Baby with multiple allergies: worried about deficiency

[goshreally]

10 mo DS has had quite violent allergic reactions to cow's milk, egg and gluten. Our GP has advised staying off all of them, plus soya just in case, but has basically left us to it until he's tested at 18 months, saying that DS 'has plenty of chub on him'. This is true, but he is also pale and shows signs of tiredness most of the day, despite being inquisitive and alert by nature.

Our community dietician has advised us also not to introduce other potential allergens (e.g. sesame, nuts) until he's tested, but I'm finding it really difficult to make up healthy meals. Gluten-free products often contain egg; dairy-free things often have soya. Am going insane!

Is anyone else in the same boat? Am worried about not getting enough iron and calcium into DS, especially as he hates things like quinoa, avocado, banana... would happily eat potatoes all day (really the only thing I can ask for when we go out)...

My son was allergic to all those things at that age, and we really just stuck to a meat, potatoes & veg based diet, with rice as a change from potatoes. Everything was homemade and if I was going out, I took a cool bag with his food (still usually need to do this!). Fortunately DS2 is a big fan of brocolli and fish, so he get much needed nutrients from those.

For breakfast we were able to get Kallo rice puffs to use as a cereal. We also were able to get gluten free pasta, which he enjoyed with tuna and olive oil.

Not sure if that helps. I know how hard it is, so I really feel for you.

Thanks so much for this really good to know someone else went through it too! Did your DS eventually grow out of his allergies, or did they change into other ones you mention still taking a cool bag, so I assume there are still things he has to avoid? The rice puffs and pasta a great idea!

They originally thought he had gluten problems, then said he was allergic to wheat, but he outgrew that at around age 2.

He's still allergic to dairy, tree nuts, peanuts, sesame, peas & pulses, mustard, soya & eggs. So yes, we still take a back-up food if we're eating out, or we phone ahead to check.

I know it all seems really hard & confusing at the moment, but it will become easier. You'll get quicker at shopping while reading labels on everything, and better at identifying 'safe' items to eat. I find meal planning for the week to be a good help, but everyone's different.

Do you have access to a dietician?

Oh, I forgot to mention...our dietician said that, at that age, the Pure spread is a good source of vitamins.

Well I think you're heroic to have coped with all of that, and still coping. Yes, we got a referral to a dietician when he was first diagnosed, but she now thinks we should get advice from a specialist. We're waiting for another referral but resigned to a long wait! Will be looking for that Pure spread, as fat is another thing I endlessly worry about. When he's at the childminder I spend all day thinking about menus, browsing the allergy section in bookshops and scouring the net. Must stop to stay sane!

Aw thanks, but it really does become 2nd nature eventually. Everyone on this board is really helpful, and dealing with a huge range of issues. I'm sure others will be along soon to offer more help.

I hope you get your referral soon

Would he be ok on goats cheese? Great source of fat. I know the proteins are similar, but DS2 is fine with goats and sheeps cheese, but gets hives with all cows products.
And you could maybe try vegetarian cheese, although I don't know if it has Soya in or not.
Re not introducing the other allergens, they can't produce the antigens until they've had exposure, so TBH I went ahead and tried things like cashew nuts with a bottle of piriton to hand. We don't get hugely violent reactions though, we get projectile vominiting and face swelling with eggs & yoghurt, but mainly hives with cows / sesame / pet hair.
Have you tried the corn and rice pastas? they're lovely.
And quinoa makes a lovely porridge if you mix it with fruit puree and cinammon, it might be a nicer taste for him?
Otherwise, how about trying him on chunky veggie soups with things like quinoa and barley added, DS2 will wolf those down for some bizarre reason !
Fish is another great fat source, there's nothing wrong with mackerel potato wedges and peas as a meal... or fish cakes always go down well (check if they're bound with bread though?)
Kidney beans are rammed full of iron & calcium, so are pulses and are really easy to make chilli's (mild) with rice, easy to put in the freezer in portions.
Try making cereal with Oatly or Rice milk, they're both fortified.
Vegetables are great sources of all sorts of minerals, especially green leafies, if you can puree them up and add them to tomato sauces or soups and things

I still also take a bag everywhere with me, especially to childrens parties and things!

