Really Need Help Please... Milk intolerance

[irismom]

DS is 8 months and EBF, other than aptamil top ups till 3 weeks old. Tried formula, when he was around 6 months and he gets hives(rashes) around his cheek and neck. he was not used to bottle, so only managed to have less than an oz. tried all brands, then SMA LF too, with same result. He had same reaction to baby cereal with milk in it

Several visits to GP and HV(long story, send for colieac test instead of milk), I am now asked to go dairy free. It s been two weeks now and there is no change in him. Actually, he never reacted to my milk intake (he has eczema, starting to clear up after on steroid for two weeks) and I am not sure what I am doing Dairy free. I am exhausted all the time, after going dairy free(coffee/hot choc was keeping me going thro the day). I really would like to know what is the benefit/what are we looking for ; if he only gets that hives when he touches/drinks some dairy. please please help me understand what Am I doing and What to expect. Asked this to GP and HV several times but they dint give me a clear answer. Gp not sure wthr to send for a test or to a pediatrician.

The cmp can go through your milk, your going milk free to give his gut a rest as it will have been struggling with digesting it. I went dairy free at approx 4 months it stopped my son having wind and aided his sleep which had been dreadful. Like you I didn't know cmp was an issue until I weaned. I cut out milk earlier as was desperate and HV said it helps some babies settle. He didn't get hives just the runs as only intollerant.
Could be v wrong but if your son got hives I'd want to limit any exposure as that's not intolerance but an allergy.
As for your diet I found I could tolerate soya milk in my drinks but only certain brands as they all taste very different. There's also oat milk and rice milk you might prefer.

Is that what you wanted to know.

Hopefully others on here might be able to give more medical/ allergy experience which might be more relevant.

Sleepy is right, hives on contact would indicate an allergy rather than intolerance. Not all babies with cow's milk allergy react to the tiny amounts that pass into breastmilk but some do. Have you tried any of the cow's milk alternatives yet (for you I mean, not your baby)? There's oat, almond, rice, coconut and soya milk so give them a try until you find one that you think tastes ok. Koko (coconut) or almond are supposed to be ok, especially in coffee etc. It can take up to 6 weeks before you see any changes in baby's symptoms. However, if you really don't think he reacts to your breastmilk then you could try to gradually reintroduce dairy to your diet and keep an eye out for any reactions. Your GP should refer you to a specialist (inc a dietician) and prescribe a hypoallergenic formula (eg Nutramigen or Aptamil Pepti) if you want to stop or supplement breastfeeding. Just a word of warning, don't let them prescribe soya formula as this is not recommended especially as many babies allergic to cow's milk are also allergic to soya.

2-3% of children react to dairy (milk protein) but only 0.5% are sensitive enough to react to the minute traces that are passed through breastmilk. If he was fine until he had dairy directly then there is no advantage in you going dairy free yourself.
I would ask to be referred to a paediatric dietician for advice on managing him dairy free - he may need a calcium supplement as you start to decrease the BF. You also need to think about what your wishes are longer term re BF - the CMP free formulas taste pretty bad, it can be a challenge getting a baby used to the good stuff to accept them.
Oat/almond/coconut milks ok to use for him in cooking/cereal etc, but not enough protein/fat to be a main drink for a baby younger than 2.

My DS2 was MSPI (milk and soya protein intolerant) but did react to both via breastmilk . I know several babies who did not have a problem until formula or dairy based solids were introduced. I BF until he was 2, we used Oatly with added calcium for additional drinks and cooking, and he had a calcium and a multivitamin supplement prescribed by our dietician. He outgrew it between 2-3 and is now on a normal diet.

yes, agree that contact reaction indicates allergy not intolerance.

you need to be referred to the paediatric allergy consultant.

i will go against the grain and say that I would cut dairy from your diet. you might find it's what has been causing his eczema
it's hard cutting it out completely, but if it helps it's worth it. if there is no difference then you can just go back to having it. you need to cut it out for at least 2-3 weeks though, to see a difference.

Did the eczema start after you introduced milk or did he have it when exBF?

Thank you all. This is why I Love Mumsnet! God help me, my GP was not even able to tell me about the-- "allergy" not intolerance part. sleepy yes, I was after this info. Infact I would like to know more.
I am on alpro Almond milk now for cereals, couldnt Accept it as a sub for coffee yet, as I am a full fat milk coffee person
He only gets hives, when he is in direct contact with dairy. I suspect a plain bread is not giving him hives, but not sure.
Bakingtins he had eczema from birth, we tried all creams E45, oilatum, cetraban and several others. his skin reacted to most of them badly, more redness/itching. now on Aveeno(paraffin free)+ steroid. Steroid was given on the same day I started dairy free, so cant conclude anything.
he was colic/reflux (drs couldnt conclude, was on colief/ gaviscon for sometime). nothing helped with his vomiting. So I stopped giving him medicines after 8 weeks or so. it stopped completely around 5.5 months
freefrommum I think i have read your post regarding a blood test for intolerance (RAST?) somewhere else. Any idea which one should I go for?
bundaberg yes, I was looking for that "paediatric allergy consultant" . Hope I will get refernce/appointment soon

I'd go with the allergy as well, but I'm no medical professional, obviously!! :D

I too went dairy free for my LO (had to, as she was very sensitive). Still am (extended breastfeeding). I really struggled at first, but decided if it was only for a few months or so, I could cope. However, I'm still here, as she still appears to be unable to cope with cow's milk.

I have to admit. I used to be a real milky latte person, but drink my coffee black now - never thought I'd see the day! However, if you can't cope without anything in your coffee, you can get a dairy free coffee 'creamer'. Just found these. No idea what they're like, though! www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=dairy+free+coffee+creamer&tag=googhydr-21&index=grocery&hvadid=25756155776&hvpos=1t2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1004649281247939723&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_2qvaer6gxm_b

Online vegan stores like Alternative stores can be a great place to get milk free alternatives, like 'cheese'. www.alternativestores.com/ethical-shop/organica/brand_48.html

My fave dairy free milk to use generally is almond but Koko Coconut milk tends to work better in custard.

My fave margarine is Pure Sunflower (most big supermarkets)

My fave 'cheese' is Cheezly (chiller in Holland and Barrett's) but others prefer Violife (Alt. Stores)

My fave yoghurt is Co-yo (Ocado/ health food stores) it's expensive but lush!

My fave chocolate is Zebra Zoo (Ocado or Free From for Kidswww.freefromforkids.co.uk/product/zero-zebra-safari-party-dairy-free-chocolate-animals-75g )but 'tis expensive! Moo Free (free from aisle in Tesco is cheaper).

I have a blog (same name) if you're interested, which may provide you with more of an idea of what's available out there.

Even if you decide it's not for you, some of this maybe useful for your LO as he gets older. Hopefully, though, you'll be one of the lucky ones and he'll grow out of it :)

It sounds like you are struggling with not having enough info on what you require to do for dairy free. I suggest you ask for referral to paediatric dietitian, they will assist you with what foods contain milk - it's not just the obvious sources. they were a great help.

What about sources for DS? Does he receive any rusks, baby rice etc that contain milk powder for example? once you start looking milk is everywhere!

And for reliable testing - RAST - you will need referral to paediatric allergy clinic at your local hospital.

skinny, am not giving him much, other than whole grains and fruits. would really need help with his diet. I will def ask for reference. thanks

Good luck