My son has a severe allergy to milk

Trisha - posted on 01/10/2009

Have your gp check your iron levels too if you are feeling rundown.  You'll have to let me know what you think about the yogurt.  I'm making another batch tomorrow.  I love the looks people give me when I say I made the yogurt--it's great.

The papaya is a wonderful fruit for little people with allergies.  Landon was first given it at about a year in his daily smoothie.  Look for one's that are yellow.

So I always get the impression that we do things a tiny bit different in America than you mums in the UK.  Is that true?  What do you think you do differently?  

Sarah - posted on 01/10/2009

Yeh we can get unsweetend so will give that a go, probably better for him anyway. I have to admit i did smile at the supplement comment but its a good idea, will speak to my gp about calcium tablets as it will make me feel better, at least i know he will be getting some then. We will try the papaya idea this weekend as it will be good for him to get used to it slowly rather than forceing it on him. Thanks for the yogurt receipe, I cant wait to say its home made, that will be a first for me lol.

Trisha - posted on 01/10/2009

If you can't get prenatals are you taking a multi-vitamin or you could just try a calcium supplement.  Or is this where you tell me something about American's worrying to much about supplements?  Please not the smile and teasing tone to the last comment.

Can you find unsweetened soymilk?  My four year old won't drink the vanilla soymilk but loves the unsweetened soy.  You could also try blending in some fresh papaya with the soymilk.  It's supposed to taste very similar to breast milk.

As for the yogurt.  It's so easy, it's a little embarrassing.  It takes no cooking skills but the ability to turn on a crockpot(slow cooker) and then turn it off again.  I swear!

Check out the recipe at this blog.  It's like the fourth recipe from the top.

Trisha

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/search?q...

Sarah - posted on 01/10/2009

We dont get prenatals over here only before baby is born, I am in manchester uk. He has tried soya milk in his cup but is still deciding if he likes it at the moment as its quite sweet for him as he is used to breast milk and water. I have soya formula which he has had on cereal but not in his cup as yet. I would love to try the lactose free cheese but am struggling to find it, I have looked it up on the web and they say it will be in local supermarkets soon so fingers crossed for that one. I would not know where to start in making my own yogurt, i am not really a whizz in the kitchen lol.

Trisha - posted on 01/10/2009

No worries for him, he'll just suck it out of your bones and teeth.  Are you still taking your prenatals?  It's awesome he can do soy.  Have you tried soy?  You could always do both.  Breastfeed a couple times a day and give him a cup of soymilk.  I'm sure you know that the nutrients in your breastmilk are more easily absorbed into his system.  So a tiny amount of calcium in your breastmilk will go a lot farther than a lot of calcium in a glass of soymilk.

Have you tried lactose free cheese?  Or making your own yogurt?  It's so easy and you can guarantee that it's lactose free that way.

Trisha

Sarah - posted on 01/10/2009

He has been tested for soya and it came back clear, he is eating soya yogurts and dairy free chocolate occasionally. I would love to continue breastfeeding until he is two but am concerned about levels of calcium again as i am lactose intolerant so i dont drink milk and dont really eat much with high levels of calcium so not sure if it would be best for him.

Trisha - posted on 01/10/2009

I would recommend enriched rice milk instead of soy simply because soy is such a high allergen risk.  Enriched rice milk has as much calcium in it as cow milk so no worries there.  Don't feel pressure to quit breastfeeding if you and he are happy doing it.  Because of Landon's food allergies we kept breastfeeding twice a day until well after his second birthday.  But if you are finished, you have given him a great gift in the 14 months you have nursed him.  So either way, you deserve a "good job mom"!

As for extra calcium there are plenty of non-dairy sources.  Broccoli, spinach, amaranth grains.

Check out my blog for some recipe ideas that are especially for kids with food allergies.

Every recipe includes none of the high allergen foods!  Including milk and eggs and are packed with nutrition.

http://funkyfoodallergies.blogspot.com/

Sarah - posted on 01/10/2009

Thanks for the replies. Yes I am still breastfeeding but am hoping to wean him onto soya milk from a cup over the next couple of weeks as he is great with a cup and refuses a bottle. I just worry that he is not getting any calcium in his diet and am sure thats not good. Maybe i should leave the egg and fish until he can speak to me and tell me if it makes him feel poorly.

Cindy - posted on 01/09/2009

Yes I understand your pain my daughter is 2 1/2 and allergic to milk, egg and peanut. She has anaphylaxed twice, the first time with egg, and the second when grandma gave her a baby dessert that has whey in it. Currently we are doing great, knowing what your baby is allergic to is the key. Then avoidance, carry benedryl, and your epi-pen everywhere. As for what to eat she eats anything and everything fruits veggies, it's not always convienient but she eats great. Whole foods, thing you make from scratch. I was quite compulsive about what i gave for fear she'd have a reaction. So I still and continue to read all labels because a company can change an ingredient at any time. Good Luck

Trisha - posted on 01/09/2009

Most allergist's would tell you to avoid the high allergen foods. As long as he is growing good and getting the nutrients he needs from other places then I wouldn't worry about giving him strawberries and baby's first shrimp cocktail.

Keep it basic, organic and seasonal.  By eating seasonally you will give his body a break from a food.  Are you breastfeeding?