Nursing a Baby with a Milk Allergy

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Anyone have any experience with this?

Mason has been having some issues and the Pediatrician suspects that one of his problems may be that he has a milk allergy. I have been nursing and supplementing with formula. The DR told me to switch his formula to Nutramigen and to not nurse him this weekend (to pump to keep my milk up though) to see if that helps his tummy. If that does help then I need to go on a dairy-free diet in order to be able to nurse him.

Tell me about your experiences and what foods you could and could not eat.

Thanks!

 

[happymommy]

My DS is 10 and still milk allergic (he is part of a research study at Johns Hopkins currently) as well as egg allergic. He outgrew peanut and sesame.
When I had DD (now 8) I did my best to avoid dairy. I nursed her till 14 months and she totally was refusing to nurse anymore. Anyway, I had problems with vomiting, diahrea (okay, maybe that is misspelled) and some rashes when I had any dairy. I did the pump and dump for 5 days, and had her take a bottle (she was about 6 months old, had never had a bottle) and she was on a special diahrea formula, dairy free. She ended up testing positive on the RAST for dairy, but her level was extremely low, and she outgrew it at age 2.
First of all, get yourself a GOOD pediatric allergist, and have the baby tested with a blood test (RAST). Second, I believe nutramigen still has milk protein, but I could be wrong. Double check for that.
My son's allegist recently published a book "Food Allergies for Dummies" by Robert Wood, MD. I took a peek into it, and wish that it was out when my DS was diagnosed (he had anaphylaxis at 9 months for trying to introduce a teaspoon of milk into his cereal). I think you can get the book anywhere, and I really would get it!
If you have any more concerns, I am super glad to help, just PM me.
Oh, by the way, I switched to soy milk, and I pretty much only buy it still. Plain meats and rice or simple side dishes. I would ask at restaurants about ingredients. I found a butter-like spread that we love, Earth Balance, it's dairy free and non-hydrogenated, tastes really really good! The list goes on and on, also check out the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network website, and I bought their old cookbook too. Of course we bake all our own cakes, things like that. It can be a pain sometimes, but it's so worth it!
Also, Disneyworld is great for kids and families with food allergies. That is the only place I like to take DS.

 

[allyphoe]

My DD was allergic to both milk and wheat as a baby. It took us 2 months to diagnose her milk allergy, and another 4 months to figure out wheat.

If your baby is sensitive enough that she reacts to the cow's milk proteins that pass through breastmilk, there's a decent chance she'll react to the Nutramigen (which is made with more-broken-down cow's milk protein). If you truly think your baby is that sensitive, and you want to try a different formula, I'd try one of the free-amino-acid ones, like Neocate, which have zero intact proteins.

If I were you, I'd stop using formula completely, and nurse exclusively. If he's still reacting, then go to the trouble of cutting cow's milk protein out of your diet. The vast majority of babies who are allergic to cow's milk based formula are not sensitive enough that they react to the proteins that pass through breastmilk.

If you're supplementing with formula because you're having supply problems, switching to exclusive pumping for a weekend will probably significantly impact your supply. It would be a shame to be stuck formula-feeding if you didn't want to.

I just ate normal food when I was dairy-free; the only special thing I got was Earth Balance dairy-free margarine, because I like butter, and it tastes a lot like butter. I'm not a fan of things that pretend to be other foods, so I didn't switch to soy-based or rice-based substitutes; I just ate regular food that didn't have dairy in it.

 

[graygables]

BTDT. No milk, no cheese, nothing at all with "whey" on the label (who knew Miracle Whip had whey?) No bread unless I made it at home without milk, no coffee creamer, cereal, butter, many soups, sausage, chocolate, nothing with a batter (no fried chicken), pastas, the list goes on.

I got to the point where I was literally eating lettuce, carrots, and celery, and drinking water for 2 weeks and STILL, she was sick. Switched to Nutramigen and within 24 hours, the bloody stools and screaming stopped. The vomiting continued for several years, but we believed that was a seperate cause. Once she hit 8 months and we were introducing solids, we were financially in ruins from the cost of Nutramigen (and the medical bills relating to her "pre-existing condition"...how a NEWBORN has a "pre-existing condition" is beyond me...), so we weaned her over to Good Start and there were no problems at all. We used Good Start w/ DD4 from the moment we saw her starting to have nursing difficulties and she did great on it, too. I will be eternally grateful to Henri Nestle!

