I'm going dairy-free, Nutramigen for DS, should I pump and dump?

[TaurielTest]

Have been advised by paed to give 8 mo DS Nutramigen for his bottle feeds, and for me to go on a milk-free diet (the provisional diagnosis is eosinophilic gastritis/oesophagitis). DS is currently given BF + EBM + formula in that order of preference (no formula the last couple of days). Chatted to GP today, and am seeing the paed in three weeks - not wishing to ignore their advice - but meanwhile I have questions, hoping some folk on here have been there too and can help.

• I'll cut out all dairy (I assume that's necessary for "milk-free") - want to keep milk supply up so GP suggested pump & dump for a week until this has taken effect. Seems drastic - I'd freeze rather than dumping, but couldn't I continue with the BF/EBM as I drop the dairy, and levels would drop gradually? Going straight to 100% bottles of Nutramigen will be a shock to everyone's system. And my fear is that it will finally bring BF to a juddering halt.
• My gut feeling is that DS is not lactose intolerant. Since weaning, he eats yog, fromage frais, custard, porridge etc with gusto, which has been a great relief. Should I still eliminate these from his diet?
• Any Nutramigen tips? I've looked at a few thread on here suggesting a gradual transition as it tastes so nasty...
• What tasty treats can I have to make up for losing the dairy (damn, there seems to be milk powder in everything!)

My head is spinning a bit and I'm losing touch with my instincts on this. His paed is great and v pro BF, so will discuss it with him in 3 weeks. Meanwhile I can go to BF support session tomorrow, but not sure what to ask - am I fighting to keep BF going, or getting support with the transition to bottle feeding? Argh!

puddock, I understand that N. is used for cows milk protein intolerance, not for lactose intolerance.I don't understand why you have been advised to go on a milk-free diet but your baby is still 'permitted' to have milk foods in his diet...this really does not make sense. Perhaps I have misunderstood something ?

They need to explain to you what 'milk free' means.

I dont understand the reasons for giving your baby N. and not breastmilk - clearly, they think the breastmilk is irritating your baby's symptoms in some way, but why not cut out his dairy foods if they think this is the case?

To see any effect on your DS, he and you would have to go totally dairy free - so no milk, cream, yogurt, cheese, or any cakes, biscuits etc etc containing milk/whey etc

TBH, before doing anything so drastic with your diets, your paed should have referred you both to a really knowledgable dietician as there are so many things that contain dairy, and making up those nutrients is tricky.

I wouldn't pump and dump myself - just let the levels go down gradually

Check out the Free From section of the supermarket for dairy free stuff, plus shopping online will give you loads of stockists. Booja Booja truffles are dairy free and fantastic - they also do dairy/soy free icecreams

thank you tiktok - I don't think the paed suggests lactose intolerance either, more a specific reaction to milk in the GI tract. The two bits of advice I've had are to introduce N. and to go milk-free if I wish to continue any BF, but you're right, that begs more questions. There was no mention of whether or not to eliminate dairy foods from DS's diet - and as that hasn't been advised, I don't want to do it unnecessarily. But if he's still having them, why should I cut them? Clearly I need to ask the paed about this - you've helped me get it straight in my head though!
I obviously need to take DS's feeding problem seriously, but don't want to screw up either BFing or his weaning in the process by overreacting. What I think we'll do until the paed appt comes around is use the N for any formula feeds he may have, I'll keep BFing and giving EBM, and keep an eye on how much dairy he has, and we'll see if he improves. I agree with you cutmeown about not pumping and dumping, BF is kind of hanging by a thread anyway and I think this could end it precipitately.
I appreciate your support