dd3 showing signs- breastfeeding what to do?

[girlsyearapart]

Hi some of you may remember that dd2 is very allergic to cmp,egg,peanut,sesame the list goes on.

Anyway dd3 is now nearly 5 weeks and her skin has come up in a rash very very similar to dd2's at that age.

Doctor has prescribed her nutramigen aa like dd2 had but unlike with dd2 I am partially breastfeeding. The doctor has said I should phase this out as she could be allergic to my milk.

I was suprised to hear that as I had been trying to breastfeed to limit the chances of allergy.

So would it be right to stop feeding her myself? I have been feeding her approx 3-4 times a day and she will be on the nutramigen aswell.

First congratulations on the arrival of dd3! Secondly I'm sorry to hear that she has come up in a rash.

When I found out dd2 was allergic to dairy and egg I carried on breastfeeding but cut those foods (and also peanuts and all nuts)out of my diet. Would that be do-able?

If you do do this you need to try to increase your calcium intake through other foods and/or supplements.

I would have thought it would be better to try and increase breastfeeding than the opposite was around? Is that not possible?

No she will not be allergic to your milk.

She could be allergic to cow's milk protein which could be passed to your milk when you eat diary food.

It is possible to eliminate the diary in your own diet and therefore eliminate the cow's milk protein in your breastmilk, but I would not do wthis without speaking to a doctor.

Please carry on breastfeeding, breatmilk really is the best protector against allergies. I was in your position with ds - rashes, eczema and a probably cow's milk protein allergy. I cut down on cow;'s milk but did not cut it out. Ds is now nearly tao, and still breastfed, and his eczema has all be disappeared.

Agree with Mears, I would try and increase the breastfeeding.

Just noticed all the typos in my post ds is nearly two!

No don't stop breastfeeding. I was like you partly FF and DS2 totally went off nutrimagen at about 4 months. I was on verge of giving up BF and had to increase my supply by expressing loads as he couldn't have any other formula.

What Belgo said about cow's milk protein is right, speak to a (different) doctor about eliminating things from your diet. FWIW I cut out dairy completely and took supplements until he was about 9 months, now gradually reintroducing. DS2 had/has severe reflux and eczema

Hi thanks all.
My problem with the sole bfing and also with the restriction in my diet is that I have multiple sclerosis and one of the main symptoms is fatigue with the peak time for a relapse being after birth in the first 3 months..

I was advised by my consultant that bfing would be very difficult for me and this time is the longest I have managed to continue for because I really didn't want to have another dc with the problems dd2 had.

She wasn't diagnosed with cmp allergy until 7months and we were constantly fobbed off for months with crap like e45 etc. Her face looked like acid burns and she scratched herself raw every night until she began wet wraps aged 1. Now at nearly 2 she looks great and we manage her diet well. She doesn't even need creams now.

Just want to do my utmost to save dd3 the trauma dd2 went through really but a Mum in hospital with a relapse is not going to help.

thanks nottired I don't think the actual act of feeding will cause a relapse it's more the fact that the onus is all on me so not much chance of a rest.

Also needed to make sure that dh is not left with a baby who won't take a bottle/formula if I had to go into hospital or start taking medication.

Now that I'm more confident with the feeding I'm finding it easier to completely substitute some feeds with breastmilk though whereas earlier it was all bf with a formula chaser!

Never heard that about bf ing limiting chance of relapse- very interesting can you link?

You do have to look at it all the round and the implications for your own health are significant.

I breastfed dd1 to 11 months and when I stopped her eczema showed a significant improvement so I'm guessing something in my milk aggravated it.

Its amazing that your dd2's eczema has improved to the point where you don't need creams. Well done. Wish I could say the same for dd1.

thanks nottired I have never been told that before. I can see the link with the no period thing as pregnancy hormones protect from relapse so must be the same thing.

whelk I know it is amazing that dd2 has improved so much- I never thought I'd see the day.

I have my 6 wk check on friday and will speak to the doctor about what to do.

With hindsight would you have stopped bfing earlier knowing it would have improved her skin?

It's such a shame as I'm actually enjoying the bfing this time for the first time in 3 children..

spoke to a gp friend today who advised sticking with the bfing and nutramigen for 2 weeks and see if there's an improvement then express for a week after that to keep up supply and from that we should see whether it is an allergy.

Now to have a go at expressing-never done that before..

Girlsyearapart- I was/am a fan of breastfeeding and because it was reasonably easy with my two it didn't cross my mind to stop really. Added to that she wouldn't take a bottle!!!

I don't really know what I would have done with hindsight.

Well it seems that what we are doing is working as her skin seems to be improving- long may it last.

The gp I saw for the 6wk check is a skin specialist and remembers how bad dd2 was and recommended continuing with the bfing so I feel reassured.

Hope I didn't offend you whelk- it wasn't my intention if I did.

No offence taken at all! It was an interesting question!

I'm just pleased to hear that your dd3 is improving (and on a somewhat unrelated note, of you having a third dc!! . I love newborns!!!