Milk/Soy Protein Intolerance - MSPI - READ HERE!!!

[GraceKellysmom]

Cute pic!! 

[SAHNE]

Is it possible that reactions to what I'm eating can be delayed in my 4.5 month old?  It seems like he used to react several hours later.. but I had been avoiding beef and recently (a few bites Saturday and then a hb on Monday) tried to reintroduce... he was fine until today where he is gassy, has very runny diapers and now is having trouble going down for his nap - keeps pulling his legs to his chest.  Any thoughts?  Do I assume this is a reaction to the beef?  I haven't had anything else new except a plum for lunch - but he only ate an hour after that.  Help!?

Thanks,
Steph

[SAHNE]

See above... I'm back again this afternoon.  Been thinking all afternoon about giving up breastfeeding and switching to formula.  Has anyone done this?  I'm soooo frustrated with trying to figure out what ds is reacting to and just about to start solids and very nervous about it.  I have some Alimentum (sp?) to try out - ds hasn't ever had formula - he's 4.5 months.  Wondering if this will make things easier on me... but how will it affect my lo??  I've also been struggling with ms - been on fenugreek.  Please share your thoughts.. I'm at a loss.

Steph

[First Time Mom]

I know how you must feel, I've been in the same situation and it's so frustrating. What made you decide to eliminate beef? Is your ds allergic to milk products? If so, it could be the bread (I'm assuming you had a bun with your hb). I've had to cut all bread and baked goods due to the butter and milk, my dd reacts with the smallest amount and it can be a delayed reaction for her but with her it includes blood in her stool. We saw a baby allergist specialist and this helped to determine her allergies (though the typical skin milk allergy test does not determine the protein allergy)

You need to decide what is best for your lo and for you, I can only tell you my personal situation and that is that I decided to continue bfing even though my diet is very limited. I am now used to my diet and have found interesting food "treats" to have now and then, I'm VERY happy to have continued bfing. If you decide to switch to formula do know that you gave your ds a GREAT start bfing as long as you have.

[GraceKellysmom]

I think it's pretty normal to have a delayed reaction like that. Did you cook the hamburger yourself? Have you eaten out somewhere that could have brushed the burger with butter or cooked it in "whirl" a buttery grease?

Formula wasn't an option ($-wise) for us, and I am thankful because it made me have to continue. I did consider formula for dd when she was 10 months old, I was 8 weeks pregnant and not producing much milk. The Alimentum is nasty, imho, she wouldn't drink it and I wouldn't either. Most milk protein intolerant babies can't handle it - it still has milk proteins they are just "pre-digested" If soy is ok, soy formula is an option, otherwise you'll have to go with the hypoallergenic Neocate or similar, which means big $$$ bucks.

My sister is milk-free too, nursing her 9 month old, and she tried reintroducing milk last month. Cora broke out in a rash, had visible blood in her poop, mucus, woke up hourly, and got a double ear infection. When I look back on how fast it went - I just have to keep saying "it was so worth it" to give them health, and a chance at life without food allergies.

Even if you have a few bad spells now and again, are most days good?

[SAHNE]

Yes - most days are very good.  Thank you both for your encouragement.  I feel like there are so many ups and downs that take me on an emotional rollar coaster... but you're so right it is best and easiest for both Carter and I!  He is so healthy and growing so well.. I don't know why I get so stressed out. 

As for the beef the lc recommended I avoid this, the ped told me she hadn't seen this to try it again.  I also realized b/c of ms issues I had given Carter some stored milk the night before - which could have been bad or something i guess.  Maybe it wasn't the burger (which we did grill ourselves)... I'll have to try again in a few weeks.  As for the bun... I thought it was m/sf except for some soy flour (which I thought he could tolerate).  I have been eating a Sara Lee wheat bread all along that I think is ok.  Have you tried this Firsttime Mom.  I feel like I'm in the movie groundhog's day... trying to get his diet perfect.  Maybe perfection isn't goal.. maybe it's more like survival!

Thanks for the encouragement.  I'll press on!  Is is reasonable to consider weaning at 12 months with a mspi baby?  I need to have an endpoint in mind!
Steph

[GraceKellysmom]

Absolutely, as long as he's game. DD weaned herself three days shy of her first birthday. I started giving her a cup of soy milk at 11 months, instead of one nursing. I increased that a couple weeks later by one cup. My milk supply dwindled (I was 20 weeks pregnant) and she weaned and just had soy milk in a straw cup.

[mommynow]

Hi everyone,

My daughter is 14 1/2 months old and I still nurse her because our ped. recommended me continue until she outgrows MSPI.  I have extended my maternity leave for another year so this is possible for me.  I can now eat in the last couple weeks some soy and I don't think she is reacting.  My question is how do I check if she still has a sensitivity?  Do I see if she can tolerate it through the breastmilk first?  Then try giving her yogurt, cheese etc? 

