Milk allergy?

[melonribena]

My now 7 mth old ds is gradually being introduced to food.

He is ebf but has had about 4 bottles and the odd sip of formula with no effect.

Soon after we started weaning he got some blotches on his face at random points of the day. The gp said it couldn't have been the fruit or veg he'd eaten but was probably the skimmed milk powder in the porridge.

He advised to not give any milk until ds is a yr. he also said allergy testing wasn't done on babies under 1 year.

Now I'd be happy to give no dairy if I was sure it was a milk allergy but the blotches were so random in occurrence and he's had no other symptoms like a poorly tummy.
anyway, for the past 6 weeks ds has had no dairy.

My partner is convinced it's not a milk allergy but some other cause of blotches. He's convinced me to try milk but in scared for ds.

So far we hav put a tiny smear of milk and fromage frais on his arm. Nothing happened. Would there be a reaction if he was allergic to milk?

I want to give up breastfeeding in the day when I go back to work in 3 months but am scared of giving him formula.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

[cassell]

I'm no expert but the blotches could be anything - teething/cold wind chalking the skin/or sensitivity/allergy.

I think my ds2 (10mths) might have a milk intolerance, he had horrendous nappy rash after having yoghurt. What I've done is gradually introduce various dairy products from the age of about 8mths, he has no problem with cheese, can tolerate a small amount of cow's milk cooked in a sauce, a small amount of yoghurt but I haven't tried him with anything more.

My ds1 went onto formula in the day when I went back to work when he was 12mo but I'm not going to put ds2 on formula, I'll express for his daytime feeds and I know he'll make up for it morning/evening. Once they are eating a reasonable amount of food then they don't need as much milk during the day. Perhaps you could consider expressing? You've also got a while to try different dairy things in small quantities regularly over a few days to see if there is any affect. If it all seems fine then you could try formula? Or take him back to the gp to see what they recommend?

[cassell]

Chalking? I meant chapping - stupid phone!

[Honeymoonmummy]

My DS had the skin prick and blood test which showed milk and egg allergies when he was approx 7 months - go back to doctor. Good luck! x

[melonribena]

Thank you both. I think a trip back to the docs is in order. I did feel rather fobbed off to be honest. When I said about giving up breastfeeding in the day they didn't have any suggestions just went on about avoiding milk until a year.

[melonribena]

Can I ask Honeymoon, what symptoms did your ds show with the milk and egg allergies?

[harverina]

Yes I agree my DD had skin prick tests just over 6 months. Feel your Gp has been a bit quick to recommend illimination based on this, though plenty of people would say that dairy is not essential and that other foods can give you a balanced diet. My DD is allergic to milk, eggs and nuts. I think that she has a very balanced diet but would not be keen to eliminate food groups without the confirmation, or at the very least, a consultation with an allergy consultant.

[janey223]

I don't know why he's told you it couldn't be fruit or veg! My DS is allergic to pineapple and kiwi.

Tests can be unreliable to be honest, DS had skin prick tests at 5 months which were all negative, the only way to know is elimination and reintroduction. So, you would probably need to try your DS with a bit of milk again to check. Some babies don't react to bm or formula because the proteins are broken down a bit. X

[nannyof3]

A baby shouldn't be on dairy till there 12 months old anyway!

It could be lots of different things..

Can u express during the day?

[melonribena]

Thanks again, I will definitely go back to the gp! I do express during the day and he is getting better at taking it in a sippy cup.
It was the health visitor who said it couldn't be fruit or veg. I did wonder myself because my friend is allergic to kiwi.
I was under the impression I had to give dairy under a year to help his weight gain. Things like full fat yoghurt, cheese sauce etc. This is according to the health visitor as well

[harverina]

There are mixed opinions on dairy under 1. Current NHS guidance, I believe, recommends dairy over 6 months. However not everyone agrees with this.

[harverina]

And it is possible to be allergic to anything, probably just less likely to basic veg and fruit than so that is probably what prompted your health visitors statement - however plenty of people do have reactions to some fruits and some veg, kiwi as you mention is common, as are allergies to legumes.