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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Suspected Dairy Allergy

38 replies

QuinnofHearts · 20/04/2023 13:36

Any help would be a great!

I have a beautiful 4 week old DD. I've been combi feeding her which has been a bit rocky.

In the first 2 weeks, I was convinced she had reflux like my DS. We started on Gaviscon which stopped the vomiting but didn't stop the "fussing". Fussing with tummy rumbles, endless wind, constipation and then diarrhoea. Last week I noticed she had eczema, so I've been applying cream to her face and breastmilk but it's not clearing up. This week a family member stated DD could have colic, so I followed all the guidance and started using anti colic bottles but if anything, it's got worse.

By process of elimination, it appears it's a dairy allergy. My husband has one, and DD appears to have one too. Her blocked nose is causing the most issues as she just can't settle at night.

I don't mind buying her soya milk, but what I'm upset by is stopping BF. We have been doing SO well, and today I BF in public for the first time and I was so proud of myself. I was vegan for a while in my early 20s but what I want to know is, how strict do I need to be dairy free? Can I have milk in my tea or do I need to switch to oat milk?

Any help or advice would be amazing, thank you.

OP posts:

Original poster

QuinnofHearts · 20/04/2023 14:34

Bloody love oatly!!!!

OP posts:

Twizbe · 20/04/2023 14:54

Do pop in. You can speak to a qualified breastfeeding councillor who I'm sure will be helpful,

You never know, it might be the one I volunteer at on Friday afternoons

Libmama · 20/04/2023 14:54

Yes you need to quit dairy. My now 4 month old is dairy and egg free now after a process of elimination she can tolerate soya but was still reacting so tried egg and she was better within a couple of days. I’m also veggie and really struggled to begin with without egg or cheese but I’m getting used to not having it now. The cheese replacements are all awful!!

MooMaa83 · 20/04/2023 15:05

Sorry not time to read other comments so far...we have this with my current 6.5 month old and are also combi feeding. You need to eliminate all dairy and wait for it to clear your system....there are lots of substitutes....violife is the best 'cheese' and co-op own GRO chocolate is amazing! You do have to check all packets as milk powder is used in quite a lot of things. The GP prescribed us Nutramigen, and I do not find it smells or tastes bad at all! DD took to it straight away. I didn't want to give up combi feeding, so this has worked really well. They need stage 1 until 6 months, then stage 2. I avoided soya and eggs too initially, then have gradually added these in. Initially I noticed that DD's reflux was worse after I had eggs, but this has been less so recently. Good luck! If it is CMPA you should notice improvements soon.

MooMaa83 · 20/04/2023 15:07

BTW....prescription milk is recommended over soya milk as they have similar proteins (apologies if someone has already said!)

Skybluepinky · 20/04/2023 15:09

Don’t use soya unless u want her to suffer with very heavy period and period pains. Go visit yr GP.

Original poster

QuinnofHearts · 20/04/2023 15:28

Skybluepinky · 20/04/2023 15:09

Don’t use soya unless u want her to suffer with very heavy period and period pains. Go visit yr GP.

She's a newborn...?

OP posts:

Original poster

QuinnofHearts · 20/04/2023 15:29

MooMaa83 · 20/04/2023 15:07

BTW....prescription milk is recommended over soya milk as they have similar proteins (apologies if someone has already said!)

That helps! Thank you!!! And your other advice too!!!

OP posts:

Corkcobain · 20/04/2023 18:01

Sorry i forgot to also say you definitely dont need to stop breastfeeding! As long as you cut dairy (and probably soy - it's often in bread so watch out) you can have a normal breastfeeding journey and there are some studies that your breast milk will actually help heal any damage to babys gut. Even if you have a slip up and accidentally consume dairy it's still recommended to not skip feeds and keep feeding the breast milk - even if it feels counter intuitive.
Also Im sure you already know but just incase lactose free products are not suitable as it's usually the cow's milk protein and not lactose that makes baby react so nothing with milk/whey powder etc. I really recommend the dairy free Philadelphia cream cheese! It's lovely! There are also lots of things like party rings etc that are 'accidentally' dairy free. It's not as overwhelming as it feels in the beginning (im obsessed with cheese lol) once you get into the swing of it and read the ingredients in everything!

Original poster

QuinnofHearts · 20/04/2023 18:09

Corkcobain · 20/04/2023 18:01

You're so kind, thank you! I was vegan back in the early 00s, so luckily I have some experience and I think it's definitely easier now! I just nipped to Sainsbury’s and got some oat milk and fake cheese, let's do this!

OP posts:

Nejnej2 · 20/04/2023 18:21

You may not need to eliminate in your diet - a minimal amount of milk protein comes through in breast milk, most of it is broken down (like it is the the formula the GP is likely to prescribe). It may be worth just switching the formula, and then seeing how things go and removing it from your diet if the same issues are still there?
This definitely doesn't have to be the end of your breastfeeding journey if you don't want it to be!

Sofarsogood123 · 21/04/2023 04:15

Just a heads up. Some GPs can be woefully uninformed about children's allergies. Their lack of knowledge is shocking at times. Hopefully your gp is not like this but just in case:

they might tell you that babies can't be affected through maternal milk. They can. My child's allergy consultant described it to me as 'it doesn't scientifically make sense, but we know it happens'
they might tell you that you have to stop breastfeeding. Again not true. Well covered in this thread.
if you want to combi feed and they aren't giving you what you want formula wise, then you can buy it online to test it out. And then make your case that it made a difference. A letter from a dietitian can also help.
if they do give you formula, they will likely start with something extensively hydrolysed. The milk protein is broken down but not entirely removed. This might not work (although the fact your child reacts less with breast milk is a good sign it might). If it doesn't work ask for an amino acid formula (no milk protein)
make sure they refer you to a paediatric dietician. The cmpa might be isolated but it might not be. Not to scare you but a child with cmpa is more likely to have other allergies than one who doesn't. Particularly if they have eczema/ family history. It doesn't mean they will, but just be aware. In any case having professional support for when you get to weaning and/or the reintro of dairy via a milk ladder is important. The nhs waitlists can be long so get referred in early. You will get much more handheld support privately but that obviously comes at a cost.
there are excellent paediatric dieticians and paediatric allergy dieticians and consultants on Instagram providing excellent advice.

LincolnIsle · 21/04/2023 05:13

Hi! My baby is four months and it sounds like you are describing the first few weeks I had with her! It's so tough. I thought I would really struggle to go dairy free but almost as soon as I did she settled more and slept better. If I was ever tempted to have dairy I would just think which do I value more milk in my tea or a settled baby and more sleep for both of us. In those first few weeks of extreme exhaustion it was always more sleep! In that way it was actually easier to give up than I anticipated 😁 good luck with it and know it will get easier

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