Breastfed baby and eczema

[MyReasons]

Hi all!

I have read the information thread, but would just like a bit of extra advice, if possible!

I have an 11 week old fully breastfed boy who has developed eczema. It started on his face (which has cleared up), his scalp (which has also cleared up not before taking half a head of hair!!), and is now happily creeping down his arms. Today it is looking angrier than ever before.

I have booked him into the GP on Sunday, but would like advice from people who have experienced this, so I know what has worked for others, and what products to ask about and which to avoid at all costs.

My almost 2yo DD has only had the odd spot and we were told just to put on some 1% sigmacort sparingly, but this eczema is a lot more serious, and I want to nip it in the bud if I can.

Up until the other day, I was daily moisturising with Sorbolene, unknowingly making things worse!! A couple of friends put me right on that front, and I have now started bathing and moisturising in Cetaphil. Is this right?

I would love to avoid steroid creams if I can, but I would love to hear from anyone who has been breastfeeding and their baby has developed eczema WHILE being breasfed, not just later down the track. What are the triggers from OUR diets that people have noticed and personally experienced?? I hate to think that I am causing this. All the info says that breastfeeding reduces the chances of eczema down the track, so I feel like all the hard work we have put into feeding is becoming a waste. Sad, really. I won't stop because of all the other good benefits, but it is kinda a kick in the guts.

Anyway, would love to hear from anyone and everyone, particularly those who have had troubles early on like me! Help!

Have a great day...

Jacqui x

[M O P]

hey Jac-
I can't help you, sorry
just wanted to give you and little L a

[MyReasons]

Thanks Kazza!

Yeah, it is a pain in the neck, poor little Lad. His is mild, though, compared to other kids. But, I don't want it to take over!!

Love to you all, catch up VERY soon on Facebook, promise!!

Love,
J x

[JimJamsMum]

Hi, a friend of mine had this problem with her fully breastfed bub. It was really awful, all over him and so itchy and angry. She went to loads of doctors who couldn't help. Then she decided to stop eating dairy products. Eczema cleared up, problem solved. So, it might be something you're eating. Perhaps you might want to see a dietician about going on an elimination diet to see if it helps.

[MyReasons]

Dairy, hey? I do have cereal in the morning, and about 6 cups of Decaf coffee with milk during the day. Maybe I do overdo it a little.

Thank you, will take that on board, and cut that back!! Thanks for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it. It is heartbreaking to see a perfect little boy turn into a red, itchy mess. As I said, his is minor at the moment, but it has developed very quickly, and another week and he could be covered, like I was as a baby.

I just spoke to my Mum, and she said that when I was a baby and in the same situation, she was told that if she wasn't breastfeeding it would be so much worse. So the breastfeeding maybe doing some good after all!!

Thanks again for taking the time to reply , anyone else?

[didlesdines]

I had the same problem, all of mine had eczema but he was the worst but the only breastfeed (long story) We had to go to the paed, it was so bad, not much the only thing I did with him was switch to cloth nappies and not bathe him as often and cover him in cream all the time.

[Areca]

Dairy definitely!

DD1 (bf for 14 months) - had one spot of eczema appear on her cheek and no matter what it wouldn't go away. It was there from about 4 months old until she had an allergic reaction to baby yoghurt at 9 1/2 months. I cut dairy out of my diet and it cleared up instantly.

DD2 (EBF at 5 months) - started to come out with eczema on her face, chest and back at about 4 months. I have cut out dairy, egg, fish and ham (and haven't had nuts for ages....DD1 is allergic to dairy, eggs and nuts and we get obvious eczema flare ups after fish and ham) and it has improved heaps but is still here. I spoke to my paed about her eczema and because it is not bad now and she isn't bothered by it we are just treating it externally.

Bf'ing is the best thing you can do for a baby with intolerances/allergies. My paed is hopeful that DD2 will simply outgrow these intolerances (won't call them allergies just yet) and we can safely challenge her every month by me having fish for dinner and then waiting to see what happens. We're not trying to eliminate her eczema completely cause whilst she's not bothered by it and we can treat it externally the small exposure to the food that she is intolerant to will hopefully help build up resistance. We would not be able to do this if she was formula fed.

Altering your diet isn't the easiest thing ever but it is worthwhile! And I know it's really easy to beat yourself up but don't! If it is a food allergy that is causing this and dairy is the biggest trigger imagine how much pain he would be in if he was on formula, which is cow's milk based!


Some doctor's like to think that food allergies don't show up like that but it does happen so if your GP tells you to not worry about altering your diet find another GP! It isn't going to hurt and you should notice improvements in about a weeks time.

Dairy, egg and nut allergies often go together. Vitasoy and Smooth white are (IMO) the best tasting soy milks on the market. If you haven't had soy it will take a bit to get used to it (in your coffee etc.) but I have found that you can not taste vita-soy or smooth white in cooking. You can buy dairy free butter (nuttelex is one brand) from your supermarket and you can get egg replacer (if you need it) from health food shops! Makes cooking easier!


I aboslutely hated soy milk....it's now my milk of choice (and not because it has to be!)


Oh and So Good chocolate ice-cream is delicious!!!! Let it melt a little and get past the first couple of mouthfuls (they taste like straight soy)....it's really yummy!


ETA - It may not be food allergies at all but it's an easy thing to test out by elimination. At 11 weeks old don't bath him every day. He doesn't need it and it just dries their skin out.

[punkbaby]

I agree with the above

I would also write down everything you use, from washing detergent to food. I agree with the dairy though try eliminate that and then gradually build it up again. My middle two get it horribly even just cuddling someone they flare up its like Dont cuddle please!! We dont use sorbolene either it just makes things worse, the only thing i use is either hamiltons or qv oil, moisturisor and wash. For washing clothes we use amolin or soap nuts. We have had to resort to cold wraps and the steroid cream use but usually if we keep on top of things we can get away with not using it dd3 is the worst and is constantly breaking out in it its horrible. My little black book i started with ds has been a bible to me and its also handy to take along to the doctors as well so they can take a look.
I would spend a week writing down everything that you eat and everything you use and then eliminate a few things that have the same ingredients each week and see if it makes things better, then you have something to pin point as well too. Its finding the triggers that are the hardest once you find that it makes it so much easier, not that it gets easier but a little relief fora few days is heaven around here

[loui999]

Hi
My advice is to cut out all the guesswork, trialling creams and restrictive diets etc. Get a referral to a paed allergist and get some testing done. Having said that, in the meantime you can try an elimination diet - dairy, eggs, nuts, wheat, fish. But please get some advice from a dietician before doing this. It is very hard and you will need to take some supplements.
I suspected dairy with my son but he actually has an egg allergy with intolerances to chemicals. I eliminated dairy with no improvement. I too was BFing and had to go on a strict diet to accomodate all of his issues. It may not be diet related at all but an environmental trigger.
DS developed eczema while breastfed at 3.5 months and I fed him till 9 months. BFing is not always the best thing you can do for bubs with allergies/intolerances - esp if there are multiple ones. You end up making yourself ill and run down with the restrictions. But you really need to know what you are dealing with first. The eczema may not necessarily be worse if you were not BFing. Depends on what the triggers are.
Cortisone creams are useful tools to help reduce suffering. Eczema is itchy. Don't avoid because of scare tactics. Other over the counter 'miracle' creams are a waste of money. I moisturise with emulsifying ointment.

[shed]

Yep, I agree with the dairy comments.

Also, if you can cast your mind back, if you noticed it get worse after the baby's vaccinations then you might want to consider delaying the next lot. My friend's baby has eczema and she noticed that it would get worse after each lot of shots.