Hi, I am a new mom and having a tough time feeding my little one. She was allergic to regular fomula and is on Soy now. She has ezema and we don't really know what from, although I had it too and my husband. So we started rice ceral about 5 1/2 month and had no troubles, did it at night and that was a nightmare. So only for breakfast. Then I tried sweet potatoes in the am and her face broke out bad and she was fussy. Did it for 3 days and stopped. Face cleared a bit and fussiness went away. I am wondering should I continue to try new things, or a fruit, or give it up for know and just bottle feed. Plus how often should that be, she seems to fuss through her bottles as well? Any suggestions on the feeding things would be great. Thanks A.
From what you say it sounds like she could be allergic to soy as well as dairy. You are definitely doing the right thing introducing foods one at time and paying attention to her reactions. There are lots of discussion boards on the internet for parents of children with food allergies. I'd look for one and do more research. Good luck.
I have 2 children with food allergies. I have a 5yr old allergic to dairy,soy, eggs, peanuts,tree nuts and fish. My 10mo is allergic to dairy and soy. We took our children to Christine Fusillo in Westchester to do allergy testing on the 7 most common food allergies plus whatever we thought they were allergic to. With my 10mo it is hit or miss with baby food. I try food and see if there is any reaction, which is what it sounds like you are doing. MIne had a reaction to carrots. Sometimes it is odd things that you wouldn't think they would react to. I would try an allergist and move from there. If you do get a reaction from food, you can administer benadryl even to this age. I forgot to mention that my son was covered from head to toe in eczema. Once we found the food allergies and eliminated them from his diet, the eczema disappeared in @4 weeks. Now he just gets a little at season changes. We also had to use a formula called elecare because we had a soy allergy in addition to dairy. Hope even a little of this helps! C.
My daughter who is now almost 2 1/2 had what the drs said was bad eczema when she was a few weeks old due to my husband having it. But I didnt agree and got a second opinion and she was allergic to the milk AND the soy based formulas so she was put on the Nutramigen hypoallergenic formula. Its easier to digest and helps with fussiness. Its made by Enfamil. As for the sweet potatoes if her face breaks out that is one of the signs of an allergy. Especially since it goes away when you stop giving it to the baby. It may not be that but it is a common sign. I would contact a pediatric allergist...My daughter has since outgrown the soy allergy but not the cows milk protein and happily drinks her Soy Milk. And we found she is allergic to peanuts also. Good luck..let me know what happens.
Alison, I have a 6 month old and he doesn't seem to be adjusting to jar feeding either, as my daughter did. The most important thing to do is consult her doctor whenever you are uncomfortable with anything (schedule, food allergies, etc.). The second thing is, don't give up, sooner or later you will find a schedule that will fit both your daughter and you. What I do is feed my son his first bottle about an hour after he gets up (about 4 oz. at 6:00). He gets a 6 oz. bottle around 10:00, then 1/2 jar of food at 12:00 noon but no bottle. Then when he wakes up from his afternoon nap, at about 3:00 he gets another 6 oz bottle. I then give him another 1/2 jar food around 5:30 - 6:00 and then a final 8 oz bottle at 7:30 right before bed. Remember that things she tries that she doesn't seem to like, she might like a couple weeks later. My son absolutely would not eat the cereal in a box, but he loves the cereal in a jar (go figure). Also, the only fruit he will eat is bananas. I did figure out that it might be a texture thing, he tends to like things on the thicker side. Try the sweet potatoes again in a couple weeks and see if you get the same reaction. In the meantime, keep trying other things as well. My daughter loved the green beans!
Hi Alison,
I would like to suggest that you check the ingredients in the baby food. There may be additives she is allergic to. If there is any way for you to make her food from fresh whole foods then you will know what you are feeding her and not have to guess.
Hi Alison,
My daughter is 9 now and was diagnosed with a dairy allergy when I started solids at 7 months. She also had close to severe eczema. She breastfed until 7 months and then I started suplementing with soy milk.
But I found out in later that she is allergic to soy also! I found a stat. that 40% of kids with dairy allergies are also allergic to soy.
I would suggest you get a good allergist who will do blood draws for allergy tests. That way the baby just gets one prick and not skin testing that can be so uncomfortable. Also, immune systems have to mature just like any other part of the body. If she is showing so many signs of sensitivity I would hold off on any solids to give her little body a chance to grow up and mature some. When we start foods before the baby's body understands what to do with it we end up with allergies. If we wait, we are less likely to see any reactions at all.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
-H.
Allison - it sounds like your little girl has some allergies and I know that the longer you can wait to introduce solids the better for that sort of thing - perhaps you should try going back to just the rice cereal for a few days, then starting adding one thing at a time. Ie. pears. I have heard that a good formula is the Nestle Right Start?? can't remember the proper name. Also Dr. Sears has a book called The Baby Book that talks about introducing solids - that may be helpful. I would call your pediatrician and get some recommendations - eczema is also a sign that she has some sensitivities. Did you buy jarred food or puree your own? You could try the latter as some jarred foods have additives in them . . .
take care and good luck.
M.
