Is a strict dairy free diet ok for me whilst breastfeeding?

[michelleecrawford]

My 4 month old son appears to have a milk allergy. The consultant prescribed Nutramigen (which he simply refuses) so I have had to continue feeding myself and have therefore been on a strict dairy free diet. Am I doing myself any damage? Should I be looking for alternatives? Any ideas? When I saw the consultant I had already cut out milk, cheese, yoghurts etc., but was still having soya or goats milk in my tea and he said that these would still have an impact. I must say that since cutting these out (as well as reading lables and cutting out chocolate!!!) there has been a significant improvement. This obviously makes me a little nervous trying alternatives. If I can find a formula that he takes then I guess it will be short-term - but if I can't then I guess I could be feeding (or expressing) for a long time!

Also, out of curiosity, does anyone know whether dairy intolerance is linked to bronchiolitis? My son has had it 3 times now - once very badly and was on oxygen in hospital.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Lou C]

Hi Michelle, I'm quite new around here too so I'm sure the others will have loads of advice for you. In my personal experience babies who suffer bronchiolitis a lot often go on to be diagnosed as asthmatic which can be linked to dairy allergy. My son (he'll be one next week) has asthma and dairy allergy as well as eczema, I continued breastfeeding but luckily my diet didn't seem to impact on him, but he also had nutramigen.
Is it the bottle that he doesn't like or the milk. I've found with all my children that I have really had to persevere in trying to get them to take a bottle, trying different teats etc. even if you have to use a trainer cup ( I like the Avent trainer spouts that fit their bottles, they're nice and soft) If it's the milk try mixing it with expressed milk with mostly your milk at first then gradually change the mix till he will accept just the nutramigen. I think there are other milks but I'm sure the other "experts" on here will help you with that one along woth some advice on your diet. Take care x

[matt]

chest stuff could be related as dairy can induce excess mucuss etc. can't hurt to cut it out.

just make sure you are suppilmenting your calcium intake. doctor hsould prescribe something if he's telling you to avoid.

[ellsie]

You need to take a calcium supplement if you are feeding. Check with your health visitor but I took double the normal amount of tablets as that was what was recommended for nursing mothers at that time. You can get them in most supermarkets but always get a combined one with vit D. I have a milk allergy and asthma and eczema and they are all related I'm afraid.:bwelcome:

[cnc]

Milk and asthma in my experience are related. Cutting out dairy improved my asthma hugely. My peak flow went up by about 100 after I cut out dairy

[Debbbie]

My son is now a year old and has a milk allergy that was eventually discovered at 5 months after a severe reaction. I was breastfeeding at the time and was told by the hospital to switch from breastfeeding to Nutramigen. I was advised to introduce it over two weeks, cutting out one feed to another and so on.. Did not work. He'd never drank from a bottle and refused point blank at drinking it from a beaker which he was used to. So, i stopped breast during the day. He had no option, but to drink the nutramigen. I continued breastfeeding at night for a couple of weeks, because he got very ill (which i think was the switch, just to warn you).
I hope this helps. If you need to ask any further questions to help, just pm me. His eczema has almost cleared too after 6 months of non-dairy.

[Nic]

Welcome!

I'm another one with milk allergy, asthma and eczema - they all do tend to go together, I'm afraid.

My GP volunteered to do blood tests to check calcium levels etc (I haven't quite got round to this yet, since I'm fine) but perhaps yours could get some done urgently, and then advise you on dietary supplements / vitamins as necessary?

BTW, if you can't have soya or goats milk in tea, would oat or rice milk be OK? If so, those might be good substitutes. Though I suspect you'll need to be careful not to have too much of any one substitute, as that can provoke an allergy to the new thing (I think someone here has had experience of that with their child, and will be able to tell you about it).

Best wishes,

Nic

[rebecca c]

I agree with the others about the brochiolitis.

I breast fed both of mine for ages. Couldnt get them to take the bottle and although it was a lot of work its hard to regret it, a social life might have benefitted my mental health though.

Dont forget other calcium sources like leafy veg especially broccoli and also brown bread. I have been using figs and rhubarb.

My list also includes spinach,okra,spring greens,dried apricots,watercress,beetroot, spring onions and vine leaves (excuse to eat dolmades), tahini, boney fish like sardines ( I rely on these a lot). Whitebait are meant to be the best but I havent got hold of any yet - thinking of trying the internet or living in a tapas bar.

[michelleecrawford]

Thank you everyone for your replies - the information you have provided is absolutely fantastic. I will definitely speak to the health visitor tomorrow about calcium supplements.

[Pam]

Hi MIchelle, welcome to the site.

http://www.vegansociety.com/html/people/lifestyle/families/parenting/vegan_children/breastfeeding.php
This is a link to the Vegan Society's breastfeeding page. It tells you about alternative sources of calcium and how to ensure that both you and baby stay healthy. There are also fact sheets for feeding older children and pregnancy. You don't need to follow a vegan diet but you might find some it of it useful.

Hypoallergenic formula milks are foul smelling and strange tasting so it's no wonder that your son is reluctant to try them. Goats milk may or may not be a problem - a lot of people can tolerate it when they cannot tolerate cows milk. Soya milk you need to be cautious with as a lot of people develop intolerance to soya when it is used as a substitute.

You need to experiment a bit and see what suits you and what doesn't. A good health food shop will show you lots of alternatives and give you good advice on supplements (be careful with off the shelf calcium tablets as some contain milk).

[michelleecrawford]

Web-site is good - thank you. Spoke to health visitor today who says if short-term then I don't need to take supplements. Seeing the Consultant in a couple of weeks time - so I can go armed with all this new information and discuss whether I continue trying with Nutramigen, a different formula or continue feeding myself. I am happy to continue feeding myself but I guess I'm a little concerned that although all the other symptons have disappered (mainly stomach pains with wind (quite mild considering what most of you seem to have been through) he is still very stuffy/mucusy. He could just be taking a long time to get completely over severe bronchiolitis at Christmas but I am a little concerned this could be asthma, especially as he has recently been finding it difficult to get his breath during coughing fits on a few occasions. I don't know enough about whether this is asthma and whether eliminating from my diet will stop it progressing (showing my ignorance here). I do not have any allergies in my family - this is all completely new to me.

[Lou C]

Hi Michelle, My little boy was in hospital boxing day with his chest, and since then has never really been rid of the cold, then had chest infection a couple of weeks ago. It sounds to me as though your little boy is similar. I would probably take him back to the GP, tell them about his breathing difficulties and just ask them to check his chest. They don't normally diagnose asthma till they are about 2,but may prescribe inhalers if the problem persists. Take care, Lou xx

[cnc]

I don't know enough about whether this is asthma and whether eliminating from my diet will stop it progressing (showing my ignorance here). I do not have any allergies in my family - this is all completely new to me.

There's nothing you can do as far as I understand to stop asthma from developing. However, if its managed well, and he only has it mildly, or has a similar form to me then it shouldn't stop him doing things- I rowed for the university over summer, for example. Try not to worry about it too much.

Good luck- I agree with Lou, go back to the GP, and just get it checked out.

[ellsie]

Do you have any pets that could cause an allergy?

[michelleecrawford]

Took your advice and saw dr - not on the chest all in the nose and she prescribed some nasal drops. No pets (well rabbits in the back garden) - but I think it's probably down to my biggest weakness BREAD. So going to look for some milk/soya free bread. Thanks again EVERYONE for all your advise.