Baby allergy? Drs shocking recommendation

[whoops2024]

Just shocked.

Since birth no formulas have been kind to my DD (mostly terrible poops diarrhoea, blood, mucus or constipation)

She's so far been on-

Cow and gate
SMA Althera
Aptamil Lactose Free
Nurtimagen 2 LGG
currently on Aptamil Pepti 2

But still symptoms are awful. ATM she is congested, watery eyes and mucus poop again.

I called dr to say this isn't working either. He knows she's 6 months and he mentioned changing the formula to Alpro unsweetened oat milk!!!!! I was like sorry what? I don't mean I need a milk for weaning I need a formula for her feeds! He said yes try that. I'm absolutely shocked that a dr has recommended that as a substitute to infant formula!!!

I challenged this and he said "I have run out of options, so continue with the Aptamil Pepti 2 until you hear from dietician" so I asked him to expedite the referral!

I'm shocked! Upset! And having to deal with a poorly baby! Sorry had to vent!!!!

These formulas are so expensive it's unbelievable and for 400g which lasts 2 days if that. Crazy 😔

I wonder if she has hay fever too but these symptoms have always been present since birth and she was born in Nov. So I do still think it's a milk problem.

Exactly if she has an allergy and I did BF we still would have been in a predicament trying to figure it out anyway.

Is she allowed an infant antihistamine? It may make her more comfortable while you work it out.

@myplace in my knowledge you can't give babies antihistamines under 1 years of age. But I could ask the dr incase there's one suitable for under 1s but unsure there is. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Hi OP, allergy mum here and I sympathise so much with everything you’re saying. If there’s anyway you can afford to go private to get a diagnosis I’d massively recommend it.
My son had anaphylaxis to cows milk age 6 months and the GP still wouldn’t refer him for tests. We went private and discovered he was at risk of anaphylaxis for 6 additional allergens as well as cows milk. Having this private diagnosis meant we were then referred into the NHS allergy clinics and were prescribed epi pens. Finally got taken seriously instead of the GP fobbing us off (lost count of the times I was made to feel like an over reacting first time mum).
If you use Instagram Professor Adam Fox is a Paediatric Allergy Specialist and posts useful (not personal) advice and is worth a look.
Good luck, it’s a tough road!

@whoops2024
It's not the GPs fault, they can only prescribe certain milks without sign off and Neocate was £80 a tin when my DC was on it 9 years ago. They also don't all have the knowledge of different milks or reactions, or that your DC may have multiple intolerances alongside a milk allergy.
Definitely see a private dietician if you can, it's so hard to know what to do for the best

I’m an older woman so my baby feeding experience is probably out of date but I weaned one of mine at 6months because of very similar issues.. sadly no special formula around then and he was breastfeeding but not doing well on my milk.. would you consider starting your LO on food ? Apologies if this is not something you want to try - just a suggestion.. because with my tricky one (the other 4 were easy ) turned out to be ravenous.. and thrived (with solid poos for the first time since birth) which was a massive relief .

@Vatsallfolks that's okay thanks for your comment I appreciate your suggestion.

I'm following the guidelines that you can start weaning from 6 months (which we have started) but they also need to be on breast milk or formula alongside it. Around 7-9months you can start dropping formula or breathing feeds.

Honestly I can't wait to fully give her food so I can figure it out much better but at the moment she needs an infant formula as her main source whilst starting weaning. So I'm trying to figure out which formula would be best and what she could be allergic too as I start weaning I also want to know if I can add butters or cheeses yogurts etc into her foods or not. Frustrating but I'm sure we will get there 🙏

Breast milk feeds* that was meant to say not breathing lol. @Vatsallfolks

Oat milk isn’t always just oat water. There are many brands which are suitable for children once they get to 1 years old.

OP I would join the cmpa facebook group.

@Dreichweather I have since @TryingToStayAwake88 mentioned it. Thanking you.

Just waiting for my post to be approved. 🙏🙏🙏

I wouldn’t spend lots of money on a goat’s milk based formula as the proteins are very similar (the only domestic milked animals with a big difference in the proteins are camels) so if sensitive to extensively hydrolysed formula is also very likely to be sensitive to that. Ask your GP to ask paeds for advice, and they’ll advise relocate or equivalent.

Have you started weaning yet? Could it be that she’s reacting to some foods?

Can't you just feed them food now? Mine just had cows milk from 6 months when I stopped breastfeeding. If lactose intolerant then goats milk, but you need to be more conscientious with teeth brushing.

Then they should request sign off and/or refer on. Not give poor, potentially dangerous advice.

Neocate and alphamino literally saved my son and daughter who both has the same problem tiny and I mean tiny tins of milk so make sure to speak to the Dr and say u need a month supply. Also if baby is constipated and full of wind bless her heart you can buy they things on amazon now I warn there awful to do but baby is so relaxed after they really help there like tiny flutes and you can see we're I'm going with this my lil girl was so badly constipated and full of wind feom her milk and each time I had to do this to help her she was like a different child after. I'll see if I can find the name they specifically designed for that situation x

Frida baby windi are what there called look at the reviews all positive x

I strongly advise you to go to a pediatric allergy specialist.

Your baby's nutrition and gut health are too important - get help asap even if you have to pay for the consultation and testing. You'll be referred back to NHS for further treatment/ prescriptions, etc.

My thoughts too. I have a milk allergy & my parents were told to just give me food from 12 weeks - no need to worry about the milk!

That was more than 50 years ago mind you!

Really surprised any doctor would recommend this for a baby. There have been a couple of really tragic cases where well-meaning parents fed their baby plant based milks (most of which are fine as a substitute in your tea but have basically no nutritional value and hardly any calories) resulting in death due to malnourishment. I would find another doctor ASAP.

I'm afraid I can't give you any helpful feeding advice, but I really hope you find answers for your little one soon!

(Edited for typos)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-40274493

Argh neocate autocorrected to relocate. Though, to be fair, you may want to relocate to change GP!

Milk should still be their main source of nutrition until a year old, and plain cows milk doesn't have the nutrition needed by humans.
Too much cows milk at any age can also cause anaemia as well as lacking in the other nutrients they need whilst babies. The cows milk is modified to be more suitable for babies to digest when turned into formula.
Formula was advised until 12 months 35 years back so maybe you got confused with them saying you could introduce cows milk? It can be given alongside food from 6 months but even when we were young formula was advised until 12 months as their drink with cows milk in porridge etc being OK.

Unfortunately you have to push things through when they are babies. My daughter had all of the formulas you mentioned (and I was bfing before anyone had a go at me) and ended up in hospital every time. Each time they said to try the next type but I gave up and just breast fed. Weaning was awful as she was allergic to everything. In the end we saw a private paediatrician and she did RAST tests at 11 months old and I got an apology and Neocate active. She was still really unhappy until I finally weaned her off breast milk at 17 months old. She was reacting to dairy in my diet.

My daughter is 16 now and still has anaphylaxis to milk. It’s been a very difficult road and no doubt there will still be difficulties, but you need to see someone other than a GP.

The allergy drs also say do not use goats milk as the proteins are too similar to cows milk protein.

Oh the green ham strikes again. Never seen a nice or constructive comment.

Request a diff GP and ask for Neocate, I feel for you, it feels relentless.. neocate smells like dishwater, but really helps lots of babies with these symptoms. X

My youngest was given soya baby formula, it stank to high heaven if she sicked any up. We were living abroad and I've not seen Soya one here, does it exist.

I don't get it either. I fed my youngest till she was 3 and still wouldn't be judgemental if someone chose not to. HER body HER choice always🩷