Baby with severe milk allergies

[Amy]

Anyone had or know a baby with severe milk allergies? One of our hygienists has one and is going insane trying to find a formula that won't make her sick. The baby can't take soy based either. They are on their 9th formula and nothing has worked so far. Has anyone been through this and what worked? Their Dr. in Denver is trying to come up with different formulas, but this baby is sensitive to a lot of things in them.

[MaryL]

I have a nephew who was very sensitive to formula as an infant...I believe he used a formula by Similac....can't remember the name, but I do remember that it was VEEEERRRRYYY expensive!!! Isn't it amazing that we take something like drinking milk for granted??? That poor baby!:( How old is he???

[Jeff]

Originally posted by Amy/CO
Anyone had or know a baby with severe milk allergies? One of our hygienists has one and is going insane trying to find a formula that won't make her sick. The baby can't take soy based either. They are on their 9th formula and nothing has worked so far. Has anyone been through this and what worked? Their Dr. in Denver is trying to come up with different formulas, but this baby is sensitive to a lot of things in them.

I'll talk to the Ross rep when he stops by and see what I can find out for you. (of course I have to remember to do it :-))

[Amy]

Thanks! Im sure they tried the similac formulas already. Hasn't worked so far. They did a scope of her colon and it looks as if she has acne on it-its all blistered from the allergy. She is on some adult formula now, that is watered down and she is showing signs of rejecting that one too.

If you can find out anything Jeff, Im sure my friend would be eternally grateful!

[darlene]

Amy, tell them to try goat's milk. It is easier to digest and is often a perfect alternative to those with milk allergies.

:)

[netmechwife]

I will probably be no help as I breastfed my boys but they both are really allergic to milk products. I tried to give my oldest son formula when he was 6 mos old because I had an infection and couldn't nurse him while on the meds I had to take. I tried it for one day and immediately called my fam doc because he got very sick. The doc said to just feed him his solids since it was just for a week. I also had to stop using milk products while nursing. Neither of my sons use milk. They can tolerate yogurt because it is more processed/broken down (with the good bacteria). If I forget and give them other milk products they get diarrhea that smells horrible. It is very frustrating as a lot of meals have milk or cheese in them. They drink soy milk or rice milk now that they are weaned and over a year old. They use soy cheese, usually. They also take vitamins and extra calcium. The thing to watch with calcium supplements is that some have milk products in them.

Has her family doc/pediatrician had any good suggestions other than formula? Don't be too surprised if he doesn't though. A lot of docs are not exprienced with allergies. How old is the baby? Might a health food store have some kind of product for milk/soy intolerant babies?
I've heard the goats milk suggestion too. Good idea to try.

[Amy]

The baby is only 3 months old. She is miserable with stomach aches after trying to process these different formulas.

Darlene-I haven't really checked about the goats milk yet, but if she is old enough to drink it, then Im sure they have tried it.

The mother was breastfeeding, but since she didn't know about the milk allergy in the beginning, she stop because she thought she was "hungry" and wasn't getting enough breast milk. She is at her wits end.

[netmechwife]

The poor mom! And poor baby. I remember all too well not knowing why my baby was so upset all the time and so sick. I know what she means by thinking the baby was just hugry all the time. My boys were very fussy until I cut the milk out of my diet. I was about at my wits end.

How long has it been since she quit nursing. It may be possible for her to begin hursing again if she wants to try it to help get the milk out of the babies system. She would probably have to avoid milk herself as well until the baby is either weaned or starts solids. My fam doc said I could try drinking milk again at 6 mos. and 8 mos. with my boys to see if it would be ok. They were still sensitive to it even in my breastmilk at both these times. It is a lot of work but it is worth it.

One other thing to remember for her is that the longer a child is exposed to a sensitive food or other allergen the more likely they are to develop allergy to it.



The good news is that many children outgrow this sensitivity, I think I had heard by the time they are 3 (I could be a little off on the age range).

I am hoping for this will be the case for my boys. My oldest loves cheese so it is most difficult with him. He doesn't care anymore though that he gets different milk than us. He just knows it's his milk and cow's milk is our milk. My 1 yo doesn't have enough expreince with real milk products to really care yet. He is content to drink what I give him. My 2 yo is much more sensitive than my 1 yo.

I hope she find something that helps! That would be so frustrating and upsetting for a new mom.