Anyone develop food allergies post-partum?

[naztazia]

After I had my baby 20 months ago, I was having alot of issues with what doctors were just calling "IBS" (irritable bowel syndrome). I kept a food diary and saw that certain food was triggering the symptoms. On a whim, I went to an allergist and had the skin test done for food allergies. Lo and behold - I had numerous food allergies. But here's the weird thing - many food items I am allergic to was newly eaten either during pregnancy or during breastfeeding. Like grapes - I hadn't eaten grapes in 10 years - but I ate them during breastfeeding. Now I'm allergic to them. Anyone else develop food allergies either during pregancy, after pregnancy and/or during breastfeeding? Is it some protective mechanism for the baby? I'm very frustrated.

[violafemme]

nak we are having food issues here PP, still trying to sort them out........does you baby have symptoms as well?

[mtn.mama]

YES! Yes, yes, yes. This happened to me. I got hit hard with multiple food and chemical sensitivities as the result of my pregnancy. Now 6 months post partum I almost have a grip. Its been a long road, and has caused my daughter much discomfort while I figured all this out. It's NOT uncommon. It's probably not IBS and its most likely curable. Find yourself a good naturopath and chiropractor (applied kinesiologist) to help you find your way out. Please PM me if you want to talk about this. I know how frustrated you are. Does your baby show signs of food sensitivities?

[naztazia]

The Baby

So far, the baby seems OK, thank goodness.

Originally Posted by mtn.mama

Does your baby show signs of food sensitivities?

[Babytime]

Yes, but only after my second pregnancy! However, I have always had indoor, outdoor and pet allergies, so adding the food was not so shocking. It's strange for me to carry an epi-pen and not be able to order foods I always loved.

[Metasequoia]

Originally Posted by naztazia

After I had my baby 20 months ago, I was having alot of issues with what doctors were just calling "IBS" (irritable bowel syndrome). I kept a food diary and saw that certain food was triggering the symptoms. On a whim, I went to an allergist and had the skin test done for food allergies. Lo and behold - I had numerous food allergies. But here's the weird thing - many food items I am allergic to was newly eaten either during pregnancy or during breastfeeding. Like grapes - I hadn't eaten grapes in 10 years - but I ate them during breastfeeding. Now I'm allergic to them. Anyone else develop food allergies either during pregancy, after pregnancy and/or during breastfeeding? Is it some protective mechanism for the baby? I'm very frustrated.

I don't think it necessarily means that you just recently developed an allergy to grapes. Perhaps you could have been reacting to them all along, but you just never ate them to know.

I just had more testing done today & reacted strongly to cauliflower & green peas - foods I eat once a year, if that.

My theory (not really *mine*, but what I believe) is that it's probably one or two offending foods that you eat frequently enough (usually dairy or gluten, but could be anything) that damaged your gut. Now other foods are leaking through & you're having an immune response to them. It doesn't necessarily mean that you're "allergic" to the, just that your body is "reacting" to them. I think that once you figure out what the problem food/s is/are & remove it, your gut will heal & you'll be able to eat most of the foods that you're reacting to.

Autoimmune issues are common after childbirth though - I do wonder if it adds a twist to the immune response....