reintroducing dairy. anyone done it? where to next?

[bunnyhunny]

ds has (had?) a milk protein allergy from when he first tried formula. His eczema became really bad - all over his face, his legs and arms. We changed him to pepti milk formula and in 3 days his eczema cleared up completely.

He is now nearly 1, and I have been trying him on yogurt. On day 1 I gave 3 baby spoons, day 2 6 and today 14. His eczema was alrightish the first couple of days (maybe reacting to fish, but that's another story), but today it looks pretty good.

So, I will give yogurt a break for a few days (see if eczema continues to improve, or is still a bit patchy) and then try again. And then if all is still ok, i want to try other dairy products.

What should I try next? Should I go straight to milk, or try cheese first? Has anyone else done this?

If he has been sensitive to milk protein as to be in Pepti, you don't need to rush him into dairy just because he is one year old.

But if you decide to do it, start with hard cheeses, moving into yoghurts and finally milk.

The fact that the eczema is not returning is a good sign but watch for other signs, DS's eczema doesn't return if he has a bit of milk, but he gets a bloated tummy, a snotty nose, gets wheezy at night. The bloated tummy hapens immediatly while the other things become aparent in the subsequent hours.

TBH I would wait at least another 6 months.

The reason I am trying him on dairy is because we are going away to spain in a couple of months, and it will make eating so much easier if he can tolerate dairy.

I will give him a break and see if his eczema clears up completely - it's so hard to tell the causes isn't it? He has a few patches, which might be due to teething, coming down with something, fish, or dairy . so if it clears completely again, I will try him on yogurt again, then go for cheese.

was it was milk protein allergy or simply an intolerance because it sounds like the latter. Usual recommendation for allergy is cheese then live yoghurt and only then milk but for intolerance you might be better with live yoghurt. The probiotic bacteria in live yoghurt have a good track record for eczema.

Try cooked cheese before uncooked, and cooked milk before uncooked. Fromage frais is another early one you can try.

Bunnyhunny, if the trip to Spain is the main cause don't stress about it. We have had no problem whatsoever feeding DS over there and he is dairy, wheat, peanut, nuts, and shellfish free.

We have a bit of a problem traveliing with rice milk (DS can't tolerate pepti) but you can always pop the pepty tin in the luggage and you don't even need to worry about finding stuff for him over there.

It doesn't seem to me that milk is a major ingredient in Spanish cooking (and I'm telling you that as a former wife to a Spaniard ), you will not even notice!

memysonandi - that is very reassuring! did you have to request allergen free food - and how did you do it? I am worrying about translating dairy and soya into spanish!!

How long are you staying?

You can manage well enough with fruit, grilled chicken, lamb or whatever and the bread they always put on the table before your order arrive.

I normally travel with a card that says what DS is allergic to and asking them what plate would they suggest. For Spanish it would be:

"Mi hijo es alergico a los lacteos y a la soya, podria recomendarme algo que no los contenga? - Gracias"

Soya is more of a problem as it is everywhere and people hardly know that is hidden behind so many different names. I would buy fresh fruit from a supermarket, and keep to grilled meats and vegetables for a child that young. I normally carry a small tupperware with other things to complement in case there are not many options for DS like biscuits, raisins, fruit and desserts.

BTW in most restaurants they are happy to prepare simple things for you even if they are not in the menu

memysonandi - thanks so much for the spanish phrase

am I correct in reading it - my son is allergic to dairy and soya - can you recommend something that doesnt contain it - ?? spanish is very rusty.

I am thinking of taking some jars so we can always whip up a pasta sauce if necessary. and grilled meat and veg would be fine. being so used to british pub-menus, I kind of assume lots of foods will be of the more processed kind iyswim.

Actually, there's a mistake in the phrase...

Whereas in many places you call soya "soya" in Spanish, in some others is called "soja" (soha), or at least in my ex's region.

We're about to start the reintroduction process so will watch this with interest.

Yes, it's 'soja' in the north (of Spain).

If you think he may react to fish then honestly that's likely to be a bigger prob than the dairy (not insoluble, but bigger) as it's a major part of the diet.

My DD has a cow's milk protein allergy and I have been advised by the paed and dietician to reintroduce dairy at around 18 months.

The leaflet they gave me says to start with cooked and processed milk products, as in eg biscuits, cakes. Watch carefully for symptoms and keep a food diary.

If that's okay try a bit of cheese, then go on to things like yoghurt and finally 'raw' (fresh) milk.

As she is nearly 18 months I've tried her on Farley's Rusks a few times and she seems okay, though it does sometimes coincide with some grizzlyness which I'm hoping isn't tummyache. No vomiting symptoms though which is what she had with formula and yoghurt when younger, so fingers crossed.

Apparently this is the optimum time to reintroduce, they advise not leaving it too late as this can make the allergy worse. However if there is a problem with reintroduction, then you should stop and wait a bit before trying again as it this particular allergy is often age dependent.

There are lots of potato / olive oil / salad / meat / fish / egg based options in Spanish restaurant food which will hopefully be fine for your DS, good luck!

thanks everyone for your replies.

after 3 days of a bit of yogurt, I noticed his eczema had flared behind his knees (face was hard to tell, as he had so many bumps little cuts on it at the time - looked like we had been beating him up!!), so I guess he is still sensitive .

oh well, we will go with your suggestions for spain, and retry dairy at 18 months. i was so sure that he would be ok after no flare up on the first and second days...