Wow, puffylovett, that's really helpful too. Have kept off goat's milk as have heard about the proteins being v similar. DS's reactions so far have been projectile vomiting, hives and wheezing that's why worried about further reactions to other things. I'll try some of the things you mention mackerel idea sounds brilliant. Thanks!

Hi Gosh, it does get easier (or you get more practiced!)
Be careful of barley if you need to be gluten free, also the way oats are processed may introduce gluten even though they are naturally GF. I found cooking pretty much everything for my LO was easiest and saved worrying so much; and yes he's got a lunch/munchy bag that goes everywhere with him.
The only shop-bought munchies are the Organix corn snacks for 7m+, (sweetcorn rings, carrot stick & tomato stars), everything else I bake & freeze. My saviour has been a website called Pig in the Kitchen, all recipes are DF, GF, EF, NF, SF; fantastic recipes love the carrot & apple cake (make in muffin tray for all of us!) & gingerbread men too.

Soups with lentils added, casseroles, spag Bol, chilli, fruity curry (with coconut milk), HM burgers/nuggets/fish fingers/cakes, Asda little stars or mini waffles & 'bob the builder' GF pasta! Rice cakes & Fruit pots for going out. Pure or Vitalite spread. HM bread though, shop bought too big for LO...
Asda do a GF porridge with rice & millet flakes if you are going to avoid oats. You can use buckwheat flakes in flapjacks too. (buckwheat is not related to any grain, but seeds from a flower that is more related to knotweed would you believe)

Guessing he's on a hypoallergenic formula? If so he's getting all he needs from that nutrient wise, don't worry. I still use it to make custard (birds custard powder) with some fruit, he loves it for pudding! You can also get ice cream called Freedom from supermarkets, not too bad for us either actually, lovely to let them have ice cream with other kids though.

You will get there, just come back with more questions if needed, someone will know the answer!

Oatly milk is good for cooking with and on cereal etc and you can get one fortified with calcium.

I used to blend the oatly cream with fruit as a yoghurt substitute when DS couldn't eat soya.

I was given a list of high calcium foods by the dietician and broccoli came pretty high up and will have lots of iron as well. I found my DC were more likely to eat it in soup if your DC won't eat it whole. Porridge was top of the list for calcium.

Looks like you've had lots of helpful advice already. Can I ask if you're sure it's gluten your little one is allergic to rather than wheat? Gluten doesn't cause allergic reactions but is linked to intolerances and coeliac disease whereas wheat can cause allergies. Also, if it is wheat causing the allergy then beware of 'gluten free' products as some contain gluten-free wheat starch and are NOT suitable for those with wheat allergy.If that's the case then I would recommend Tesco's own brand instant hot oat cereal (like Ready Brek) as it's fortified with vits and calcium, iron etc. One bowl with milk substitute contains virtually the recommended daily dose of calcium. My 3 yr old son is allergic to milk, wheat, eggs and nuts and when he was a baby I used to add olive oil to his food to increase his fat intake. Shame your little one doesn't like avocado and banana as mashing these together is a great way of getting nutrients into them. Pulses are a good source of iron and can be hidden in soups/sauces/casseroles. Raisins and dried apricots also contain iron. You can use the milk subsitute to make custard or choc mousse (using cocoa powder).

freefrommum, it's funny you mentioned that, because I spoke to a dietician at the Allergy show in Olympia at the weekend who said the same sort of thing. It was when I found myself buying bread from the stand of a Swedish company who seem to be the only ones who sell gluten-, soya-, egg- and dairy-free bread that I realised how ridiculous the whole thing was getting. Since then I've slowly introduced gluten again and he seems ok, though will definitely stay off the wheat. It was our GP who suggested staying off gluten, but I don't think he realised the impact of that on our already restricted diet.
Thanks to all for advice -- really really helps

Has your dietitcian prescribed supplements? Ds has the same allergies and we have calcium and vitamins on prescription as well as neocate

No, she hasn't, and I should really ask about that. Found out today that waiting list for allergy clinic is 13 weeks but GP great and referring us to another hospital -- fingers crossed!