13month old - Cow's Milk causing BAD diaper rash??

[Janice Anne]

When my DS#2 turned 13 months old we started him on regular 3% cows milk. No problem with him taking it, and no obvious signs of stomach upset, but he has had a terrible diaper rash! My DH took him to the doctor and asked her if it could be the milk and she said not likely. He has been teething (4 molars coming in at once - 2 already in, 1 just peaking through and 1 more bulging and about to break thru) and very irritated with the pain and drooling a bit. The doctor thought this was the most likely problem with the diaper rash. She perscribed some yeast infection cream and his rash cleared up (but at the same time I also stopped the milk and switch to a Toddler formula). Also, he was perscribed antibiotics for an ear infection as well(when it rains, it pours!)

My DS#2 has been on the same toddler formula for a few weeks now and when we ran out I decided to put him back on milk this week. Sure enough, the diaper rash came right back by the end of the day.

Is it just a coincidence? He doesn't show any irritation with the molars any longer and considerable less drool happening now, so I'm questioning whether it is really the teething causing the rash or if it really is a milk allergy of some sort.

Anyone have any similar experiences or any knowledge on the subject of milk causing a disper rash??

Thanks

[kim&savannah]

I think it could definately be a reaction to the milk.  My DD had MSPI which she outgrew around 14 months.  At that point, we tried putting her on cow's milk but it made her poops the nastiest thing I've ever seen--I don't remember that she got too much of a rash, but I'm sure some considering the poops.

My dr. explained it that even if they don't have a fullblown allergy, lots of kid can't quite process or stomach milk for awhile even after their first birthday.  Our solution was to mix rice milk and cow's milk (we were already used to using rice milk since that's what I was drinking and cooking with the whole time I was nursing).  and a 50/50 mix for a few months did the trick and then she was able to switch to straight milk and was fine--just needed more time for her system to mature.

~Kim

[Mom to M&M]

I agree with Kim, it definitely could be the milk. Was she always on a milk-based formula?

[Janice Anne]

Thanks, good to know. According to my DH, our doctor thought the milk idea was completely off-base.

Yes, our little one was breastfed for approx 3 months before I had to switch to formula which was a milk-based formula. Never had a problem with the formula. I'm going to switch him back to the toddler formula I have for a week and see if his bum clears up, then I'll try the milk for another day just to be certain it's the milk. If this is the case, then I switch him to a lactose-free milk and see if this makes a difference.

Thanks Ladies!

[Mom to M&M]

Unless his formula was lactose free that's likely not the case. It's much more common (at least for Caucasian babies) to have an intolerance to the milk proteins and not the sugars (lactose). I'd wait until his bottom is totally clear and then like Kim said slowly switch him over - maybe one week 75% formula and 25% milk, if that goes well then one week 50/50 formula and milk and so on. Good luck!

[kim&savannah]

According to my DH, our doctor thought the milk idea was completely off-base.

Don't get me wrong--I believe in taking my kids to the dr. and I value their opinions, but I've found that they don't always know what's going on and that every dr. has a different opinion, which means there isn't always one solution or one right answer and every kid is unique and so I trust my own intuition and research as much as theirs.  At least in things like this.  You are the one seeing the reaction--you will notice connections more than the dr. will.  And if something seems to work, then just go with it.

Hope you can get his bum clearer up

~Kim

[Jimbob]

I also think it could be a reaction to the milk. You have been given some great advice.

Kelly

[Janice Anne]

Thanks so much, everyone! Glad to know I was off-base with my theory.

[Gippie]

Didnt read all the other posts.....just wanted t oshare that mu cousin's 13mo DD had a red bum and diareahha with her DD on whole milk.  They were BF, then formula for a few months and the whole cow threw her.  She is doing prefect on 2% or 1% - forgot which one!   

[Aly Mac]

when I put Lilly on more whole milk the same thing happened.  It has settled now.  Ith ought it was odd as she loves dairy, and have been giving her milk in things, but I think it was just the increase in actual milk as a drink.  I took it back a notch and intro'd a bit slower.  It was just my gut feeling that it was the milk.  she's fine now (Oh, and she was bf, no formula, and still is bf a few times a day)