Allergy to Formula?!!!

[2Loulou]

Hi,

Another odity this week:

did anyone get this? my 4 month old had her first bottle on Wednesday, but all the area that was in contact with the milk (around the mouth, a drip on the neck and the face) became red and swollen...it went away a couple of hours later, but no body is giving a firm and confident advice, some are saying just don't give it to her again, HV said talk to GP, GP said try a different and if she gets too swollen run to A&E or come back to get referred, in the meantime, she is demanding feedings non stop and seems like my milk is no longer enough for her! anyone came accross this and what did you end up doing please!

Thanks in advance

[helena handbasket]

Could it be a latex nipple on the bottle? I know if I wear latex gloves my hands really react.

Maybe try silicone and see if it's any better? Just a thought.

[Ruth_Baldock]

May not be an allergy to the formula, but the teats. What are they made out of? Like HH, I am allergic to latex (allright, allright, laugh away with your condom jokes, have heard it before) and get contact dermatitis whenever I use latex gloves etc.

She may be demanding milk more often now due to a growth spurt, so unless Baby is losing weight and isn't producing enough wet/dirty nappies (wet- 6/day generally) don't automatically assume she's ravenous due to lack of milk. If she's generally happy, not losing weight (static/slow weight gain in BF babies is common) and isn't dehydrated, then your milk is aokay. If you know all this already, apologies for repeated information :)

[2Loulou]

I was told that too, but I am using the Avent bottle (the bpa free ones etc..and I understand that is silicone?? r is it not?

[2Loulou]

To Ruth, I am kind of drained, she is feeding non stop and through the night too, and I have a 3 year old this time, so ca not take it anymore!!! a bit selfish but I just want my life back ,,, sleep, freedom, and a glass of wine

[Ruth_Baldock]

Fair does, I just wanted to make sure you hadn't been given any erroneous advice about your milk drying up or anything :)

If you want to check whether it's a formula or teat reaction, you could always squirt a tiny amount of formula onto her leg or arm, without the teat contacting her skin, and see if you get the same reaction. If so, it's the formula. If not, it's probably the teat. Silicone allergies can happen too, although they may be slightly less common-place than latex.

[2Loulou]

I tried that, and nothing on the leg, although on the face you could see the reaction in the shape of the milk drip on the face, neck etc..not just around the mouth... strange! maybe the skin on the face is more sensitive?! but she is definitely hungry and she would finish the bottle if I let her!

[ladywotlunches]

2Loulou - have you tried a different brand yet? Don't know which you are using, but Aptimil and Cow and Gate are exactly the same (just branding as far as I'm aware), so don't switch from one to the other of those.

Hipp Organic might be a good bet, as it will have less artificial stuff in (maybe?!)

Rather than waste lots of powder, perhaps try 2 or 3 different types in the ready to feed cartons?

[2Loulou]

I am using Aptamil but will try Hipps..thanks for the tip, i didn't know they were similar

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

My son is allergic to formula and he just got a rash on his face, nowhere else. HIPP causes the worst rash.

[supergolden88]

Aptamil make a formula for babies who are allergic but I believe you can only get that on prescription

[2Loulou]

I was frustrated to hear the GP suggesting I carry on bf, as much as I believe it is good, being forced to do it just drives me crazy!!! After some negotiations she suggested to give my daughter more milk and go back if she has a reaction, I may be referred for tests. only if there is an evidence of allergies I will have a prescription for an suitable milk I think... they even advised to wean her early...i think all options will be explored before I get a prescription.

[Au'Lait]

You can just go to the chemist and buy a hypo-allergenic formula such as Nutramigen, which is suitable for cows milk allergy. I had to fall back on formula in the early days of breastfeeding and due to a family history of allergy I wasn't prepared to give my baby cows milk and risk a reaction. If you ask for it by brand I found that they will generally give it to you without a fuss or a prescription.

I'm not any sort of medical expert, but my cousin has lived (only just a few times) with serious allergy, and my niece and nephew have some fairly big issues too. An serious allergic reaction is a potentially life threatening thing, and short of that deeply distressing and uncomfortable. If she's already reacted once to give it to her again seems like madness to me. If you do give it to her, call me paranoid, but can I ask you to consider going to sit in A&E while you do?

