bf-ing a lo with milk protein allergy

ds was just diagnosed with a milk protein allergy (he is 3 months old). i just returned to work so he gets 2 formula bottles a day and i bf him 3 times a day. I ran out and already switched his formula to nutramigin (from gentlease). but i have 2 questions in regards to bf-ing....

#1 - now that i know he has this allergy, should i throw out my freezer stash since I dont know if i ate dairy before pumping?

#2 - how strict are you in terms of cutting out dairy? i of course will not have a cup of milk, bowl of ice cream, yogurt, cheese etc. but this morning i realize i put a splash of milk in my coffee and butter on a bagel. also DH cooks a lot with butter (a tablespoon or two in a side dish for example). is it ok for me to continue to BF after having those small amounts of dairy? or does it need to be 100% cut out?? i dont want ds to suffer but i also know itll be hard for me to cut it out completely if a little butter or milk will upset his tummy id rather just give him formula

eta - we had him tested at 2 months and it came up negative. at that time he was basically ebf which is why my hope is that the formula change is enough for him. we had him re-tested now bc he squirms alot (arches his back and kicks his legs)...2 of the 3 tests came back positive. my hope is that it is not THAT bad of an allergy if that makes sense? thankfully hes not crying in discomfort or anything

Message edited 8/27/2014 11:46:13 AM.

Re: bf-ing a lo with milk protein allergy

If your LO truly has a milk protein allergy, you have to cut out ALL dairy, even trace dairy. Whey, casein, etc. A small amount will effect your LO. I'm surprised your doctor didn't tell you all this. Butter, milk, cream etc are the worst. A small amount to you will have a big effect on a baby. And it takes a few weeks for it to completely leave your system.

I wouldn't throw out your freezer stash just yet, he may outgrow it at some point.

Re: bf-ing a lo with milk protein allergy

bf-ing a lo with milk protein allergy

It depends on the level of sensitivity he has, but if he's fairly sensitive then you'd have to cut out all dairy as it can stay in your system for days. Its not like in 4 hours it wont be there anymore if you BF/pump.

I also would not throw out your freezer stash, but if you can't use it, definitely look into donating it so it goes to good use!!

Re: bf-ing a lo with milk protein allergy

I had to cut all diary and throw out my stash.

IMO, you should cut it all, see how he does, and then slowly add in the discreet sources of diary & see if he reacts.

bf-ing a lo with milk protein allergy

Yes, you have to cut out ALL dairy.
I ended up just keeping my dd on nutramigen exclusively. She grew out of her allergy by the time she was a year old.

bf-ing a lo with milk protein allergy

Dairy is one of the allergens that even a small amount can cause a reaction. I had to cut out all cow products including beef. My dd's allergist said to get rid of all frozen breast milk because the protein is still in your body even if you did not eat dairy on a particular day.

ETA: if you decide to get rid of your stash you can donate the milk.

Message edited 8/27/2014 3:47:44 PM.

bf-ing a lo with milk protein allergy

My dd was very sensitive to it. Never had an allergy just an intolerance. I gave up bf because i found it too hard to completelt cut dairy out of my diet. If i had a granola bar with milk choc chips in it she had a bad day or night thats how sensitive she was.

If yout baby is that sensitive you have to cut everything out like pp stated.Even the trace dairy.
My dd never outgrew it when it comes to drinking milk. Shes 2 and she drinks almond milk.she can gave yogurt cheese and small amount of ice cream. Too much dairy in 1day especially too much ice cream she gets diarrhea...

I have ither friends who outgrew it at 1 and transitioned fine to reg milk.

Good luck.

Re: bf-ing a lo with milk protein allergy

I had to cut out all dairy (obvious and hidden even tiny amts). it wasn't that hard honestly once I got used to it but BOY did I miss it for 13 months. The worse part is eating out, nearly impossible. At home I could find acceptable subsitutes for everything but cheese. I kept my freezer stash initially as I had banked 12 weeks worth of milk and was heartbroken. Sadly its only good for 6 months or so in the freezer so it all got thrown away as he still hasn't outgrown his intolerance at 2yo He doens't have an allergic rxn but an intolerance so if he eats anything with dairy (and at the time if I ate anything with dairy) he got excema and diarrhea (+/- mucous and blood as an infant). He was diagnosed persumptively at 11 weeks and I didn't want to believe it at first but after eating a piece of cheese and seeing all his symptoms return w/in 2 days I knew it was true.

bf-ing a lo with milk protein allergy

Donate your stash and cut out ALL dairy