Breastfeeding to formula, now possibly allergy?

[webster144]

Hi all,

My baby is just under 4 months old and up until the last week has been exclusively breastfed. We are now doing some combination feeding with formula as a result of a difficult month BF, I had mastitis and a stint in hospital, a dipping supply due to this and then I had a bad tummy bug and wasn't able to eat much/look after myself...anyway, my supply is at its all time lowest, I've had to make the difficult decision to start introducing formula as my little one has been crying after feeds and very fussy which we put down originally to some wind, but we tried her with a bottle to top her up after and she guzzled the lot and has been loving it since - she seems a lot happier since we have. I feel awful that I didn't see the signs sooner!

Anyway, since a few days ago I've noticed a red raised patch on one of her cheeks and it's now appeared on her chin too (right on the tip), it doesn't seem to be bothering her but I can't help but worry it might be an allergy to formula?

Has anyone any experience with this and might be able to offer some advice on what I can do? Both my HV and GP surgery are useless, I'm planning on trying to move surgeries soon as I'm not happy with either of them and they are never able to offer the right help or support (I had not long moved to the area whilst pregnant and wasn't registered anywhere and had to pick suddenly as I became unwell).

Thanks in advance - don't want to jump the gun and say she has an allergy just seems a coincidence the rash has appeared at the same time as the introduction!

Thanks x

Can you describe it a bit more - do you mean spots, is it very red or just a bit pink? Children won’t have an allergy to formula in general - possibly and ingredient in formula and some have dairy allergies but the symptoms of that are I think more severe and often tummy related. Have you tried a different formula? My DS regularly got red spots here and there that just came and disappeared for no apparent reason - it could be anything as at that age they’re still getting used to lots of different parts of their environment. What did the gp and hv actually say?

Thanks for response @Pinkblueberry

It's like a raised red almost eczema looking patch on her cheek with one or two little red spots located nearby. The patch on her chin is similar.

She has reflux and is on ranitidine and is generally a very windy and uncomfortable baby, she cries a lot because of wind and I have to do regular massaging to get her comfortable. I just feel like I'm doing everything wrong and I can't help her! It seems like it's all worse now too that she's been having some formula, yesterday I was feeding her off me, then bottle next, then me etc etc, she was a complete nightmare afterwards and wouldn't settle and screamed in agony, then did explosive diarrhoea but it did also contain some thicker bits which would make me think she might also be constipated.

I haven't yet spoken to the GP or HV yet about these patches on her skin as they are so new, the HV was out last Tuesday and I discussed going to formula and she gave me some advice re combination feeding, breastfeeding etc, but I'm yet to get in touch with her since the skin issues, same with GP.

I was just curious to see if anyone else has experience with these problems and might be able to offer some advice or what worked for them.

She's currently on cow & gate, but I've bought Hipp organic as I've heard good things about it and it's meant to be gentler on the tummy.

Thanks x

Both my DDs have CMPA. What you are describing though could be teething?

Do you want to ff or bf?

@Selfsettlingat3 thanks for reply, I would have liked our BF journey to be a little longer but I've found it incredibly hard on me emotionally, my supply has just been getting lower and lower and I feel like FF might be the best way to go now, or even just combination feeding as I'm still enjoying feeding her first thing in the morning and last thing at night. As they say happy mum happy baby, you've got to do what works for you! I don't feel happy right now and I'm constantly worrying about bf and my supply and in turn it's making it worse as I continue to stress!!

That's interesting to read about teething though, she has been incredibly dribbly and does chew a lot on things. Are you referring to the rash on her face, or her overall being? As we've had her diagnosed reflux from 5 weeks and she's always been very windy too. Not sure if this would be a result of teething in our case?

Thanks x

There’s no harm changing or trying out different formulas if you think that’s what it is - I combination fed too from day one because DS didn’t latch, but I didn’t really see a difference in what formula we used. DS had breastmilk, mamia formula at home and aptimil or cow and gate ready bottles when we were out, it didn’t seem to make any kind of difference to him at all - he spat up afterwards every time which was fun, I think he also had mild reflux. But like a PP said it could also be teething or plenty of other things - so checking with the HV if you’re worried is probably best.

Ps @Selfsettlingat3
What was your CMPA diagnosis journey like?

Thanks x

It does sound like teething, dribble can cause a rash (a bit like nappy rash) so keep moping her face and see if that helps.

Assuming you eat/drink a normal amount of dairy yourself I wouldn't leap to cmpa at this stage, if you're vegan or something then do look into it.

First DD was mixed fed until 6 weeks then ff. I always thought something wasn’t right but was dismissed as a first time Mum. She was on ranitidine from about 2 months. We went lactose free at 7 months and saw a dietitian at 11 months who said CMPA. Interestingly we always stayed on her weight % until we went dairy free and then it increased to match her height.

DD2 is only 14 weeks, we mixed feed until 6 weeks but is now ebf. I also think mixed feeding wold be best. Was on ranitidine but it made on difference and there is currently a health scare about it. Her paediatrician does not think she has CMPA but I do. Since I’ve gone dairy and soya (similar protein) free she has stop her huge daily vomits. Her weight has always been maintained on her % so dr not interested. But at 4 months she is being very difficult the last few days which I’m putting down to vaccines and teething.

In an ideal world I would mix feed but it’s not a good idea for us at the moment.

Teething makes them miserable, rosey red cheeks and a dribble rash.

I would definitely recommend hipp organic, it's much gentler on the stomach.

Reflux babies often have dairy intolerances. I would suggest going to your gp to request a neocate formula prescription: It made a huge difference for my daughter and enabled us to manage her reflux so much more effectively