[Fuschia]

I think I would insist on a referral for allergy testing

It sounds like cows milk protein allergy

This is usually grown out of

However she may have other allergies

[2Loulou]

I did try with a spoon to eliminate the latex allergy hypothesis and she reacted to that too, even with just a drop of milk on her face and lips, but I called a pediatrician in France and she said, do NOT ever try again, having a mild reaction doesn't mean she is not allergic and she could have a serious reaction later, some family members said with a serious reaction she would not even make it to A&E!!! I panicked so much I went to wake her up and check she was alright!!!! I cannot believe the GP (with advice from the pediatrician) asked me to try again...anyway, I am seeing the GP again on Tuesday and will insist on getting tests done.

I didn't know you could get hypoallergenic milk without prescription, I may resort to that if my patience with bf runs out

[Fuschia]

That formula smells and tastes foul and is extremely expensive though! Also if she had very severs multiple allergies even nutramigenight be a problem

I Eouldnt self prescribe but stick with bf only till you get proper advice

I had a similar allergy as a baby!

[cuppa tea]

2loulou -

As a disclaimer I have no opinion either way as to whether you continue to breastfeed or not, but just going back to your original post your baby may be demanding feeds non-stop to increase your milk supply. I found both mine did this, especially during a growth spurt. They would feed like every ten minutes, sometimes more, especially at night. I would then find the next day I seemed to have more milk and they would be more satisfied. As long as your baby is not losing weight or dehydrated then she should be getting enough. From what I can make out the frequency of feeds and emptying the breasts is what increases your supply. Also found Fenugreek tea works...or eating a curry with it in! Resting (i know I know!) and drinking enough water also help.

[2Loulou]

I feel terrible about it and know that bf is great and I won't be having more kids so my last chance to enjoy it... however, I find myself so irritable when she demands breast too often and would not let go in the middle of the night, I want to snatch my nipple out of her mouth with rage!!! does this sound crazy!!!?? so I am thinking for my own sanity, it's best to combine and stop completely when we are both ready...hopefully I am not just being a terrible mum

I am also thinking of sorting few things out and returning to work soon, so need my independence and hers rather soon

I think the fact she is allergic to formula puts even more pressure on me and I feel I have no other option but bf...which is not helping enough whinging now

[Fuschia]

Google dysmorphic ejection reflex ... When you get a rush of bad feelings when the baby latches on

I get it sometimes ESP if hot and bothered

I wonder if a relaxation hypno track might help ... There is even a bf one

[Fuschia]

Dysphoric

Sorry

http://www.breastfeeding.com/helpme/bfing_secret.html

[2Loulou]

I just did...exactly how i feel...super angry at everyone and everything :) somehow I am glad I am not alone

[cuppa tea]

"however, I find myself so irritable when she demands breast too often and would not let go in the middle of the night, I want to snatch my nipple out of her mouth with rage!!! does this sound crazy!!!?? so I am thinking for my own sanity, it's best to combine and stop completely when we are both ready...hopefully I am not just being a terrible mum"

No you are not crazy and this does not make you a terrible mum!! I have felt plenty of rage at my baby in the middle of the night. I am sure it is very common! I'm learning to go with the flow more and fight less...if that makes sense.

Fuschia - That's really interesting. I've never heard of it until now. If I am feeling upset I will almost always cry when the baby latches on. Rush of emotion - strange.

[Fuschia]

I sometimes get a rush of anxiety ... I guess it's the sudden droP in dopamine

I think in a less severe way many of us suffer occasionally

[mima08]

Fuschia Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Google dysmorphic ejection reflex ... When you get

> a rush of bad feelings when the baby latches on

> I get it sometimes ESP if hot and bothered

>

OMG, that described me to a tee! Cue endless tears and feeling dreadful for being such a bad mother! I ended up suffering from Raynauds - which apparently may be brought on by strong emotional distress....

[Fuschia]

The hormones involved in breastfeeding are very strong

Both thd lovely loved up happy oxytocin and these negative rushes that are awful