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Breast Milk Allergy?

Thistle

Veteran

Has anyone here ever heard of a baby having an allergy to breast milk versus something mom was eating that got into the milk?

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24 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Kimberley

Veteran

Hi Thistle,

While I am no an expert on the topic, I have breast fed four babies and have never heard of a baby being allergic to breast milk...in fact, I thought the opposite was true! Do you have access to a lactation consultant who might be able to advise on the possibility?

Tina

Veteran

I haven't but would it work to give DD2 formula for a week while you continue to pump? If there is any difference at all then keep going.

Sara L.

Veteran

Yes! I have a close friend who couldn't breastfeed either of her babies because they were allergic to breastmilk, not something she ate. Her husband was the same when he was a baby. She switched to formula and all the symptoms cleared up. Don't feel guilty if breastfeeding isn't working for you. Do whatever is best for you and your baby.

Anonymous

Seriously? I've never heard of that, but I guess anything's possible, and I know how desperate you are. I breastfed 4 babies, and they all thrived beautifully. Only the firstborn had eczema, and she outgrew it; I didn't breastfeed her as long as I did the other 3. Still, I wouldn't rule it out. The only way to know is to try formula. Bless your heart!

Thistle

Veteran

I am going to take your idea and see if I can find a lactation consultant. I met with one when we were in the hospital but haven't seen her since. I am worried about going to formula and pumping based on my experiences with DD1. I simply don't pump enough, or as often, or its not as efficient as a baby or something and my supply starts to drop. I had a horrible time getting it back, and never really did all the way.

Her pediatrician now thinks this might be the issue, but we'd have to give her elementium formula. And I would really miss nursing her I know its not about me, but there is a lot of lovely bonding as you nurse a baby. I even go nurse her on my lunch hour to get my baby fix and get me through the afternoon without her.

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

I don't want to come off as one of "those people" but have you seen this article? It's hard to get enough omega-3s for one, much less two. DHA supplements aren't all fish derived now. Before you give up on the nursing, it might be worth looking into. I'm so sorry you are having to fight so hard on this.

Debbie

Veteran

I have heard of it Thistle. I would definitely see a lactation consultant. From what I read it is rare but it does happen. You need to do what is best for DD. I had the same problem you do with the pumping. I never could pump enough.
Please keep us posted and I will keep you in my thoughts.

Sal

Veteran

I think a Lactation Consultant is a great idea...she will have seen and experienced a lot. Good luck..I know feeding/allergy issues can be so hard.

Adelfa

Veteran

I am biased because DD didn't have eczema until someone fed her formula when my back was turned.

But. I do know that allergy issues can be exceedingly hard to get good advice on. Is there a child allergist somewhere around? Or a regular allergist? In my experience, primary care doctors know enough to treat a normal person with a few allergies, but not enough to treat someone more seriously affected.

Wishing you all the best, believe me, I know it's rough.

catherine

Veteran

Thistle, I am a board-certified lactation consultant. I would agree that using formula may be risky in your situation. It is extremely, extremely rare for a baby to have any type of reaction to mom's own milk. As Adelfa mentioned, most pediatricians or family practice docs have no idea how to answer your questions. You need practical and evidence-based advice. Here's a link for finding a qualified professional. http://iblce.org/resources/iblce-registry/
all the best,
Catherine

rachylou

Veteran

Ohmigosh that's great. We have a certified lactation consultant in the board in Catherine!

I want just going to say I *have* heard of the allergy but that's all (and 'allergy' may not technically be the mechanism if you will; I don't know). Best advice already given.

Jules

Veteran

There is a serious, rare genetic disease called galactosemia where babies cannot drink breast milk at all. But the symptoms are severe and show up within a few days of birth. I only mention it in response to rachylou's comment as it clearly does not apply to Thistle but might be causing vague memory associations.

jackiec

Veteran

Oh Thistle, how stressful this is for you. I hope you can see a lactation consultant, and even a naturopath (or have you already?), to help you out. You are such a good mom to be working so incredibly hard to sort this out. This is a stressful time even without allergies and other sensitivities.

