Milk Allergy

[TeenyT]

Hi all

My bub arrived two weeks early and developed jaundice shortly after birth causing her to dehydrate due to being so sleepy and not feeding. The jaundice has since been treated but Erin had a poo shortly after which contained a bit of blood and mucous and they now tell me that she may have an allergy to milk and that I need to cut all dairy products out of my diet. This seems quite drastic as it hasnt been definitely confirmed she has it. (Infection has pretty much been ruled out as another possible cause.) I am becoming quite disillusioned with breastfeeding due to all the dramas as I thought you breastfed to help your baby avoid allergies!! :(

Has anyone else had similar problems and also how long does this milk allergy last if she does indeed have it? Is it a life long thing or do they simply outgrow the condition?

[Goosie22]

Hi TennyT,

Just a question was the blood imbeded in the poo? or was it just visable on the nappy bright or dark? And while being treated for Jaundice did she recieve any formula?

This (http://www.health-e-learning.com/articles/Lactose.pdf) link goes to an article on early exposure to Cows milk protien an may help explain what is happening and gives stratagies to help improve your outcome.

:)

[jarrahsmumma]

Hang in there!:thumbsup:

try the exclusion diet for 2 weeks and see if there are any changes in her.

some babies can be lactose intolerent but they can still enjoy mums milk, you give drops (called LOSEC) and it helps them digest the milk protien.

i am unsure from your post if they think she is allergic to the milk THROUGH you or if indeed it is just human breastmilk that she cannot tolerate. either way it can be fixed.

I would suggest calling an ABA counsellor to point you in the right direction.
http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/index.html
there is not cost to this service

[MammaMia]

I am a mum who is now dairy free. Basically, my daughter is allergic to cow's milk protein.... which is different to being lactose intolerant.

For a start, it is simpler to deal with.... lactose is in our BF milk, formula, cow's milk etc. It is exceptionally rare for an infant to be truly intolerant to lactose. They need it for brain development.

Allergies to cow's milk protein is much more common and is usually diagnosed by symptoms.. mucus/blood on poo being a key symptom.

Sounds lucky to have picked it up so quickly before your little one experiences the cramping and pain from the allergy, and the allergy adversely affects the gut.

Going dairy-free is relatively easy. I've been doing it for a month and have adjusted much better than I would have expected.:thumbsup:

If you are interested Robyn Noble has some interesting articles for further information... http://www.health-e-learning.com/articles/Lactose.pdf

There are other terms used which basically mean cow's milk protein so you do need to start reading the labels but I can PM them for you if you like.

I expect my daughter to beallergic to cow's milk protein for life but there are degrees of intolerance which time will show.

There could be much worse things - like the peanut allergy:eek:

[TeenyT]

[QUOTE=Goosie22]Hi TennyT,

Just a question was the blood imbeded in the poo? or was it just visable on the nappy bright or dark? And while being treated for Jaundice did she recieve any formula?

It was imbeded in the poo, like a seeded mustard appearance with red blobby bits. She did have formula top ups intermittently for the Jaundice period - I think they used the Nan formula. I sure hope that its a formula problem rather that a true milk allergy for her sake.

Unfortunately they havent specified whether they think its an allergy to Cows milk protein or lactose intolerance so I am being told to prepare for either. Soy milk isnt so bad but I guess I was a little distressed when the dietician handed me this huge form with what I couldn't eat and it contained half the foods known to mankind. There was also some information that babies suffering milk allergy can also be allergic to eggs and peanuts. Sometimes I think dieticians just like to scare people!

Thanks MammaMia for the link. Will read up on the subject a little more.

[Goosie22]

Soy milk isnt so bad but I guess I was a little distressed when the dietician handed me this huge form with what I couldn't eat and it contained half the foods known to mankind. There was also some information that babies suffering milk allergy can also be allergic to eggs and peanuts. Sometimes I think dieticians just like to scare people!


When you are reading the link(Mama Mia and I posted the same link just saying to save you time looking at both) it goes into the posibility of Soy causing just a server reactions, so please be careful. The paper also suggest a time frame for exclusive Breastfeeding to repair the gut. I have not had to deal with this personally though I am sure it is a different kettle of fish coming face to face with this problem.

Wish you well:)