My Total Elimination Diet Journal

[Mydreamcametrue]

I hope you get in fast.  More than likely, they will want to do a scope on her so they can see what is going on.

So I have a question for you:  How are YOU feeling?  With such a limited diet, do you feel healthy and okay? 

I'm just worried that this could take over and you may develop fears of eating anything because she may react to it.  (If you know what I mean).

I think breastfeeding is great and you are very amazing what you are doing, but there are times when babies react to everything and have to be put on special formula's (Neocate/Elecare).  In the end, a mother cannot limit her diet but so much.  You must eat a well balanced meal to provide breastmilk with all the nutrition she needs.

I am not discouraging you nursing her at all, but in the end if she is reacting to everything you are eating, are  you okay with trying a special formula?

Hugs to you and I am sorry she has lost some weight, but 50% is still good.

Wendy

[shivi]

yes, two SDs betwen weight and height is still fine, as in height on 90th and weight on 50th....it's when the gap goes to three or more they begin to worry. As a baby my DS was on 97th for length, off the centiles for head circ and around 50-75th for weight all the time (maybe around the chubby 8-10th month his weight crept up a little more, but no higher than 75th) and since he started to crawl, then run (I think he walked for two days LOL) he's back to his original statistics....

do let us know how YOU are doing...and as Wendy says, there are other options.

more big hugs

Siobhain x

[hippychickaquarius]

Hey!  I've been lurking on these boards for a while, but when I saw this post, I just had to register.  I have a 12 week old who started showing signs of a MPI around 4-5weeks.  After eliminating dairy for 2 weeks, then soy, then wheat and eggs, we still found blood in his stool.  So, I started the Dr. Sear's elimination diet a month ago, and I'm failing miserably at figuring things out.  I'm starting to think rice (one of the safest foods) is actually a problem. 

How is your supply?  I'm worried about mine.  I need to try adding oatmeal, but I'm so afraid to.  DS just seems to react to everything, and I just have a feeling gluten will cause a reaction.

Have you lost weight?  In the past month I've lost the last 14 pounds of pregnancy weight plus another 2 pounds.  I know this isn't healthy, but I don't know what to do!

How do you find a nutritionist?  Is a nutritionist knowledgeable enough about allergies and bfing?

DS absolutely refuses a bottle, and I really don't want to try formula anyway.  I thought bfing was supposed to help prevent allergies!  We have an appointment with an allergist on Tuesday, although I'm not counting on much help.  DS is just too young. 

I'm not dedicated enough to post my food journal, but I'd love to keep reading updates on yours!
-Melinda

[scarlettsmom]

Hi Melinda - welcome!  Feel free to use this post as a sounding board for yourself as well.  (((hugs))) I'm sorry you and your LO are going through this too.  It's frustrating isn't it.  Very interesting about rice - we appeared to have a reaction too!  But now I'm not sure if it's GI related or allergy related or what. 

Yes - I've lost a lot of weight - I'm about 30lbs below my prepregnancy weight - I'm eating lots trying to keep my supply up and to not lose more than a lb or two a week, but that can be challenging.  Just keep in mind it can take a few weeks for the milk protein to get out of your system and then a couple weeks to get out of his.  I think we saw a big change around 3-4 weeks after going so strict.  If you are introducing new foods I would really go w/the oatmeal or avocados if you can.  I think they have both been helping my supply - and especially w/getting easy, fast high calories in w/good fats (through the avocado).  But I completely understand about being scared to introduce anything, you just never know what the reaction will be.

Wendy and Shivi - thanks for asking how I'm doing.  Wendy - you hit the nail on the head regarding developing a fear of food.  It's gotten a little better - but I've had anxiety dreams where I've had a "bad" food and I'm just panicked and freaked out and trying to vomit to get it out.     And even in every day routines (like making cookies w/DD1) - I have a moment of panic asking myself "did I like that icing off my finger? did I mix the silverware?"  It is a little worrisome.  Like Melinda I would prefer to not go to formula - however I will be trying a little of the Neocate because I have to know that there is SOME type of back up for DD if my supply diminishes and my frozen stash is gone.  Especially when it's time to start solids - I don't if my supply will keep up - I so so so hope so, but I don't think I can bank on it.

Shivi - what's SD?

We got a GI appointment for Feb. 12.  That is perfect to me - Gwyneth will be 6 months old at that time and either doing much better or very much needing the appointment.  I so hope they don't have to do a scope - that really makes me sad - she's such a sweet little thing, I don't want her to have to go through any unneccesary prodecures.  But it may give us some answers, so we'll deal with it when we get there.  Also - I have been referred to one of the best ped allergists in the area and will be calling him this week to see if when it would be beneficial to come in. 

Last night DH bought a bottle of organic red wine and persuaded me to have a glass.  It was pretty great!  I didn't have to feed Gwynnie until 4 am (from 7) so it was most likely out of my system - but I'm interested in seeing how it goes.  So far today she's been great.  Would love to add wine to my diet!   

Well, we are just trying to stay very positive and upbeat and move forward as best as we can.  For the most part things are going very well - it's when I look ahead that I get very anxious.  We'll just have to take it one step at a time!  We have a weight check soon, I'll let you know how it goes.

 
Tari

[Mydreamcametrue]

Hi there.  If you she does okay with the red wine, check the ingredients and you may be able to add some of the stuff in the wine in your diet, such as grapes.

my frozen stash is gone - Is your frozen stash at all from when you were eating foods she reaccted to?

I would still try to introduce foods into your diet.  I think it is a great thing you are doing.  Just remember tough you have to stay healthy and strong for her.

