To expect the NHS to pay for me to breast feed

[pamplem0usse]

OK so not quite:
10 week old DS has a cows milk allergy. He's EBF so the only solution currently is for me to cut out all dairy from my diet. I'm already a pescatarian.
Dairy free alternatives seem to be really expensive.... AIBU to think I should be able to be prescribed some of these given (a) the amount of money I'm saving them on hypoallergenic formula and (b) since I'm likely to save them significant amounts of cash by helping prevent further allergies develop....

[trixymalixy]

YABU, and I say that as the parent of two allergic children who had to cut out dairy from my diet when breast feeding.

I don't find the dairy free alternatives that much dearer tbh.

[trixymalixy]

But can I extend my sympathies as it is hard to get used to to begin with.

I also found out that DS had allergies when he was around 12 weeks old and up until then it had been hellish as he was so unsettled and would only feed for 10 mins then scream and then need to be fed again after an hour.

The allergy board is very friendly and lots of good advice to be had.

[OHforDUCKScake]

Balloonslayer I disagree, when we are broke and have to raid the freezer theres always fish fingers chips and beans, sausages, pork chops, mash, gravy.
Basically, dont buy expensive ice cream.

[OHforDUCKScake]

Scotch a CMPA child is 75% likely to be allergic to goats milk. So when you quoted me saying Goats milk is probably a bad idea and asked why? That is why.

Is your DH a GP? Any allergy specialist we have seen have said to steer clear of goats milk altogether because of the likelyhood of allergy to it.

Perhaps the likelyhood grows depending on the severity of the childs allergy. Perhaps your child wasnt very allergic so your husband was willing to take the risk, but my son is severely allergic and is so to goats milk.
If your son is anaphylactic to cows milk too then Im very suprised hes ok with goats milk, but thats very lucky. One of the 25%.

[mamij]

Both my DDs have cows milk intolerance and I cut it out of my diet completely for 15 months (DD1) and still not having any dairy with DD2 (13 months).

I take vitamin supplements (by choice) and use oat creams, soya, or coconut products instead.

[TenaciousOne]

YABU. We have the same issue here. Dairy alternatives aren't that expensive so long as you aren't looking for cheese alternatives. DH and I have both gone dairy free as DS came out in hives when DH gave him a kiss after having some milk.

[oldraver]

I did it for three years (dairy free as my DS is). The dietician told me I would have to give up breastfeeding

It does cost a little more but with trial you will find an altenative that suits. If you can get Soya Soleil (made by Alpro) but much cheaper. Waitrose and Co-Op used to do it. There are also a few own brands that are ok price wise. I would look for the ones that are sweetened and have added calcium.

It is a little annoying you cant use Healthy Eating vouchers against soya milk

[OTheHugeManatee]

Hey, maybe I could get the NHS to pay for my running shoes? After all, by staying fit and active I'm saving them money.

[MadameCastafiore]

Fuck me, yes of course they can afford to feed you, especially if they cut a few cancer drugs off of the NICE list of approved drugs.

Your sense of entitlement is astounding!

[FlangelinaBallerina]

Shit analogy that didn't work, Duck.

[oldraver]

Also your 2 year old doesn't need Dairy and wont come to any harm without it. What she needs is Calcium that is available in many sources ...its just milk is the most readily available and cheap source, hence all the Government bumpf people like my Mum (post war baby, who grew up in the 50's and 60's) remember. The 'pint of milk a day' was rammed home for many many years and its stuck in peoples heads.

My Dairy .. full cream/butter mad oh actually likes Swedish Glace Ice cream. The Alpro cream in the square box (longlife ) is really nice, the fresh one found in the chiller is not so nice. Oatley I found ok. Good old fashioned Vitalite is pretty good for a spread (and a bit cheaper)

[NotQuintAtAllOhNo]

Flangelina, did you deliberately intend to be verbally abusive?

[oohlaalaa]

Yabu

[tetleymel]

YAB SO VERY VERY U!

I'm a vegan, as is all of my family including DCs. We live on a fairly tight budget and are very healthy and have a great variety of food.

I'd like the NHS to pay me because:

• I don't smoke
  
• I'm not obese
  
• I try to avoid being involved in major accidents
  
• I brush my teeth properly etc, etc, etc, etc.
  
  What a ridiculously stupid OP!

[FlangelinaBallerina]

Indeed I did Quint. The old MN favourite 'did you mean to be so rude' or variants thereof only works when you're dealing with someone who would be bothered by what you're accusing them of. I could point out that you're not really one to complain given that you were quite happy to call me stupid too, but I don't really care. Instead I'll ask did you intend to make a rubbish analogy or did it happen by accident?

[NotQuintAtAllOhNo]

Sorry Flangelina, I have no interest in engaging in a "debate" with abusive people.

[NotQuintAtAllOhNo]

I am genuinely perplexed.

[OliviaMumsnet]

Oi oi
Peace and love thanks

[LDNmummy]

I have this problem with my DD. She is very allergic to milk, though getting a little better. Up until recently if you had acup of tea with milk in it and gave her a kiss even 20 mins later, even a trace of milk on your mouth would leave an outline of your lips on her skin.

It meant that either I was stuck at home exclusively breastfeeding her for the last year, or getting a prescription for the only formula that would suit her dietary needs as it is seriously pricey.

The thing is, most people with milk allergies can't even have soya as a substitute because they will have the same reaction as they do to milk. I tried DD with soya yogurt to see if she could have it and after it built up in her system, she couldn't tolerate it either sadly.

Now because she doesn't get the bacteria most people get from dairy or dairy related products, she is lacking in good gut bacteria and has really bad flare ups of things like thrush.

I have bought her some freeze dried bacteria which is also expensive though less so, and add this to rice milk or juice for her.

Her diet is far more limited than those who only have a lactose intolerance and it can lead to further medical problems that require regular GP visits.

I am still breastfeeding to make sure she is getting as much from my milk as possible to compensate for whatever she may be missing out on, and I give her vitamins daily.

[LDNmummy]

If anyone can recommend dairy and soya free alternatives to me that don't cost an arm and a leg I would really appreciate it.

A tub of coconut oil is somewhere over £5 and only available from a few places in central London for me.

[LDNmummy]

coconut yogurt, not oil!