Food Allergies - Spanish Fork, UT

D.,

My daughter had severe food allergies and we had to start from scratch. This is what we did: We started her on baby rice cereal with water for 2 weeks. (Gave her baby vitamins during this time). If no reactions, added baby green beans, waited 2 weeks, then baby carrots, etc. The doctor told us to stay away from tomato products, citrus, dairy and wheat products. We didn't even introduce those until she was over 2 years old. She is a happy, health 25 year old now!

Hope that helps.

L. :)

Ask your ped for a referal to a nutrionist(sp).

Your best bet is to just read all labels very carefully. I grew up with severe allergies to Milk, all dairy, and beef. I did not grow out of my allergies until I was 21 years old, and still have a reaction to dairy products if I eat them in excess. When you read the labels watch for milk derivatives like whey and there are a few others you may need to research. I also drank soy formula until I was 12 now they have soy milk out there which will be a help. Also they have Moca Mix ice cream and that was a God send to a child... Good luck and I wish you the best.

I am a career woman with six children (no allergies) and a wonderful husband of 12 years.

It will be very helpful for you if you check out FAAN, the Food Allergy and Anaphlaxis Network. They have a great website, and send out email allerts about common foods that have hidden allergens in them (you practicly need to be a chemist to understand some food labels, so this is very helpful!)

My son has allergies to eggs and nuts as well. We didn't find out until he was about 16 months old. It is good you know so soon. My advice is to read labels. Eggs especially are in a lot of things. I've also found that some times nuts or nut flour is in something like a granola bar when you can't even taste it. Health food stores sell egg replacer that you can use in your baking and cooing at home. You can also buy soynut butter that is like a peanut butter substitute -sold nxt to the peanut butter in grocery stores. I know you won't have to worry about this stuff for awhile, but time flies. As far as starting baby foods, make sure you only introduce one food at a time and wait 3 days to a week to see if he has a reaction before trying a new one.

i would not hurry on the solid foods. are you breast feeding? do not start with bananas, very slow and sluggish on digestion. several things could be coming into play here. vaccines have egg protein in most and peanut oil in some and when they inject such a large protein directly into the body without going through digestion, there can be a reactive sensitivity because the digestive system is not developed enough to handle it. you are going to have to read labels and get involved with some wellness care providers to get some different perspectives on your child's health and diet. I, of course, am going to recommend ped. chiropractor since that is what i am and i deal with this daily. also, your child will most likely be prone to ear infections with this type of allergy and health challenge. you have many options. please look at the big picture here and these allergies are very dangerous and hard for the entire family. good luck

My son is allergic to nuts, soy, sesames and peas. Here is the link to UFAN: http://www.utahfoodallergy.org/. They have meetings once a month and a great network to talk to other people and get advice. There is a meeting this Thursday downtown, but check to see if there are meetings closer to you. It is very scary and overwhelming...this network could be really helpful.

No worries! It will all work out. My son is allergice to milk and they think he will grow out of it as well. It is a little challenging at first but you will get the hang of what to have on hand. Soy milk is a great alternative and so is soy cheese. My son also loves pork and beans, black beans and all kinds of fruits and veggies. My biggest concern is getting him the protein and calcium he needs but good soy is calcium enriched and the beans and lunch meats is where I give him his protein. My nephew had the same problem and my sister carried the store bought rice crispies in her purse for a couple of years. That way if someone was having a treat at their house or a B-day party, she had something sweet he could eat. He also loved pasta and there are several types of things he can eat once he learns to use his pincer. Good luck!

I would advice you to do the same thing I did for my daughter..not because she had food allergies, but because it so much healthier.. fix his food yourself and grind it up in a food processor, or the little white baby food hand grinder. That way you know exactly what your baby is eating, and have no concerns. You can prepare enough at one time and put it in little plastic containers to refrigerate or even freeze for later use. fresh food is so much healthier, and your child will appreciate the flavor too!! may take a little time, but your anxieties will be gone, and that is worth it!! Using the little hand grinder also makes it easy to go out with your child, you just grind up some of your food, and all is well!!

You can get a baby food grinder ( they sell them in various baby catalogs like One Step Ahead, and probably at a local kids specialty store) or a food processor, and make your own baby food. Steam veggies and then just grind them up! Portion the puree into an ice cube tray, freeze it, and pop the food cubes out and put them in a Ziplock for storage. Microwave them when it's time to feed your baby. It's time consuming, but worth it, and cheaper than storebought! AND, you will know what is in the food.
My friend has a daughter with a peanut allergy--it is very difficlut for them. They just don't allow any peanuts or peanut products in the house. Make sure you read labels--her daughter had a reaction to a peanut-free food that said "processed in a facility that also processes peanuts" on the package.

My daughter is 13 months old and was diagnosed with peanut, milk and egg allergies at 6 months old. I have relied heavily on vegan(no animal products, including cow's milk and eggs) blogs and cookbooks for ideas - both great resources. I immediately contacted a nutritionist at Children's Hospital and she was full of information. Now that my daughter is 1 and I have to start fixing her more meals that my whole family can eat, I made an appt. with the concierge at Whole Foods Market downtown. It was amazing - she gave me a list of products in their store that were free of allergens and walked through the entire store pointing them out to me. She let me try a couple products, too. It was the best experience and gave me so many more ideas for feeding my daughter. Please let me know if you need more ideas. It definitely can get overwhelming, but we are eating so healthily because of the new foods & ingredients we've tried becuase of my daughter.