 

[happymommy]

The vast majority of babies who are allergic to cow's milk based formula are not sensitive enough that they react to the proteins that pass through breastmilk.QUOTE]

This is actually not correct. Most babies will react to any amount of dairy the mother consumes, if they are truly milk allergic. The only way to assure you are on the right track is to get a true diagnosis with a test.

Also, Neocate is an extremely expensive option. Soy formula may be enough, if the baby isn't soy allergic.

 

[Tosie]

I nursed my milk allergic dd for almost 2 years.

I couldn't eat ANYTHING that contained milk, whey or casein (plus she also had other allergies so I had no eggs, rice, berries, pears or nuts during that time either). No dairy products AT ALL. Nothing that contained any of those ingredients.

Was it hard? Yes.

Was it worth it? Yes. A thousand times yes.

She is 6 now and is still allergic to milk, peanuts and tree nuts. She outgrew everything else.

Van's makes dairy free waffles she enjoys, she likes Tofutti and Rice Dream ice cream.

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

Oh and if your dr tells you the baby is too young to be tested that's a load of crap. My dd was blood tested as a baby and we got some definitive answers from that. Find a good pediatric allergist.

We never experienced the vomiting, etc. She had bad eczema and the first time she had cereal (mixed with formula because I hadn't pumped, and this was before we knew of the allergy) she had an anaphalactic reaction and was in the hospital for 4 days.

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

Obviously I do not know all the background, but I'm suspect of any doc who tells you not to nurse your baby at all...are you supplementing by choice? because EPing for 2 days certainly isn't going to help your supply at all...if anything I'd try to nurse him more as you phase out dairy and cut out the formula since thats the more likely culprit of any issues. My 3.5 year old was EBF and had colic and reflux...so I tried every trick in the book including elminating dairy and "hidden dairy" for 2 weeks, to no avail...some babies are just more sensitive in their digestive systems than others...obviously mother's milk is THE easiest thing for them to digest bar none...there's an elimination diet on Dr. Sears website...
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/t041200.asp

Its not a picnic to eat like this for a couple days...but it could make a HUGE difference....the thing with the dairy is that its not the dairy itself, rather a protien from the dairy thats in your blood...so you have to have a couple weeks with no dairy to see a difference in the breastmilk...some kids have a high level of sensitivity and others are just mildly sensitive....

I'm not trying to sound like a soap-box posting zealot (although I am passionate about BFing if/when at all possible) but there are WAY WAY WAY WAY too many pediatricians out there who don't have a CLUE what they are talking about when it comes to issues pertaining to BFing....again, you'd have to elaborate a little on the issues you're having (gassiness, spitting up, etc etc) but I rarely find its more beneficial NOT to breastfeed and to give formula as an alternative....this is why 75% of moms start out Bfing and only 6% still are BFing at a year....HTH!

 

[K&KsMom]

My DS who is 4 now and has no allergies had a severe milk allergy from birth to age 2. I breastfed him for 8 long miserable weeks. I feel so bad looking back that I had even pushed it that much. ( a little history I bf my first DS for 1 1/2 years so I naturally assumed I would do it with him too!) WRONG! He ended up being hospitalized for 2 weeks. So to make a long story short I switched to Nutramigen and it was our saving grace. Our DS ended up being a happy, content, well fed little boy. Was it hard to stop BFing YES was it worth absolutely. He was on Nutramigen till he was 13 months and then we switched to soy milk for another year. By the time he was a little over 2 he did not display a milk allergy.
Hope this helps. Good luck and pm me if you have any questions

 

[emh1129]

There is another mom here who went through the exact same thing, from what I recall. DisneyPhD- she'd be very helpful, so hopefully she'll stop by soon
She eliminated those foods from her diet and was able to continue nursing her daughter for a wonderful 2 yrs.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I really appreciate all of the input! We are also huge Dr Sears fans so thanks to the poster for that link!!