Thanks

[First Time Mom]

Mommynow, I've read to just try every now and then to reintroduce milk products. My ped and childrens' allergist said no as blood in the stool can be microscopic, instead I have to wait until dd is 12 mths then they will do blood work/stool sample, do a milk challenge followed by more blood work/stool sample. In her case (when I ate milk products) she was cranky/in pain and had lots of blood in her stool. My ped has also told me to bf as long as possible and not use milk alternatives. I enjoy bf but hate that I've eliminated all milk products, for all I know she's outgrown it yet I am having to wait until the tests at 12 mths.

Steph, how are you doing? I haven't had the SL bread, I found a wheat bread with no milk products and most pita breads I can eat.

I have a FAB recipe for muffins if anyone is interested.

[SAHNE]

Wow!  I admire you all so much for pressing on - this is such a difficult thing to do (the MSPI diet) - I can't even imagine doing it for more than a year - the past 4 1/2 months have been hard enough for me.  Overall we're doing pretty good.  I know that Carter is very ready to have solids and I'm excited for him to as well- but I'm so nervous I won't be able to tell what he is/isn't reacting to since I haven't got my own diet perfect for him yet.  I am going to go ahead and try Alimentum this week just to see if he tolerates... I am planning to give for 1 feeding tomorrow and 2 the next day.  Will it be obvious if he reacts or not??  Do I look for the same reaction as to what I'm eating?  I have had so many milk supply issues which combine with the MSPI issues to stress me out.  I need to have a backup as I am running low on my EBM supply.  Hopefully then we'll try solids this weekend.  At this point I plan to continue bf until 12 months - if possible - hopefully though if I make it that far I can go as long as he needs me!!!  Thanks for all your support.  I never realized how challenging this parenting thing could be Or as rewarding!!  BTW  I'd love your muffin recipe! 

[GraceKellysmom]

Mommynow, at 14.5 months, since you are still breastfeeding, I would check her tolerance through you breastmilk first. I wouldn't try a new thing more often than every other week though, since it can take so long for a reaction.

Yogurt is the best milk product to try first. It is easier on your tummy after being gone off milk so long.

I have to say that Max has been weaned since last November, and I am still pretty much on MSPI diet. The only dairy I eat is butter, and very rarely cheese. Rice milk and Rice Dream ice cream are just fine for me, thanks! I just feel so much better on the MSPI diet, more energy, bowels feel better. So if a year "sentence" sounds like an eternity, well it isn't!  Some of us crazy ones just keep on going. Especially with nursing, that 1 yr birthday comes up, and many of us just aren't quite ready to quit!

[First Time Mom]

SAHNE, here's the recipe-

2 cups flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp salt
2 cups raisins
2 cups chopped nuts (I use almonds, walnuts and pecans)
2 cups flaked unsweetened coconut
3 eggs
3/4 veg oil
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups grated zucchini or peeled carrots (I use 1 cup of each)
1 grated peeled apple

combine first 8 in large bowl, stir well to blend

Beat eggs, vanilla, zucchini and apple in med bowl. Add to dry ingredients, stir until moistened. Spoon batter into greased or lined muffin pans and bake in 350 27-30 min or until top springs back. Makes 24 large or 12 jumbo. Enjoy! These are often part of my breakfast.

[SAHNE]

Thanks!  I'll give it a try

[Cassie]

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!  Palmer is almost 9 mos and I have been M/S proten free since he was about 2 months.  I am also counting the days until he is weaned which is sad as this is my last baby.  But really I can't wait to eat whatever I want!  I am also having supply issues.. have been for months.  I have tried everything and can't increase it.  I have only 2 bottle of EBM in the freezer as I can't pump more than 2 oz at a time.  I tried Palmer on Alimentum last month.  He refused to drink it and I can't blame him.  It is nasty.  Nutramigen is a bit better I think.  I have decided to just start giving him some rice milk at 10 month.

This is just my opinion, but I would hold off on solids until your lo is 6 months.  I have found that Palmer is much more sensitive to foods than my first son.  He can now tolerate some cereals, but only if I mix them with pear or prune juice.  He doesn't do well with peas. 

Palmer's reacts about 24 hours after I eat the offending food.  He is very crabby (very unlike him as he is usually the happiest baby ever!) and doesn't sleep well.

Hang in there!!!  You can do it!

[SAHNE]

Thanks for the words of encouragement Cassie... so far we're still moving forward!  I tried the alimentum and Carter would take it - but didn't enjoy it as much as bm (wonder why!?!) - I feel better knowing we could use it here or there if needed - but do plan to press on with nursing.  His eczema also seemed to flare just a bit - which makes me think if he is on it full-time things may get progressively worse as the skin is using the first to react for him.  I am planning to try solids on this weekend - starting with veggies.  He is soooo very interested in food that I don't want to hold off any longer.  We'll see how it goes.  I've been using fenugreek for milk supply and this has been helping... that and pumping once at the end of the day (since ds sleep 11 hours).  Thanks again for everyone and their encouragement.  Cassie- you'll have to let us know how Rice Milk goes... has anyone tried goat's milk?? Is that too closely related to cow's milk?

Thanks!!
Steph