Guilt

I guess I just need to get this out... my son was recently diagnosed with a severe milk protein allergy and now needs to see a GI. He is in constant pain, spits up, and now has atarted with bloody and mucousy stool. He is on the alimentum but it's not helping at all, in fact he's getting worse as the bloody stool just started. I feel so guilty for not being able to breastfeed my twins. Neither latched well, and I fell off the wayside with pumping, I've tried keeping up but it's not happening taking care of 2 newborns. I feel as if he was getting breast milk this wouldn't be happening to him, that me not being able to give him what he needs is my fault and now he's suffering

Re: Guilt

Me and my sibs were bottle-fed, and both of my DC were primarily bottle fed, and we eat more dairy than almost anyone I know....

There isn't a direct correlation between breast feeding and lactose intolerance. Humans in general aren't really built to consume cow's milk.

Guilt

This is NOT true. My daughter was entirely breastfed and had a milk protein allergy as well as allergies to soy, eggs and beef. Her diagnosis was allergic proctocolitis- we saw an amazing allergist who explained everything and by 16 months old she outgrew ALL of her allergies. Food allergies in very young children are often a result of theGI tract being immature (which is normal) and often times they resolve by the second year of life. You are doing the best job you can and as long as your children are well fed the method is not important--please give yourself a huge pat on the back for caring for TWO newborns.

Message edited 2/14/2017 1:22:41 PM.

Re: Guilt

No way!! He probably would've had the allergy anyway! Don't beat yourself up about it- breastfeeding one kid is hard, I don't think I would've even tried with twins. You're doing great!

Re: Guilt

Absolutely not! I ebf BOTH my kids and they BOTH have food allergies, the youngest to milk protein among other things. I was breastfed and *I* have food allergies. Absolutely NOTHING to feel guilty about! You have twins and you are feeding them and loving them and that's ALL that matters.

Re: Guilt

Not true. Good friend of mine exclusively breastfeed and her son had a terrible milk allergy.

Re: Guilt

One has nothing to do with the other.
A lactose intolerance or milk protein allergy is not related to breastfeeding vs formula feeding in any way

Re: Guilt

That is not true at all. I know many newborns who were bf and had milk allergies. The moms had to complete,y cut out dairy from their diets.

Don't beat yourself up. A fed baby is most important. As long as your kids are happy and healthy that's all you need. And this is coming from a mom of two. First one was on formula by 3 months and second one just got off breastmilk at 19 months. They're both happy and healthy.

Re: Guilt

YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE BECAUSE YOU DIDNT BREAST FEED YOUR KIDS.

There is a lot of stimga around it but sometimes formula is best for the baby and best for you because you can be a human and get sleep and get them on a schedule. You can leave them with someone else for a little bit of time because you dont need to be there to feed them.

DO NOT FEEL GUILTY!!

If the formula is helping your son that is what he needs and that is OK.

With my daughter breast feeding just didn't work and once i realized that and stopped being worried about it we both so much happier and she had reflux issues and weight gain issues and once on formula happy baby.

Guilt

Do NOT feel guilty at ALL. As everyone else said, one has nothing to do with her other- your DS would have the allergy regardless of how he is fed.

Babies are on formula for a year. After that year, no one asks how your baby was fed. No one cares. Not even you. Your kid will be exactly the same as his breastfed counterparts. And his formula fed counterparts. It is completely inconsequential long term.

Also, the bloody stool just starting doesn't mean it's getting worse. I don't know how long he's been on the alimentum but it can take several weeks for the gut to heal. Fissures are also common in some babies with milk protein allergies because they often strain to poop- my DD has had these a few times.

Hang in there, you're doing great!

Re: Guilt

Agree with everyone else - you deserve TONS of credit for taking care of two newborns at the same time.

Also wanted to add - I breastfeed my second but not my first. Not for a lack of trying - it just didn't work out. So I am convinced, it's not me/you - it was much more based on the individual baby.

Guilt

same happened with me... I stopped breastfeeding on day 4 and went to similac, then DD was miserable for like 7 weeks while we switched to sensitive, back to regular, back to sensitive, then finally went to the GI and got alimentum. It got worse with the alimentum before it got better, though! It took about a week or so for her to adjust, but she's been on alimentum ever since and has been doing great. Stick it out, and it should get better. If it doesn't, ask for neocate