Little background - I nursed my oldest DD for over a year and my younger DD for almost 2 years with very little problems. DS is another story. He had latching issues from birth so the Pediatrician (in our old town - we just moved from SC to MD) performed a lingual frenectomy to give his tongue more range of motion and that seemed to help that issue somewhat though he still leaves my nipples extremely raw after nursing.

Both of my DDs had typical gas and tummy issues. DD#2 had reflux as well. Mason has been just miserable with tummy issues. He is very gassy and Mylicon doesn't help at all. He also will go 2 days without a BM and then have 3 or 4 pure liquid diarrhea diapers in a row to clean himself out. This pattern has gone on for a couple of weeks now and the poor little guy is just miserable. His spit up has also changed and is now either a chunky texture or tan in color. Poor thing just cries and screams in pain.

I just want my son to feel better. I am a big proponent of BFing and DD#2 was an EBF baby. DD#1 did have some formula when she was jaundiced due to some bad advice from a Pediatrician who told me that I shouldnt be nursing her until the jaundice went away. There was no pressure to supplement DS - this was my choice for convenience due to our family circumstances. I don't care to get into that debate - everyone has their own reasons for BFing or Bottle feeding. This is what works best for us. I have never been able to get much at all from pumping and certainly not enough to sustain DS.

I am lactose intolerant so I don't eat much dairy anyway but if cutting out the things I do eat in order to make DS feel better works then I am all for it! Can't hurt in helping me lose this baby weight too, right?? I had to follow a similar diet when I had my gallstone issues before I had the gallbladder removed (while 17 weeks pregnant with DS!).

I started DS on the Nutramigen and I have avoided anything dairy today - or at least the obvious things until I learn what else not to eat - and have nursed him as well. DS hates the Nutramigen (it smells horrid too!) and so far he is still having the bad tummy issues.

Poor sweet baby is finally asleep in my arms but his little tummy is still gurgling.

 

[thepeach80]

All 3 of my kids have been at least milk, egg, and soy intolerant/allergic, w/ Evan being the worst and he reacted to pretty much everything I ate. I can now eat whatever I want w/ Ilana, but she still needs rx formula for her supplements, she reacted to Nutramigen last week when we tried it. Evan was on that (Elecare) till he was 2 since I weaned him at 12 mos since I was only eating 5 foods. It's been hard, but definitely doable. My kids don't start handling dairy and soy till 2.5 so I'm not expecting much of Ilana any time soon. We drink rice milk and use it on our cereal etc. Here's a good list of ingredients to avoid. I also have a shopping list of dairy or dairy/soy free foods. I would personally reccomend taking out dairy and soy since about 50% of kids w/ dairy problems also have soy problems. IF that works, you can always try soy in a few wks. Like someone mentioned, Nutramigen is milk based, but 90% of milk intolerant kids can handle it, my oldest could, these last 2 can't. The last 2 also had reflux, Evan was on meds till 21 mos (as you can see Evan is my wonder child, lol). It can take up to 2 wks to get the milk proteins out of your system and another 2 for him, but that doesn't mean it will take that long to see relief. Best wishes and feel free to pm me.

List of Soy Derivatives:
Gum arabic (not soy, but some can react)
Bulking agent
Carob
Emulsifier
Guar gum (not soy, but some can react)
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP)
Lecithin* (not considered an allergen in most as it's soy protein free)
Miso
MSG (Monosodium glutamate) !
Protein
Protein extender
Soy Flour
Soy nuts
Soy panthenol
Soy protein
Soy protein isolate or concentrate
Soy sauce
Soybean
Soybean oil (not considered an allergen in most as it's soy protein free)
Stabilizer
Starch
Textured vegetable protein (TVP)
Thickener
Tofu
Vegetable broth
Vegetable gum
Vegetable starch
Dairy Derivatives:
artificial butter flavor
butter
butter fat
butter oil
buttermilk
casein (casein hydrosylate)
Caseinates (in all forms)
Cheese
Cream
Cottage cheese
Curds
Custard
Ghee
Half & Half
LactalbuminLactalbumin phosphate
Lactoferrin
Lactulose
Milk (in all forms including condensed, derivative, dry, evaporated, goat’smilk, and milk for other animals, low-fat, malted, milkfat, non-fat, powder, protein, skimmed, solids, whole).
Nougat
Naturlose (sweetener derived from whey)
Pudding
Rennet casein
Sour cream
Sour cream solids
Sour milk solids
Tagatose (sweetener derived from whey)
Whey (in all forms)
Yogurt

