Looking for advice from mommies who had to cut out dairy...

[caitlyn2009]

My son has been sick with reoccur ant respiratory issues since he was 6 weeks old. We have tried all kinds of things to help him and he is still constantly battling coughing, wheezing and congestion. He is being tested for Cystic Fibrosis, but his Dr. also wants him (and me of course) off ALL dairy products because she thinks that a milk allergy could be the culprit.

I am really struggling to determine what I can and cannot eat. The obvious stuff is easy, but isn't most things baked with milk?? Please give me some ideas of what I can and cannot have and any tips on making it as easy as possible.

My whole breastfeeding journey has been a nightmare and I am extremely proud to have made it this far, but this seems like a huge ordeal and I find myself wondering if it is time to bring it to an end, even though I know that isn't what I want. I guess I am just looking for some support from someone who has been through this major diet change.

Thanks in Advance

 

[Kazy]

Hi there. I have been off dairy for two weeks now and I like you thought it would be horrible. But its not as bad as I thought. And now see I g how my lo is doing better it makes it totally.worth it.
I miss cheese the most! But there are other things and just last night I tried a fairy free pancake recipe that was pretty good.
Anyway, kelly mom has great info for what you can and can't eat. Some tricky things are lunch meats often have casein which is dairy. There are natural ones that don't have it, but that's the I gredirnt to look for. There's a brand called "enjoy life" and everything is dairy free. Its pricey but they have some really good chocolate cookies if you have a sweet tooth like me.

Here's what I had today:
Breakfast: apple cinnamon oatmeal and toast with dairy free butter
Lunch: turkey sandwich (some bread has dairy and some doesn't. You just have to loom for it) and kettle potato Chips, cucumbers
Dinner: chili

I am new to this too but with a little planning its doable. I have also cut out eggs And I'm finding that manageable as well. I do really miss my ice cream!

 

[MrsMandy]

Hi kazy -glad to hear you LO is doing better, do you mind if I pick your brains a little ? I'm thinking of trying to cut out dairy as my LB has been increasingly distressed after his feeds in the midmorning (after I've had cereal and a milky coffee!) and yet is fine after evening and night feeds (when I've not had dairy for hours!),and it's not wind as he brings this up beautifully during and after his feeds and is still crying in a pained and distressed way. Anyway I was wondering if lactose free milk and cheese would still be ok?

Caitlyn, sorry for hijacking your thread. Hope your LO starts to get better soon xx

 

[stephj25]

My baby boy is 4 months old and I have been off of dairy since he was 6 weeks (keep introducing every now and again to see if any change).
My doc also suspects a dairy allergy.
I have rice milk as a substitute for cows milk and I get dairy-free stuff from our local supermarket in the UK but they offer a free-from range so it's quite easy to come by.

The thing I'm struggling most with is cooking as I like chicken in creamy based sauces. I now focus on making tomato or sweet sauces like bolognese or sweet and sour.

The thing I am most concerned about is how I'm going to get by when he does weaning in a couple of months

 

[caitlyn2009]

Thanks ladies for your replies! I went to the store last night and bought me a bunch of dairy free things that are quick to grab and eat. That makes me feel better because I am all about convenience

I have a couple more questions... What symptoms did your LOs have of dairy allergy. My LB is fussy at night occasionally and has recurrent respiratory issues, but no issues with bloody stool.

Is dairy like alcohol in the sense that is I want some i eat it, but wait a few hours before feeding LO?

 

[masonsmom]

One of our writers, Amy Wruble, just wrote about having to cut out dairy due to her breastfeeding baby's cow's milk allergy. She has lots of great advice!!

You can find her post in our Health channel (Unfortunately I'm unable to post a link due to our spam filter)

Best wishes to you!

 

[Kazy]

Mrsmandy I don't mind at all. It would be great to exchange ideas as I am only 2 weeks in and by no means an expert! My lo was extremely fussy all day. It was not related to gas. She also has stiffy nose all night every night. Dairy was a guess and happened to help. She thankfully was gaining OK and only other symptoms was slightly green and mucousy poo. Which we thought as if Monday was due to a bug but it came back yesterday after I ate eggs in my dairy free pancakes. I thought a small amount was fine but she was misable all day.

