Be gentle

9 replies

strawberrycake · 09/10/2010 08:06

I have to ask this.

My son has been diagnosed with cows milk protein allergy and soy allergy. He's had very poor weight gain (1 kg in the last 16 weeks) and generally a rough ride. I'm still not sure it's all sorted.

It really kicked off when I stopped expressing. Had I been successful at bf would he still be allergic? Could we have avoided the allergy?

OP posts:

KaraStarbuckThrace · 09/10/2010 08:17

Please don't beat yourself up about this.
You don't know for definite. Just because you bf doesn't not 100% guarantee your baby will be free from allergy - it just means they are less likely to have it.

Besom · 09/10/2010 08:17

Well, my exclusively bf nephew has had a terrible dairy allergy so clearly it made no difference in his case. Don't beat yourself up unecessarily. Have you gone on the allergy board for advice?

Original poster

strawberrycake · 09/10/2010 08:18

besom, thanks that probably is a good place to go.

I've been dwelling on it a bit.

OP posts:

Besom · 09/10/2010 08:21

How old is he? It's the burden of motherhood to feel guilty about everything isn't it? Sounds like it's been very stressful as well which won't be helping.

Original poster

strawberrycake · 09/10/2010 08:22

He's 4 months, and weighs exactly the same as he did 6 weeks ago.

OP posts:

CokeFan · 09/10/2010 08:28

The allergy is not your fault at all - please don't ever think it is.

My dd is allergic to egg and cows milk protein and was breastfed for 18 months (had some formula in the first 9 days but bf apart from that). She was also slow to gain weight but seems ok now (still has the allergies though).

Besom · 09/10/2010 08:30

Aah - it's no wonder this is playing on your mind but it isn't your fault.

MumNWLondon · 09/10/2010 23:53

FWIW my nephew is allergic to eggs, peanuts and sesame. He was EBF for over 6 months and BF until 15 months.

He was also allergic to cows milk & soya(ie when my SIL ate any dairy or soya or when BF and when being weaned) - he was fine when she avoided etc.

He is now 3.5 and has outgrown the cows milk & soya allergies. But is still allergic to eggs, sesame and peanuts and has to carry epi-pen.

You'll never know if BFing would have made a difference.

ClimberChick · 10/10/2010 03:10

strawberry we weren't designed to drink cow and soy milk, people are going to be allergic to it (think of Asia).

It kicked off when it did, as his diet switched to 100% cow. In all likely hood he had the allergy anyway.

This guilt thing is really preying on your mind and no wonder consiering how much you've had to do to get it properly diagnosed and a supply of adaquate milk. The feeling of helplessness must have been awful. Do you think it might help to speak to someone about it.

You have fought fought so hard and it just shows what a brilliant mother you are. You should be so proud of yourself, not doubting yourself.

Flip