According to FAAN, These products DO NOT contain milk:
Calcium Lactate
Calcium Stearoyl Lactylate
Cocoa Butter
Cream of Tarter
Lactic Acid (however, lactic acid starter culture may contain milk)
Oleoresin
Sodium lactate
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate

 

[Tikicampers]

DS had a milk allergy as an infant, and DD has a sensitivity now. I exclusively nursed DS and am doing so now with DD. I find it easiest to just avoid dairy products altogether. As someone said, the substitutes are not very good. I have found that I like soy milk, and it isn't a problem if I don't overdo it. Some babies with milk allergies also have soy allergies, so you'll have to watch it. Every baby is different. With DS I couldn't have any milk or milk ingredients in anything. DD will tolerate some of the milk ingredients in cooked (or baked) foods.
I can't offer any advice that I don't already see posted, other than to say that eliminating dairy made a huge difference for me and both the kids. It is worth trying. DS has outgrown his allergy, and we are hopeful DD will too, as hers isn't as bad as his was.

 

[faindrops27]

Obviously I do not know all the background, but I'm suspect of any doc who tells you not to nurse your baby at all...are you supplementing by choice? because EPing for 2 days certainly isn't going to help your supply at all...if anything I'd try to nurse him more as you phase out dairy and cut out the formula since thats the more likely culprit of any issues. My 3.5 year old was EBF and had colic and reflux...so I tried every trick in the book including elminating dairy and "hidden dairy" for 2 weeks, to no avail...some babies are just more sensitive in their digestive systems than others...obviously mother's milk is THE easiest thing for them to digest bar none...there's an elimination diet on Dr. Sears website...
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/t041200.asp

Its not a picnic to eat like this for a couple days...but it could make a HUGE difference....the thing with the dairy is that its not the dairy itself, rather a protien from the dairy thats in your blood...so you have to have a couple weeks with no dairy to see a difference in the breastmilk...some kids have a high level of sensitivity and others are just mildly sensitive....

I'm not trying to sound like a soap-box posting zealot (although I am passionate about BFing if/when at all possible) but there are WAY WAY WAY WAY too many pediatricians out there who don't have a CLUE what they are talking about when it comes to issues pertaining to BFing....again, you'd have to elaborate a little on the issues you're having (gassiness, spitting up, etc etc) but I rarely find its more beneficial NOT to breastfeed and to give formula as an alternative....this is why 75% of moms start out Bfing and only 6% still are BFing at a year....HTH!

I have to agree 100%. Find another ped. You having to stop breastfeeding. Makes no sense. If you are supplementing with formula, use soy.

 

[faindrops27]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I really appreciate all of the input! We are also huge Dr Sears fans so thanks to the poster for that link!!

Little background - I nursed my oldest DD for over a year and my younger DD for almost 2 years with very little problems. DS is another story. He had latching issues from birth so the Pediatrician (in our old town - we just moved from SC to MD) performed a lingual frenectomy to give his tongue more range of motion and that seemed to help that issue somewhat though he still leaves my nipples extremely raw after nursing.

Both of my DDs had typical gas and tummy issues. DD#2 had reflux as well. Mason has been just miserable with tummy issues. He is very gassy and Mylicon doesn't help at all. He also will go 2 days without a BM and then have 3 or 4 pure liquid diarrhea diapers in a row to clean himself out. This pattern has gone on for a couple of weeks now and the poor little guy is just miserable. His spit up has also changed and is now either a chunky texture or tan in color. Poor thing just cries and screams in pain.

