinye]

Definitely, it made a huge difference to my dd. I like Rice Dream and Earth Balance spread, the 'cheese' sucks tho! nak sorry short

[pln]

It definitely sounds like the dairy in your diet might be affecting your baby.

Remember that you'll only be breastfeeding this child for a relatively short period of time in your total lifespan and you can always come back to dairy later on if you so choose.

If it's really upsetting to you, maybe then just cutting down on the dosage of dairy that he's getting? Maybe pick one dairy item that you really love and have that once a day, and cut out everything else, in particular milk? Make sure you're getting enough nutrition still from green leafies, maybe enriched soy milk (if you're into that), and other calcium-rich foods.

Good luck!

[velcromom]

My ds gets excema and congestion from dairy, along with tummy upset and gas. I don't drink milk or have ice cream, and I really ought not to have cheese occasionally like I do. When that rash gets started boy is it hard to get rid of. He does fine when the milk in the product is well cooked, I assume this breaks down the proteins that he is sensitive to. It is a good idea to at least cut way back on the dairy. For a while I wondered why ds had a stuffy nose constantly, it was when I went on a chocolate milk binge!!
It seems like the dairy takes a long time to wear off once you stop having it, and the symptoms don't disappear right away so be patient. There are lots of good dairy subs, my ds really likes the almond milk and I like it on cereal too.

[Destinye]

I forgot to add I also used homeopathy to help with the process, she actually seems more tolerant (when I have sneaked something but definitely actual milk was the worst) the homeopathic remedy that helped her was Calc Carb, but it is an individual thing so you might consider seeing a homeopathic practitioner too. I think removing the offending allergen is one thing but also strengthening the body to be more balanced and not so reactive is another. Lucky he is not vaxed too or it probably would be a whole lot worse.

[girlfactory]

My first 2 babies were extremely sensitive to dairy and soy.........so I had to delete both of those items from my diet in order to keep breasfeeding. I won't lie and tell you it's easy; because it takes a lot of work! You HAVE to know all the secret words they use for dairy, you have to do a lot of label reading. In the end though, its worth it. I had a howling screaming baby in a sling for 10 hours a day until I figured out her sensitivities; and once I cut the dairy and soy from her diet, she was a happy baby VERY MUCH WORTH IT!! There's a terrific cookbook called The Dairy-Free Kitchen that I bought at barnes and noble. It will list all the ways dairy is listed in foods and give you yummy alternatives to using it. good luck, and stick to it!!

[littleteapot]

I would cut it out of your diet completely. Like someone else said, you'll be breastfeeding only a few years out of your life, and you can always pick it up later.
Also, have you tried lactaid drops on baby's tongue? My midwife suggested this for milk allergies... I don't know anyone personally who has done it, but she said it works well.

[Meiri]

Lact-aid helps with lactose intolerance, the inability to digest milk due to not having enough of the enzyme in your system to digest the milk sugar lactose, ONLY. As humanmilk is higher in lastose than cow milk, this is not normally a problem for human babies. If baby cannot digest lactose, that's a whole 'nother problem, also not fixable with drops of Lact-aid.

Allergy is a reaction to the proteins in cow milk, some of which get through to nursing child. Lact-aid does NOTHING to those proteins.

As an example: many people with lactose intolerance can eat hard cheeses like cheddar because the lactose is changed or gone. However, a person with an allergy to dairy cannot have those or any other dairy product. One is a sugar and digestion issue, the other a protein and allergy issue.

People often confuse the two, and sometimes it's difficult to tell which might be going on in an older child or adult, but I would expect a midwife to inform herself accurately on this just as I expect docs to be informed about breastfeeding.

[erlyco]

Thanks so much everyone.

I have officially cut out dairy from my diet. I never noticed any reaction in DS when I had dairy, but then again, I've always eaten it, so maybe I will notice something now that I'm cutting it out.

Meiri, thanks, I had been wondering about this. I figured his allergy was different from lactose intolerance since he doesn't get an upset stomach or anything, but I wasn't sure.

I'll miss the cheese and ice cream, but it's a small sacrifice to make for the love of my life.

Thanks again everyone.

[Destinye]

Originally Posted by erlyco

Thanks so much everyone.

I have officially cut out dairy from my diet. I never noticed any reaction in DS when I had dairy, but then again, I've always eaten it, so maybe I will notice something now that I'm cutting it out.

Meiri, thanks, I had been wondering about this. I figured his allergy was different from lactose intolerance since he doesn't get an upset stomach or anything, but I wasn't sure.

I'll miss the cheese and ice cream, but it's a small sacrifice to make for the love of my life.

Thanks again everyone.

Just wanted to say congratulations on your good decision, and also that there are some pretty good substitutes, like Rice Dream, almond milk, oat milk, ice creams made from non dairy, and some other cheeses, the ice cream substitutes, or sorbets are good imo tho have not found a really good cheese substitute yet...anyone? Earth Balance spread is good too as I mentioned before. Some products do have casein in it tho and that can also be an allergen. Take a trip to your local health food store and check out some non-dairy options you might be pleasantly surprised!

Good Luck