Hugs to you...  Hang in there and just keep trying. Wendy

[shivi]

sd is standard deviation...so on the charts you have 50th (norm of norms), then going downwards, 25th, 10th and 5th and upwards 75th, 90th and 95/97th.

so if weight is on 50th and height is on 90th then you have them 2 sds apart, which is ok. Its when the weight tapers to 25th and height stays at 90th lets say that there may be an issue.

I have had issues with Oscar's head circ (never fit on the 97th centile till 2 yr check up LOL) since birth....so there are kids who are literally "off the charts" at either end and perfectly ok.

more hugs and glad you got to drink the wine.

Siobhain x

[MLK]

Wow I've eliminated some foods from my diet but I can't believe you've been on such a restricted one for so long! And losing so much weight, it can't be good for you. I think you need to add some fat to your diet, as well as B vitamins.  Some things to try:

chicken liver -  if you have chicken this should be OK, it's got lots of B-vitamins and vitamin A
lamb
potatoes - usually OK, some don't do well with vegies from the nightshade family
quinoa  - high in iron & protein, supposed to be good for milk supply, need to soak overnight and rinse WELL before cooking
Arrowroot - to bulk up your diet a bit
Sweet potatoes/pumpkins/squash/yams
Root vegetables eg carrots, parsnips, beetroot
coconut milk or oil - for added fat and calories. The fatty acids in it are good for fighting infections too
flax seeds - for omega 3 oils. Ground up is nice on top of porridge

You can get extra calcium from boiling up chicken bones to make a broth. But you'd still need to take a supplement, pref with added vitamin D.

You might also want to take a probiotic supplement, you can get dairy free ones.

Hope this helps

[scarlettsmom]

Quinoa - what a great idea!  I love it, had no idea that it may also be good for milk supply.  Thanks Lan for those suggestions, very helpful.  I'm also going to check out the coconut milk/oil. 

Wendy - no my stash isn't from far back to include the "trigger" foods.  I had to dump tons of milk, it was torture to do! 

Ahh - that makes sense Shivi (regarding the SD) thanks for explaining.  DD1 was off the charts for height every now and then.  Looking back at her records though she and DD2 actually weighed the exact same at 4 months - DD1 was like off the charts height and %50 weight. 

So - Gwyneth has actually been eating great this week.  I think I have a bit of luck on my side because I had an oversupply issue when she was first born and if I have her eat a little more during the day I see a noticeable difference the next day.  So that makes me feel better.  She also apparently is going to love wine just like her mama, lol.  No reactions at all.  I have however decided only a glass for special occasions as I felt a noticeable difference in my supply and don't want to do anything to impact it more.  Darn, and I was so looking forward to a lunchtime cocktail!   

[lisah_12]

Hi everyone.  I've never done this before, but I started an elimination diet monday.  I eat only Turkey, Chicken, rice, potatoes, and lettuce.  My 1 month old daughter has colic and Dr. suspects food allergies and reccommended this diet.  2 days after starting the diet, she was MUCH happier, and actually slept during the day for a few naps.  Its worth it to eat such limited foods to have her happy!  So now I'm at the point where I'm trying to introduce new foods, I had carrots yesterday, but I also had a cup of herbal tea before bed and she's been fussy all day. Now I'm afraid to eat both of those foods.  I know that we're only supposed to introduce one food at a time, so I probably messed up there!  We won't add any new foods now for another 3 days.  I was psyched to find you girls!  I think that if I'm going to stick with this, I'll need lots of support! 

[MLK]

Lisah_12, it could have been the herbal tea, they often have lots of flavourings added.  I drink a plain rooibos tea which my baby tolerates just fine. I've recently introduced a 70% dairy free dark chocolate into my diet and he is fine with it! Bliss!

It's scary adding in foods sometimes, but I couldn't live on such a limited diet. So far I've added back wheat and eggs and he is OK. At first I thought the wheat was a no go, then I realised it was a teething gel that was causing him to projectile vomit. So life is much easier now.

[scarlettsmom]

Hi Lisah!  Welcome!  I'm so glad to hear that your LO had such great results from your diet changes.  Just know that it can take a few weeks to completely clear out if it's M(S)PI (out of both your systems).  It can be very challenging, but I found after the first 2 weeks (I got some headaches too, I guess as my body was detoxing...) it was much much easier.  Are you eating organic?  If not make sure you check the ingredients on the chicken - sometimes preservatives have milk/soy in them.  Good luck introducing more foods!

Lan - WHAT chocolate are you eating?  Is it Ghiradelli's?  Let us know!  That is something I would looooove to introduce someday....ooooooh, I can't even imagine.  Yum! 

Wendy - DD tolerated the wine very well, so took your advise and went the grapes route.  Had some raisins - was really craving them, so we'll see how it goes.  If it's ok then I will continue with some healthier choices.  We'll see!  Keeping fingers crossed.

[MLK]

Tari, I live in Australia and there a few brands that do a dairy free 70% cocoa chocolate. I'm not sure what you have where you  are, but I know Lindt does one here. Sometimes you can find it in the baking section! Unfortunately some babies react to even dairy free chocolate so I'm lucky.

[scarlettsmom]

Oooh, I love Lindt.  Will have to check out in a few weeks.  You're so lucky your bub tolerates it, that's awesome! 

[scarlettsmom]

Just a quick update:  we tried an oz of Neocate last night mixed in w/5ozs of EBM.  As of this morning she seems to have done fine with it, but I don't know how long it would take to see a reaction?  If everything looks good today we are going to try 2ozs w/4ozs EBM tonight.  Keeping my fingers crossed....

[Spectra]

Good luck Tari, hope it all goes well!