I just want my son to feel better. I am a big proponent of BFing and DD#2 was an EBF baby. DD#1 did have some formula when she was jaundiced due to some bad advice from a Pediatrician who told me that I shouldnt be nursing her until the jaundice went away. There was no pressure to supplement DS - this was my choice for convenience due to our family circumstances. I don't care to get into that debate - everyone has their own reasons for BFing or Bottle feeding. This is what works best for us. I have never been able to get much at all from pumping and certainly not enough to sustain DS.

I am lactose intolerant so I don't eat much dairy anyway but if cutting out the things I do eat in order to make DS feel better works then I am all for it! Can't hurt in helping me lose this baby weight too, right?? I had to follow a similar diet when I had my gallstone issues before I had the gallbladder removed (while 17 weeks pregnant with DS!).

I started DS on the Nutramigen and I have avoided anything dairy today - or at least the obvious things until I learn what else not to eat - and have nursed him as well. DS hates the Nutramigen (it smells horrid too!) and so far he is still having the bad tummy issues.

Poor sweet baby is finally asleep in my arms but his little tummy is still gurgling.

I am just going to tell you what I encountered with my son when he was born 5 years ago. I had a c-section, and after not being able to nurse my first son.(Medical issues with me.) I was determined to nurse my other son. Since my first son. Constantly had severe ear infections.. I had advised the nurses, and doctors. I would like to nurse my baby exclusively, no bottles, no pacifiers nothing. So, baby was diagnosed with jaundice, and doctor told me, I should not breastfeed, they were going to give baby formula,(enfamil) until jaundice cleared. After home, and checking up with babies ped, she advised me to nurse, and supplement, with formula. Well, while supplmenting my baby would do the same thing your son did. No bowels, just massive amounts of pain, and gas, then massive loose light brown stools after 4 days. Nothing would work with his gas. He seemed to go through bouts of unbearable pain. Then it came to me. I am not going to supplement him. I decided, I would just bf. It took 2 whole weeks, to see a change. Within those two weeks my husband was so angry. I was not listening to doctors orders. I did not have a support group to bf exclusively, from him, or others.. Because the symptoms, within those two weeks were still present. But, the change came. Normal loose bowel movements, less spit up, a more happy baby. Now, I am only telling you what. I did and what worked for me. Whatever you choose, I hope baby is feeling better soon. He will get through this, and so will you.

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

again, not judging your choice to supplement....but I'd say its VERY possible that that could be contributing to his digestive issues. My DD had similiar issues, and I'd sometimes take a rectal temp just to help "move things along" for her....try the elimination diet and then start re-introducing foods slowly...its VERY possible its not milk at all...usually milk allergies will cause blood in stool rather than just upset tummy troubles. Sounds like a milk sensitivity is possible, but an all out allergy would probably be more apparent. Its hard on an immature digestive system to go back and forth between BM and formula. Both my kids have been gassy little monsters, my DD was MUCH worse than my son...but I completely empathize with where you are at...we saw a great improvement in both kids at the 6 month mark...so I'm glad I stuck the BFing out (for 2 years with her, and 12 months and counting with DS who is self-weaning it seems now) Have you spoken with a lactation consultant or local LLL leader? they are a wealth of knowledge and might help get down to the root of his tummy troubles. Good luck!

 

[laughinplace199]

Have you noticed any difference with the Nutramigen? I remember my ped saying it could take a few of days to see a real difference, but I saw a difference in DS in one day.

DS is now 8 months old. At about 1 month, I suspected he had a milk allergy (he had developed eczema and was extremely fussy and gassy and had diarrhea). At the time I was BFing but had to supplement with formula due to low milk supply. My ped prescribed Nutramigen for supplementing purposes and said to cut all dairy out of my diet. I did that and DS was doing great. The difference in his behavior was unbelievable!

Unfortunately, a month later DS started having blood in his stools. He was getting fussy again too. The ped said it's probably a soy allergy (40% of kids who are allergic to dairy are allergic to soy as well). I won't get into my long, involved saga with trying to feed this baby. Suffice to say that BFing just wasn't working for us and after several visits with a lactation consultant and many tears (mostly mine), I ended up weaning him and putting him on Nutramigen. It was so hard to give up BFing that early, but he was back to being my happy, mellow baby once he was on that formula.

Good luck. I hope your baby is feeling better soon.

