Has my baby got a Food Intolerance?

[mummymellonie]

My 9 month old DS cannot sleep and it appears to be due to stomach pains. His older brother (almost 3 yrs) was diagnosed with Lactose Intolerance at 1 yr. We did a diet change and noticed a difference, but he never seemed completely comfortable and still doesn't sleep all that well.
Our baby showed the same signs, and although he was EBF (with me cutting lactose too) he still seemed to be suffering. When he was a couple of months old we had a few nights that he slept right through, in his own cot, but they seem like a distant memory now! Now that he's on solids it's noticeably worse with only a few BFs throughout the day (and night, generally just to get him back to sleep). He has two or three very short naps during the day and always wakes screaming and still tired. He has a great routine and always goes down easily at bedtime, only to wake crying within a couple of hours. And then every few hours after that until morning. Watching him sleep, he jerks and fidgets and never looks settled. When he wakes, he wriggles and stretches as though he has trapped wind and seems to be in a lot of pain. It's often hard to keep a hold of him as he stretches out straight, arches his back then pulls his knees up to his tummy.
Past experience has put me off going to the doctors, as they were no help with my first DS. I appreciate that food intolerances are difficult to diagnose, so I thought I'd try on here to see if anyone has had a similar experience?
I would greatly appreciate any help or tips that anyone has, as it's breaking my heart (again, my first was actually a bit worse!) to see my poor baby in so much pain, and there seems to be nothing I can do to help!

[coco2303]

Hi my daughter of 16 months has a milk allergy. I realised at 6 months when I started weaning her. She had eczema from around 6 weeks she was EDF but when u weaned her at 6 months and put a little cows milk in her food she would get a instant red rash around her mouth and would do what u described your boy to be doing now.
I went to the doctors and I agree they aren't much help but I refused to leave until he would refer her to a dietician. Low and behold she was diagnosed with a milk allergy and since cutting out dairy her eczema is non existent and she sleeps soundly.
So although understand your concerns about doctors stick to your gins and refuse to leave until u have a second opinion.
I hope it gets better soon for him it is horrible seeing your kids like that and not having any answers xx

[Justgotosleepnow]

Yes
Go and see a nutritionist or British medical herbalist for advice and a plan to figure out what it is.

[Theorientcalf]

Lactose intolerance is actually quite rare. To me it would seem like a milk protein intolerance and maybe silent reflux. My DS has both, and ezcema.

[mummymellonie]

Thanks, planning to see GP on Monday and will demand a referral. Have cut everything but fruit and veg from his diet for the moment (he's going to love me!) and will see how we get on. Diet-wise, I'm quite confident that I can manage that easily, but I'm unsure what formula to move him on to. He is still BF at the moment, but is showing less interest and I'd like to have a plan in place if he does decide he's had enough. Or, if I decide I can't take any more of his sharp little teeth!!

[ilovepowerhoop]

it is pointless to cut lactose from your diet as breastmilk is choc full of it. Lactose is the sugar in all milks. It would be more likely to be an issue with the cows milk proteins- you would need a dairy free formula if you move away from breastfeeding.

[mummymellonie]

After the dietician diagnosed Lactose Intolerance in my older DS, I read in to it and realised just how rare it was. This was the main reason that I never really believed it to be the case, but as he seemed more content on the new Lactose free diet, I did go with it. Now that my baby DS has the same symptoms, and I know he isn't getting any Lactose in his diet, I'm pretty sure that it isn't Lactose Intolerance.
I can't understand how they both have the same symptoms though. Surely it'd be pretty rare for them both to have the same food intolerance.
I often think that, when I tell people about their symptoms, they go away thinking that I'm just a moan and that all kids/baby's cry and they see what lovely, happy boys I have. I wish I could show them just what they were/are like at night. I always wished I'd taken a video to show the Dr. I especially knew he never believed me!!
Thanks for your replies xx

[coco2303]

My daughter is allergic to cows milk protein and not lactose intolerance. I was advised to give her cow and gate soya formula but I would wait to speak to a dietician first before jumping to a formula.
And he may not gave a milk intolerance it could be something else but honestly if u are concerned stick to ur guns and don't budge until u are listened to

[ilovepowerhoop]

he is getting lactose in his diet if you are breastfeeding as it is the sugar in all milks. Still more likely to be problems with cows milk protein

[mummymellonie]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate what you're saying ilovepowerhoop, and I understand that there is lactose in BM. As I wasn't entirely sure that it was LI, and because I think BF is so important, (and probably just coz I didn't really know what else to do!) I stuck with it. I'd rather stick with it for another 3 months, but I'm not sure my DS has the same plan.

[Justgotosleepnow]

Oh if you are bf and you suspect they have a food intolerance you should definitely keep bf. This is the perfect nutrition for your baby, formula will not improve matters, and may make it worse, as the gut will not be getting the tailored pro & pre biotics that are in your milk.

If the latch is hurting re teeth then you need a bf expert to help you. Try calling the Nct helpline for advice and they might recommend someone you can see.

If you mean delatching is hurting- try putting your little finger in the corner of baby's mouth. Rub the gums and break the seal, and your finger takes the jaw strain. No teeth to worry about.

I can't stress enough how important your milk is in comparison to replacing it with formula. It is superior food for your baby in every way, especially as they have food issues.

Hope you get your GP referral, good luck!

[mummymellonie]

The latch is fine, it's the little nips that I'm getting when he gets a wee fright (which happens frequently with a toddler running around!) or when he decides he's bored, or that it's not flowing quickly enough!
Thanks, will carry on as long as he's happy enough to take it.