Daria

Oh Thistle, this must be so stressful.. I never commented on your original post, because my kids never had eczema as babies. However I think it's theoretically possible to be allergic to milk protein and/or lactose in mother's milk - but it must be extremely rare because I never heard of it in real life. Most babies who cannot tolerate milk-based formula, can tolerate breast milk just fine.
How old is your baby? Hoping for some relief for her with the warm weather ahead.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Thistle, I have heard of babies being allergic to breastmilk, and I also understand that it is very, very rare. I'd talk to several doctors and several lactation consultants, if I were you.

One thing: please don't listen to anything Dr. Sears says. He is a quack. Also, don't pay attention to random articles on the internet. I'm all for mothers breastfeeding their babies if they want to, and it does indeed seem like human milk (from a well-nourished mother) would be better for a baby than a substitute, but I also know that bonding takes place whether the milk comes from a breast or a bottle.

Also, regarding eczema: there has been a huge increase in allergies of all kinds in the past 20 years that does not appear to be related to the use of formula, since many more babies were formula-fed when I was an infant 40 years ago. So maybe formula triggers eczema and maybe it doesn't, but apparently it's not the main culprit.

I hope you figure it out! Do you mind me asking what makes you think your baby is allergic to breastmilk? My son got the runs all the time from breastmilk, but it wasn't because he was allergic to it. It was because he was only nursing for 10 minutes at a time, and therefore getting the early, more sugary milk only (and not the fatty milk produced as the nursing episode progresses). Or so they told me.

Joy

Veteran

Thistle, this must be frustrating and scary. A friend's daughter's first baby is having major problems, bloody diaper type. The doctors suspect something(s) in baby's mom's like milk products, soy, nuts, etc. It still is a mystery. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your little Thistle.

unfrumped

Veteran

Do you have access to a pediatric allergist, as in your regional Children's hospital? Surely this is not a new road, and you deserve more resources.Sorry if my perspective sees it more as a medical allergy question than a lactation question if there is still the eczema issue, though both types of professionals could have good input.
I understand that a "trial off of breast milk" can have permanent consequences for going back. Years ago I agreed to represent my department at a key meeting out of state--no one else could go, ha--when DD2 was about 6 mos old and despite pumping, we never got back on the same track.

rachylou

Veteran

(OT... I see spell correct did a number on my last post...) How's it going?

Thistle

Veteran

Racy - We see a dermatologist on Monday. She had a massive reaction over the weekend after a long time of just keeping it under control.

This dermatologist is known for working with hard to treat eczema cases, so we'll see what she says.

After doing a lot of research, talking on the phone to a lactation consultant, and a La Leche League leader, I have decided to keep nursing and see. DD2 is in 97th percentile for length and the 77th percentile for weight. She is strong, happy and growing. All she has ever eaten is breast milk, and we have no poo issues (blood, mucus, the like). Both the lactation consultant and the LLL leader said if it was a true breastmilk allergy, and this is the only food she's eating, we'd see something more than eczema and she wouldn't be thriving.

So, we'll talk to the dermatologist next as it is on Monday, see what she says, and then it may be time to find a pediatric allergist.

unfrumped

Veteran

Thistle, so good you are getting some support. Good luck with the appointments! This must be very hard. Growing and happy baby is great to keep in perspective, though--something is working there!

Anonymous

I'm glad to hear you got in touch with an expert. Now you can rule out the breast milk as being the cause. I hope and pray you'll find the answer to this, though! I know too well how frustrating it is to battle with eczema.

anne

Veteran

Glad you can keep breastfeeding your baby! (I loved it too - my last baby I fed until she was 3 1/2 and I was about to travel interstate)
I hope this expert will be able to help you treat your poor child. I know you have been doing everything possible, and am so sorry that you have to see her suffer like this.

Lucy

Veteran

Fingers and toes crossed that your new doctor will have some answers , we are all thinking of you ...

rachylou

Veteran

Hej, Thistle! Sometimes I am such an airhead. You put out for me, kindly responding to my pestering inquiry. And then I go and nod in thanks and acknowledgement like anybody could see that. Omigosh. No. *Sometimes.* It's all the time. Don't make me repeat my story about being asked why I slept with earplugs and I responded, "Because of the light." (The streetlight outside, near my bedroom window, made a very loud buzzing sound.)

Ja ja. Just babbling now. Poor poor sweet brave baby. I'm so waiting for her (and y'all) to get some relief.