 

[krystalleigh1]

Obviously I do not know all the background, but I'm suspect of any doc who tells you not to nurse your baby at all...are you supplementing by choice? because EPing for 2 days certainly isn't going to help your supply at all...if anything I'd try to nurse him more as you phase out dairy and cut out the formula since thats the more likely culprit of any issues. My 3.5 year old was EBF and had colic and reflux...so I tried every trick in the book including elminating dairy and "hidden dairy" for 2 weeks, to no avail...some babies are just more sensitive in their digestive systems than others...obviously mother's milk is THE easiest thing for them to digest bar none...there's an elimination diet on Dr. Sears website...
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/t041200.asp

Its not a picnic to eat like this for a couple days...but it could make a HUGE difference....the thing with the dairy is that its not the dairy itself, rather a protien from the dairy thats in your blood...so you have to have a couple weeks with no dairy to see a difference in the breastmilk...some kids have a high level of sensitivity and others are just mildly sensitive....

I'm not trying to sound like a soap-box posting zealot (although I am passionate about BFing if/when at all possible) but there are WAY WAY WAY WAY too many pediatricians out there who don't have a CLUE what they are talking about when it comes to issues pertaining to BFing....again, you'd have to elaborate a little on the issues you're having (gassiness, spitting up, etc etc) but I rarely find its more beneficial NOT to breastfeed and to give formula as an alternative....this is why 75% of moms start out Bfing and only 6% still are BFing at a year....HTH!

I second that. Most pediatricians have NO training at all in human lactation. What they learn about lactation they learn from home study or from the formula companies that give them free samples to push. Ask your ped what kind of human lactation courses they took in med school. I bet the answer will be none. Sad but true (for the most part). Most med. schools don't even require any human lactation courses (and little are even offered) for peds.

Just had to chime it. There are so many mothers who just trust whatever their ped's tell them when it comes to bfing and supplementing with formula and the peds don't know what they're talking about. It's sad that the Dr's that are suppose to specialize in the care of infants and children don't know more about bfing-the most important factor in infant nutrition.

 

[Manda]

My son was allergic to dairy and soy. Thankfully, he outgrew soy by 18 months and dairy by 3 years. I can't say this enough - get a pediatric allergist referral and GO NOW. I nursed my son for 2 years and didn't have to give up dairy. There are simple tests that can be done rather than guessing games. We played the games back and forth with the ped and the ENT and then we finally get to the allergist and they did one test and said for sure that he was allergic. Some babies are just colicy, gassy, uncomfy, and spitty-uppy just because and not because of allergies. Why put yourself through all these guessing games and formula changes, etc., if that's not even the problem?

And I agree totally with some of the other posters - I'd distrust a doc who thought that BFing could be the culprit. That would send me looking for another doc.

 

[nikosmom]

We went throught his my daughter would cry and vomit after I nursed. I had a hunch it was dairy. I cut out dairy and she was fine. You have to play around with your diet to rule out what it is. Tedious I know, but it is worth it if you decide nursing is best for you and your baby. I first cut out all dairy and then introduced cheese. She was fine. I introduced yogurt. She was fine. I learned it was milk and ice cream causing her upset tummy. Luckily that was all it was for us. I switched to soy, lost a ton of weight felt much better (maybe I had a slight allergy to milk too!0 and after about 9 months she outgrew the allergy. Milk is a very common allergy for babies (because it is meant for baby cows, not baby humans!) The protein in milk is not broken down enough and is difficult to digest. However, other dairy products are better broken down therefore easier to digest. Really the only way is trial and error with your diet. Give it about 3 days with each dietary change to see how she handles it. Good luck! NTW (Nutramigen is not only expensive but foul tasting! Most babies reject it. It is worth it to continue nursing if you can do it. I know it is challenging but it gets better. )

 

[TinkerbellMama]

This doctor is woefully ignorant about human lactation and pediatric allergies. Please switch health care providers immediately and go to www.kellymom.com for some REAL breastfeeding/food sensitivity information! Good luck!

P.S. Milk isn't good for you, anyway. I haven't had a drop of it in many, many years and I'm healthier than ever!