I think for some it can be like alcohol but not for most. It takes longer than most allergies to leave your system and babies. My Dr said most babies if they don't have severe intolerance can tolerate some. So he suggested adding a little in a couple of weeks and seeing how she does. So at first complete elimination is suggested and then after 4-6 weeks start adding and see if you want.

Lactose free- most lactose free is NOT OK as it actually has dairy. The intolerance is to the milk protein and not actually the lactose. This is my understanding.

I haven't experimented much with substitues. I had a soy latte the other day at it seemed OK. But I've heard that 50% who have dairy intolerance also have soy. Grrrr and soy milk is really not good for women but I figured short term is OK? If anyone experiments and finds something they like I'd like to hear.

 

[Kazy]

Steph- I too like creamy.sauces. and I have like two weeks of meals frozen that I prepared before baby was born most of which I can't eat now.

Caitlyn- try white noise in the evening. I out an app on my phone and turn it up all the way next to lo and sometimes it calms her down.

I also started lo on probiotics about a week ago. Since most dairy intolerance is due to immature digestive tract I figure it cant hurt.

 

[Kazy]

One of our writers, Amy Wruble, just wrote about having to cut out dairy due to her breastfeeding baby's cow's milk allergy. She has lots of great advice!!

You can find her post in our Health channel (Unfortunately I'm unable to post a link due to our spam filter)

Best wishes to you!

y

How do we find it?

 

[stephj25]

Thanks ladies for your replies! I went to the store last night and bought me a bunch of dairy free things that are quick to grab and eat. That makes me feel better because I am all about convenience

I have a couple more questions... What symptoms did your LOs have of dairy allergy. My LB is fussy at night occasionally and has recurrent respiratory issues, but no issues with bloody stool.

Is dairy like alcohol in the sense that is I want some i eat it, but wait a few hours before feeding LO?

Austin had severe reflux, painful wind, eczema, cradle cap, constipation (went 14 days no poo), weeping left eye, crying all the time, not sleeping for more than 20 mins, green poo.... I think that's everything

 

[Swtpinkbabi]

Most people that I have encountered have found their babies severe reflux and painful wind to be caused by lip/tongue ties. Green poo is caused by baby getting too much fore milk and not enough hindmilk. I would suggest seeing a certified lactation consultant who can check for ties, or see an ENT or pediatric dentist.
Hope your baby gets better soon, Good Luck!

 

[stephj25]

Most people that I have encountered have found their babies severe reflux and painful wind to be caused by lip/tongue ties. Green poo is caused by baby getting too much fore milk and not enough hindmilk. I would suggest seeing a certified lactation consultant who can check for ties, or see an ENT or pediatric dentist.
Hope your baby gets better soon, Good Luck!

My baby hasn't got lip or tongue tie and green poo can also be caused by a food allergy- not just too much fore milk. Just to make that clear to the OP x

 

[kanga]

My was was Chesty for the first year. Constantly there was something and he couldn't shift the secretions. He has been on prophylactic does of antibiotics since 1 and has done very well. It gave him the break he needed to get stronger. Wish they had done it sooner. x

 

[SurpriseBub]

Hi mommies/mummies

As of yesterday I am dairy free... And trying to avoid soy and eggs, too. I was fine with making the change for my baby's sake, but then last night realised just how much I can't have! So, my question is: what DO you eat?! All meal and snack ideas would be VERY welcome!

 

[confused87com]

I was dairy free for 2 years whilst feeding my daughter. Is very do able once you figure what you can eat. I use coconut milk as a substitute as I find it better for cooking with as well. I use vitalite marg or pure. When cooking I just replace with these. So I bake and cook I use those instead. I can make batter mixes and all sorts. Cakes come out well. I had to cut out soya to. And eggs to begin with. But we now have eggs just no dairy or soya. The whole family eat my dairy free meals. Is just pre processed things you have to watch. Like frozen foods