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Experience with baby allergies?

(28 Posts)
pigsmayfly. Tue 23-Aug-22 20:22:58

My 3.5 month old grandson is breasted and has been struggling with his digestion. He has had green, frothy nappies from the time he had his first vaccines, more latterly yellowish but very full of mucus. My daughter cut out dairy products from her diet but is told by doctors etc that he must be allergic to cows milk even though she hasn’t eaten dairy in weeks. His weight gain is slow these days and he gets tired easily. Grabs, gave any if you any matching experience that may help? I’m quite concerned.

M0nica Tue 23-Aug-22 20:36:36

This to me does not sound like an allergy. With all the other things you say about your grandson, i would be encouraging your daughter to ask for a referral to a paediatrician for more extensive tests. If nothing else, proper allergy tests should take place.

For a doctor to just say he must be allergic to milk without doing any tests to show whether it is true or not, is very poor medical practice.

vampirequeen Tue 23-Aug-22 20:40:06

I agree. The baby needs to see a specialist. I don't see how a milk allergy can be diagnosed without tests. Further tests need to be done.

midgey Tue 23-Aug-22 20:47:20

Perhaps your daughter needs to cut out gluten too, or eggs? So many variables? It might not be an allergy just an intolerance which is just as horrid for the the poor child while not life threatening.

Lathyrus Tue 23-Aug-22 20:53:59

I think you should see a paediatrician rather than going down the route of trying to self diagnose allergies. Particularly since his weight gain and energy levels are affected.

I really do think you should press for this.

Nannarose Tue 23-Aug-22 21:22:43

Back to the GP, with a sample nappy, weight chart, and dates that food was excluded from mum's diet.
If Health Visitor is involved, ask them to speak to GP.
I know what this sounds like, but can't possibly diagnose 3rd hand on a public forum!

Farmor15 Tue 23-Aug-22 21:28:36

My daughter has some kind of dairy intolerance and avoided dairy when pregnant and breastfeeding. However, if she inadvertently eats something with dairy in it, she feels it affects her baby- makes him uncomfortable and throw up a bit. But he gained weight fast and I don’t think he ever had nappies like you describe pigsmayfly.

As others have said, I think the baby needs to be seen by a specialist. I’m a bit dubious that mother’s diet could affect the baby so much.

Hithere Tue 23-Aug-22 21:56:44

The doctor does not inspire much confidence diagnosing an allergy w/o tests - even if it is in fact an allergy

My youngest had a blood test to diagnose possible allergies and there was an immediate improvement when I avoided those items

Allergies come also from combination of items, not from individual factors.

Pediatrician asap - obviousky

pigsmayfly. Tue 23-Aug-22 22:42:22

I should have said he’s seen a paediatrician who wouldn’t do allergy tests under 6 months, looked at nappy and said looks like cows milk allergy. Was hoping a gran may have met this kind of problem with perhaps an alternative outcome to consider.

Hithere Tue 23-Aug-22 22:57:58

Giving up dairy may not be enough- lots of products have hidden dairy in their composition

Callistemon21 Tue 23-Aug-22 23:15:28

I have been told that gluten does not pass through into breast milk but I'm not at all convinced about that.
My baby didn't seem tired (quite the opposite in fact) but colic was a problem with bad nappy rash. If only I'd known then.

I would persist in trying to get a diagnosis asap.

LOUISA1523 Tue 23-Aug-22 23:24:45

Farmor15

My daughter has some kind of dairy intolerance and avoided dairy when pregnant and breastfeeding. However, if she inadvertently eats something with dairy in it, she feels it affects her baby- makes him uncomfortable and throw up a bit. But he gained weight fast and I don’t think he ever had nappies like you describe pigsmayfly.

As others have said, I think the baby needs to be seen by a specialist. I’m a bit dubious that mother’s diet could affect the baby so much.

A mothers diet can massively affect a babys health if the baby has CMPA ( cows milk protein allergy) ...the advice will be to cut all dairy from diet and take a calcium supplement if they wish to continue to breast feed

grannysyb Wed 24-Aug-22 09:21:35

My stepdaughters baby was diagnosed, after much toing and frying with an allergy to her mothers milk!

NotSpaghetti Wed 24-Aug-22 09:30:41

Are you aware of this research?
It was a joint study by researchers at Imperial and Bristol.
I don't think it's had the coverage it deserves.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.imperial.ac.uk/news/196813/milk-allergy-guidelines-cause-overdiagnosis-babies/amp/

It seems this is not so likely as your FP thinks.
Please show the mum and suggest she insists on a proper diagnosis.

NotSpaghetti Wed 24-Aug-22 09:31:12

Not FP, GP. Sorry

Callistemon21 Wed 24-Aug-22 09:33:58

grannysyb

My stepdaughters baby was diagnosed, after much toing and frying with an allergy to her mothers milk!

Of course, there was no such thing 45 or so years ago!
My DC was much better after changing to formula.

Some babies need to be fed soya milk but please do urge your DD to seek further advice.

NotSpaghetti Wed 24-Aug-22 09:39:59

This is from Bristol:
Guidelines may promote over-diagnosis of cow’s milk allergy in infants
www.bristol.ac.uk/primaryhealthcare/news/2021/guidelines-may-promote-over-diagnosis-of-cows-milk-allergy-in-infants.html#:~:text=International%20guidelines%20developed%20to%20help,Allergy%20today%20%5B8%20December%5D.

pigsmayfly. Wed 24-Aug-22 19:53:37

NotSpaghetti Thank you for this interesting research which I have now read. There is nothing like ask a gran for experience and common sense. I will she this to my daughter. Thank you

NotSpaghetti Wed 24-Aug-22 21:29:00

pigsmayfly I think it's definitely worth her asking for a proper test to find out for sure.
I did also read an article about how the various baby milk companies were cashing in on this too. But we shouldn't really blame the GPs for just following guidelines- after all, they can't be expected to be experts in everything.

I also recently heard something on the radio about this - maybe it was the BBC "Inside Science" programme. If uou google it you may find it.
Obviously every mum wants the very best for their baby and most would do anything to keep them safe.

NotSpaghetti Wed 24-Aug-22 21:30:25

I've found it:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0019jyy?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

NotSpaghetti Wed 24-Aug-22 21:39:13

Obviously not gaining so much weight is a worry. I don't want to imply I know more than the medics pigsmayfly, I'm just reporting what I came across.

Whatever the cause, it's tough for your daughter (and all who love her).
I hope it's resolved soon.

Thinking of you.
flowers

Hithere Wed 24-Aug-22 22:04:39

Not gaining much weight also depends on percentiles

ElaineI Wed 24-Aug-22 22:11:16

DD1 had this and colic. I came off all dairy including anything with butter and milk. She was prescribed soya baby milk which she had when not BFing. She suddenly got better at 4 months and has had no problems with dairy since. Now 37. It was horrendous at the time and sore bottom too.

ElaineI Wed 24-Aug-22 22:18:20

Once the dairy has provoked the allergy, coming off dairy will only help a bit as the reaction has happened. So until the baby matures enough to digest it and it settles the nappies will remain green and frothy. Providing he is gaining weight (DD1 was also slow but steady) then he should be fine but yes go for a paediatrician appt as this was 37 years ago. DS and DD2 didn't have this but I had stayed off dairy.

pigsmayfly. Thu 25-Aug-22 13:21:41

Thanks to all wise contributing Grans. All very helpful.