calling anyone who has a dc with a dairy allergy and breastfeeds - need some help?!

[ginger2000]

Hi - have posted loads recently so sorry!

Had an absolutely horrendous eve/night with 11 week old dd2 yesterday. She screamed from 4pm until about 3.30am (with some half-hour breaks when she had cried herself to sleep in our arms)when she promptly did a huge poo and then relaxed! She is pretty on edge today but I think that must be down to tiredness. While she was screaming, nothing would console her - she wouldn't let me feed/suckle her (got some milk down her by feeding her as she was stirring from the fitful sleep).

Now - I am taking her to the docs at 11 and am going to ask to have her tested for a dairy allergy - I had cut out dairy for about 3 weeks as she had been doing so many yucky poos and had been very colicky (sp?) - had seen some improvement but must admit haven't been very careful over last few days and yesterday had cream of mushroom soup at lunchtime and some choc at about 2pm. Now - Do you think that could be what caused the problem? Those of you with intolerant/allergic dc's, what reaction do they have?

sorry for the length of this but want to get my thoughts straight before I go to docs as I think they will just tell me that's what babies are like but this so wasn't!!!

hope this makes sense (i haven't had much sleep!)

Could be the dairy - sometimes its an intolerance though so doesn't show up on allergy tests. The Allergy specialist diagnosed our daughters cows milk protein by my description of symptoms - basically she couldn't digest the cows milk protein so it fermented in her stomach causing screaming, green explosive poos and vomiting.

My son is the same - although I knew 2nd time round and went diary free a week before his birth. Was clearer to tell with him as wehen he was a few weeks old I relented and had a creamy pudding, fed him and then all the symptoms my daughter had started within about an hour. As long as I avoided ALL cows milk products he was an angel compared to her!

Why don't you give one of the BF helplines a call - they can help you get your thoughts straight before seeing your GP.

The NCT number is 0300 330 0771

Pisky - thanks. I'm glad you confirm that it can be as instant as you mention happening with your son. A couple of people I have talked to said it was too quick after me eating the chocolate.

The GP was fairly unhelpful - just told me to stay dairy free and that dd might have grown out of it before I wanted to try formula. I will give someone a call as you mention.

yes that sounds a lot like ds2's reactions and coupled with the fact that she was ok when you cut dairy out it would fit in

it may however be an intolerance rather than allergy, in which case there is no testing that can be done

but it's still worth going to the GP and getting a referral for allergy testing too (tho i seem to recall they aren't that conclusive on very small babies??)

My DN had dairy intolerance and SIL found that her eating even tiny quantities or milk or soya triggered it. No point in allergy testing just now.

Suppose it could be, but my dd is allergic to dairy and has never had a problem with my breastmilk even though I myself eat dairy. Our allergy consultant said that the proteins would be so broken down by the time they reach my milk that they'd be highly unlikely to cause problems. Doesn't mean it couldn't happen though!

Libelulle - I was surprised myself that the cows milk proteins can pass through but recently read that this only happens if mum has a sensitivity to cows milk herself - this is how it can pass through her gut.

I hadn't realized I was intolerant to cows milk - until I stopped having it entirely. As soon as I started to have more again I found I would get really bloated and uncomfortable after eating/drink milk products. The year when I was dairy free I didn't have a single cold, no constant runny nose etc. My asthma also improved. I felt so much healthier!

Its amazing how you get used to feeling constantly sluggish. I still limit my diary products now - even though not been BF for several years, as I feel better from it - but do have a weakness for Rodda's Clotted Cream and for cheese.... (Will have to be careful at Christmas!)

i was told (by hv not consultant allergist) it would take around 4 weeks for the effect of dairy in my diet to no longer effect bm, and that soya in my diet could also set dd off - again a 4 week wash out period.

good luck - press for a referral to a paediatrician, preferably one specialising in allergies (who will also be well versed in intolerances).