Breastfeeding and restricted diet

[Imeg]

My baby is 19weeks and I am breastfeeding though he has occasionally had formula. He's doing really well but I've been quite under the weather, grumbling upset stomach that won't settle. I know that wheat has been a problem in the past and the doctor has now said to avoid dairy until I'm better. I am feeling generally rubbish which I think is because I'm not eating enough - I'm really struggling to find bland high calorie foods which don't contain wheat or dairy.
Any suggestions or anyone been in a similar situation? I'm wondering whether it might be better to stop breastfeeding to give myself a chance to recover as I'm sure it's putting an extra strain on me that I don't need. But the baby does tend to be much sickier on formula.

From a friend's experience the most important thing to eat in good quantities for bf is protein.

Other than that I would eat what makes you comfortable as long as you and the baby are a healthy weight.

I don't think you need to eat protein to bf?

High calorie, bland, non-dairy foods - how about eggs? Avocado? Bananas? I like rice, especially rice and peas cooked in coconut milk, when I've been ill.

Sorry I meant protein containing foods!

Why protein containing foods for bf though?

Home made flapjack is a good energy boost - instead of butter, use dripping! It comes in blocks, is in the butter section of all supermarkets, is super cheap and really tasty, lovely and buttery. Much nicer than margarine

I was dairy free (on NHS dietician advice) for the best part of 2 years while bf and ate a lot of flapjack, hummous, olives, nuts, and meat.

Has your GP referred you to a dietician? Could he/ she speed up the referral to make sure you get the support you need ASAP? It sounds from your post as though you've been left a bit on your own with it. The allergies board on here ( in the health section) is full of helpful people in the meantime.

hmm i have been at starvation point and still bf okay. i had hg and developed ketosis in early pg with dc2. hospitalized for 2 weeks on 2 seperate occasions and still managed to bf dc1 who was 15m at the time. was only feeding in day when she came to hospital to see me but supply.unaffected so personally no food didn't affect bf at all!!

Thanks for your suggestions. It's tricky getting further medical investigation/referrals etc as I'm on holiday staying with a relative and the GP here said I need to go back to my own GP for further tests if it's grumbling on (eg for coeliac). The problem being that it's a long journey to get home and I have limited help with the baby there so I need to feel better before I go home so a bit of a catch-22! I will go back to the GP here and pester if I'm not improving though.

I'm a coeliac so gluten free, DS is allergic to dairy and soy so I eliminate those too.

If you are eliminating dairy, you need to eliminate soy too as 40% of babies will have problems with both. Oatly, almond or Koro milk are good alternatives.

Food wise, potatoes are a staple for me. New potato salad made with Hellmans full fat mayo (low fat has cream in) is good to have in the fridge.

I roast a chicken or do pulled pork and have those in the fridge. Some hams, salami, sausages are ok. Pate from Tesco also ok.

Boiled eggs and eggs in general.

Gluten free bread is free from dairy and soy too.in fact a lot of the free from section is fine.

Sesame seed snack bars, some flapjacks and oat cakes.

It gets easier once you get used to it

Oops sorry thought it for for the baby

As an aside when I was first diagnosed with coeliac disease, was lactose intolerant and switched to soy before realising I had (temporary) problems with both. Could be worth a try anyway.

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