Severe formula allergies and delaying solids?

Jamie - posted on 02/06/2009

My son too had difficulty with formula and solids. Doctors were no help. Justin had a lot of issues, born with craniosynostosis (bones in skull fuse prematurely), reflux problems and very fussy with tummy issues. I put him on Nutramigen and reflux meds and only little improvement.  Everytime I started solids he would just become fussy. He did not do well on baby food but started eating table food at around 10-11 months. I suspected a milk allergy from the start. I later comfirmed he is allergic to milk and eggs a year and half later. I kept him on the Nutramigen for almost 15 months since I couldn't give him milk or soy milk. I wish I knew about the Nutramigen AA, he probably would have done better. Now he is on Rice Milk. Good luck! I know it is frustrating.

Becky - posted on 02/04/2009

No, the gastro doctor said he felt if it was something physical he would have immediately requested the diagnostic testing. It's actually easier I think to delay foods. We did start her on cereal because she tolerated the plain Nutramigen for a few days. She really didn't know what to do with it so I am not sure she was ready. She ate the food once, opened her mouth and everything, but I think she knows it makes her sick and started refusing it. It takes so long and it's so messy I don't miss giving her solids. I just want what is best for her.

Trisha - posted on 02/02/2009

I second the allergist post! And delay, delay, delay solids. It's not going to hurt her. Also, she could have extreme food intolerance. My youngest had all the symptoms your daughter had. Has she had an endoscopy done?

Patty - posted on 02/02/2009

It is very possible it is just an intolerance and she will be able to eat all foods, but how can they know that without testing for it? Good luck. I really hope she isn't allergic to anything and this will all be behind you shortly. I would love to hear how things to turn out.

Good luck.

Patty

Becky - posted on 02/02/2009

Thanks for all the posts. I will get her an appointment as soon as possible with the allergist and see if we can't find out what is causing this. I have been told that what she is experiencing isn't really an allergy, but they call it that for lack of a better word. It's not allergies like we know it, but rather just being very uncomfortable kind of like IBS, so I am hoping we won't experience many allergies to food, but I am not holding my breath either.

Patty - posted on 02/01/2009

Neither my husband or I have food allergies. Our first child also has no food allergies. However, our youngest is allergic to milk, soy, peanut, pea and pork. There has been a large increase in food allergies recently. I was shocked when he first reacted. He is miserable for the first 6 months of life, but I thought he was just a fussy baby. It wasn't until we were introducing foods at 6 months that he had a major reaction that involved a trip to the ER. As awful as that was, that got us an appointment with an allergist right away.
It can't hurt to do the allergy tests. They simply prick the baby in the back with the allergens. It doesn't really hurt them. The nurse even did it to me arm first so I could see what it feels like. Within 20 minutes you will have some answers. If she tests positive for anything they will draw blood and run more extensive tests.
I was happy to have clear cut answers instead of guessing and trial and error with different foods.
I hope this helps.
Patty

Becky - posted on 02/01/2009

We haven't been to an allergist just the gastrointernologist. He nor my pediatrician mentioned an allergist, but I know I have at least 2 months back on the Nutramigen AA to allow all the intestines to heal and then we can tried solids if we can get her back on regular Nutramigen. He also wants us to keep working toward regular Enfamil preferrable before she is mobile incase she sticks something in her mouth. I am second guessing now that we should see an allergist since it looks like she will be much older when she starts solids? I don't know. I didn't get food allergies until I was much older, high school I think. My husband didn't get them until college, so this is all too new. Even our parents aren't any help. I have a laxtex protein allergy: cucumbers, avacados and some citrus fruits. I eat all in moderation and only get an itchy lip or sometimes a throat if I over did it. My husband smells shell fish, even fish and gets light headed. He carries an epi-pen. No milk allergies, that I know of, so I don't understand where she gets this.

Patty - posted on 01/31/2009

Did you have any allergy testing done? My son has multiple food allergies and we count on his allergist to guide us through what he can have. He is now 11 months. Although, there is a lot he can't have, there is a lot he can have now that we know what to avoid. Good luck.