11m old, undiagnosed CMPA, I'm going back to work - what to do?

[HackerFucker22]

DC2 only showed signs of CMPA from weaning at 6m so despite numerous GP and HV visits she hasn't been diagnosed as such but I don't feed her dairy as she has an immediate reaction (stinging nettle rash on her face, blood shot eyes). She doesn't react to butter but everything else causes reaction we have tried her systematically as recommended by GP

DC was actually a very sicky and miserable baby so looking back maybe she was exhibiting signs much earlier than I picked up? No reactions tho...

I am due back to work soon, expressing even with a hospital grade pump doesn't work for me so I am wondering how the hell I'll feed baby? Will she manage on
morning / evening bf and food with water throughout the day? Do I need to start trying this now? Or is there a formula without cows milk she can have in daytime?

Will my supply adjust to the new routine? She doesn't feed much in the day but def still gets popped on boob a few times.

TIA

[TheDrsDocMartens]

Supply will adjust.

Why haven't you got a diagnosis? Surely GP should refer at least to a dietician if not Paeds.

There are formulas but I didn't use them just fed when at home and he ate food when I wasn't. Non-dairy Formulas aren't the nicest and more difficult to move an older child too.

[trixymalixy]

I went back. To work when DS was 12 months. I bf him in the morning, when I picked him up from nursery and before bed. He just drank oat milk st nursery and he was fine.

[trixymalixy]

I did try him on hypoallergenic formula but he wouldn't take it.

[HackerFucker22]

I have seen several GP's (joy of a big inner city practice) so have had no continuity of care. I have to literally relay the same info every time we go in.

I was told they would only refer me to paeds if she didn't gain weight [I was going fortnightly at one point, now monthly) and she does gain..she is a weeny dot for 11m though and just over 16lb. Yet she does have gains every weigh in so that and the fact no symptoms appeared until weaning has meant one GP wouldn't refer us. Another GP wanted me to make her have a reaction in front of her to decide if she would refer!!

I am managing things, DD is a smart little cookie, is meeting all her milestones etc so I am loathe to take her to the GP at this time of year when she has having a period of good health (has had a few colds, a chest infection that needed antibiotics and she also has dry skin which I suspect is eczema but GP we saw when we went in for this didn't agree). Basically we were at the Dr's every few weeks for one thing or another and we've not been for months now!! Next time we need the Dr I am going to bring this all up.

So can she have things like almond milk from 12m?

[trixymalixy]

Yes, she can have almond milk etc as long as you are breastfeeding too as substitute milk aren't as nutritionally adequate as cow's milk. Just don't give her rice milk as the arsenic levels are too high for DC under 4.

Tbh there is very little benefit to being referred as its not like they can do anything apart from test every year and give you dietary advice. Just make sure you carry piriton with you at all times.

[TheDrsDocMartens]

But Op wants dietary advice.

[trixymalixy]

My experience was that the dietary advice was not very good. The dietician didn't know that rice milk was not suitable for under 4s and I was just handed a list of substitutes. Mumsnet has been far more helpful to me.

[TheDrsDocMartens]

Ours was really good. Offered tips on products that were mainstream but dairy free

[ScarletBegonia1234]

I will be going back to work in Jan when ds is 8.5 months. He has CMPI . The dietitian advice is that after 12 months milk alternatives such as soy milk oat milk are fine when replacing a couple of breastfeeds a day. Alternatively there is one soy based formula Wysoy...though it's quite strong tasting ds doesn't hate it totally

[pamplem0usse]

Be wary of replacing breast feeds with almond of oat milk (and definitely not rice under four). My sons consultants at gosh weren't happy about them being introduced to under 3s. My ds was a v good weight and they still said no until he was 2. Water or breast milk was advised, so that he "made up" breast feeds when I was home. I sympAthise entirely as ds wouldn't take a bottle and hydrolysed formula with cmp removed was a no go that late as its vile....

[shouldwestayorshouldwego]

Also be careful with soy milk too. It is very similar to cows milk in structure, it depends on how your dc react. We were advised against it particularly with ds due to phytoestrogens maybe being a problem for boys, but I don't think there is a consensus on that. In the end he couldn't even have traces of soy anyway so wasn't an issue. He is now 6 and has grown out of all his intolerances.

[onesteptotheleftofme]

Sorry to jump.in,what's this about rice milk and arsenic?

[ScarletBegonia1234]

Onestep - Rice milk is not allowed for children under 5 as it contains high levels of arsenic. NHS link www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/drinks-and-cups-children.aspx and was also reiterated by our dietitian.

The best alternative to cows milk is soya if tolerated, next best is oat milk which can be supplemented with oat cream to increase the fat content

Hope that helps!