Can a baby really be allergic to BM?

[EarthyMamaofDaisy]

I have been pumping for my son since he was born. When he was a few weeks old he started vomiting about once per day. Lately it has increased to several times a day. Has has been on fotified EBM. Yesterday he was admitted to the hospital (for a heart defect) and put on a feeding tube. I didn't have any EBM to leave but just left his formula and said to use that until later when I could bring the EBM. I called the hospital today and he has not vomited once on the formula. I'm going by tonight with the EBM and hopefully he will not vomit that up. My husband suggested he may be allergic to my milk. I sure hope not! Is that really even possible? I have heard of babies being allergic before but always had a hard time believing that could even be possible. Does anyone have any ideas?

[mclisa]

Not allergic to your milk, but allergic to the proteins in your milk that are coming from the foods you are eating. Most commonly, cow's milk that you are drinking. Try an elimination diet. Great info can me found on kellymom.com about that.

So sorry to hear about your little one in the hospital!

[AllieFaye]

It is remotely possible that a human could be allergic to another human. Thus, a baby could have an allergy to a wet nurse, or donated milk. It is not possible to be allergic to one's genetic mother's milk. If there is an allergy, it would be to something in the mother's diet, not the milk protein itself.

[QueenBeeMama]

My DS was lactose-intolerant and it caused horrible constipation for him. As soon as I quit drinking/eatting any cow's milk products he cleared up and was fine! AS he got older he grew out of it and I was able to slowly start adding milk-products back into my diet.

[jmtowne]

I don't think your baby is allergic to your milk but like the others said it's what is in your milk. At 3 weeks my ds was vomiting several times a day, had terrible bloody poops, reflux and was miserable. I went on an elimination diet and as tough as it was initially it has been wonderful. Not only is my ds happier and has some nice normal baby poop but I have lost all my baby weight and more. I agree that kellymom is a wealth of knowledge and so is askdrsears.com Lots of good stuff there about the elimination diet. Also on babycenter there are some good boards for food sensitivities in breast fed babes.

I'd be happy to answer any questions you have too.

[Ruthla]

Originally Posted by QueenBeeMama

My DS was lactose-intolerant and it caused horrible constipation for him. As soon as I quit drinking/eatting any cow's milk products he cleared up and was fine! AS he got older he grew out of it and I was able to slowly start adding milk-products back into my diet.

That's not lactose intolerance- that's allergy or sensitivity to cow's milk proteins.

There is lactose in all milk, human included. Lactose is milk sugar. Many people outgrow the ability to digest lactose after 5yo or so. Sugars in your diet wouldn't get into your milk anyway- only proteins.

[Momtwice]

Lots of info here
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns...nsitivity.html

[Momtwice]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

That's not lactose intolerance- that's allergy or sensitivity to cow's milk proteins.

There is lactose in all milk, human included. Lactose is milk sugar. Many people outgrow the ability to digest lactose after 5yo or so. Sugars in your diet wouldn't get into your milk anyway- only proteins.

:

The link above that I just posted explains this further.