How did they find these allergies?

D.,
I've been in your shoes. My son, now 5, wasn't diagnosed until he was 16 months, it was frustrating not knowing what was going on. He has out grown his milk and egg allergy, and the allergist told us his peanut allergy is a sensivity, but we still treat it as an allergy, makes it easier for everyone to understand. I read every lable that we bought, Now they are listing allergens on the lable, they didn't before. I suggest that you grind your own food for him, I know thats a lot of work, but if you are worried that will help. Gerber makes an organic baby food, that may work.
Good Luck
J.

According to old fashioned standards, you can breast feed for a year without giving any thing else, maybe a little cereal. At a year take him for more tests, his body might be mature enough to accept more of the other things by then. Milk is for baby calves and they have 2 stomachs to digest it, and never after a year does any other creature on earth require milk. Yogurt and cheese seem to be broken down in their extreme processing enough not to hurt those of us with some allergy to milk.
Our children were all in lots better health when we stopped force feeding milk, and didn't require any more prescription antibiotics for anything until they got to school and started getting stuff from other kids. The Dairy Association wants people to buy milk for their profit, not for healthy children, just like the Tobacco growers industry. They are both farm organizations, they both need profit. I have nothing against farmers, I just wish they would grow beans instead!!

Hi,
We actually only used a few jars of baby food. We made our own in a blender. It was very easy. We often just took the food we were eating. This was way cheaper and we knew exactly what we were feeding our son.
Best of luck,
S.
http://www.GreenerSuccess.MomsMakeMore.com
helping Moms help there families

Dear D.,
It is common for breastfed infants to have problems when their Mom drinks or eats milk products- and it's so challenging! When you look at the pros and cons, it will be relatively easy enough to change your diet. Unfortuantely your change will have to include more foods than milk products- learn to use substitutes like Rice milk, soy milk for now- it won't last forever.

My second daughter had colic when I ingested any milk products. I learned to stay away from them until she grew out of it.

If he is allergenic, it is even more important that you breastfeed him and only start to introduce foods when he becomes demanding- he will let you know when he wants to eat! When you do introduce foods, be sure that you introduce them very slowly- give him at least a week on a new food or even longer and introduce only ONE NEW FOOD AT A TIME, so you can evaluate his response. Mild veggies or fruit. Gerber rice is how old? No one knows for sure! Feed him only food that you have prepared yourself or organic baby foods. (You can do it!)
Consider nursing him for a while. My first child wasn't really interested in food until she was older and didn't have any teeth until she was 11 months old. Their teeth eruptions have a connection with their enzymes and ability to digest foods. I would recommend that you talk to a qualified Lactation Consultant. You can usually find them at the larger hospitals or the District Health in your area. They have a wealth of experience and can help with very practical tips.

It's going to go by faster than you think. I really encourage the moms I work with to nurse for... 2.5 years! Yes it sounds like forever, but it has so many advantages, especially with babies that have allergies! Realize that over time babies don't nurse as often as they do when they are his age. They do gravitate to foods and nursing becomes a comfort as well as a nutritional plus.
Take Care and God Bless,
H. B. MOM, Mother of Many (9)

Actually baby food is pretty safe. Just check the label. It should say contains: then whatever it might contain. As you start getting him on solid, like the stuff you eat you will have some problems. If he grows out of the egg and milk it won't be as bad, if you look you can find things that don't contain even trace mounts. Good luck, and from someone who is going through it, it will get better. It seemed overwelming in the first, but now it is not as bad. The hardest is family who don't have to deal with it daily, just take something you know he can have with you, and always have something on hand when you are at other places. And ALWAYS check the label no matter what.

I didn't have this problem personally, but my sister's son was found to have the same allergies at age 1 (he's now almost 2). I know it has been trying sometimes, but she has just had to be diligent about what he eats. It's especially hard when the rest of us are having things he can't eat, but he just know he can't have "cows milk" because it will make him sick.

When she stopped breastfeeding she put him on Silk Children's formula (higher calorie content than the regular). I know they also have soy formulas for the younger ones.

She also did research and found a website that provided information like lists of milk based ingredients printed on a card that she could give to me and other caregivers. That has been great. She has also found several vegan cookbooks and we have had birthday cakes and brownies that are vegan.

Luckily fruits and veggies are still in and so most pretzels and graham crackers. There are breads and lunchmeats that don't contaitin milk products, but a lot of them do. You just have to become a good label reader which is something you can definitely do!!

I, too was allergic to milk and eggs, among many other items, and my dad was a dairy farmer! Imagine that! Mom ended up having to use soy milk or goat milk for me. I know rice milk is also available now for allergy prone people. I did grow out of my allergies, but I had so many. I can tolerate anything now and enjoy food! ha ha

Work with your allergist. Were you eating tree nuts and peanuts so that your child was being exposed to these nuts at such an early age? As well as the eggs, etc....?

I am so sorry you have to endure this, but know there are moms out there that will have great advice for you! Just keep holding on....

I feel your pain. My 1 year old recently got diagnosed with a milk allergy and before that we did an elimination diet - no eggs, milk, melon, bananas. It was hard but definitely worth it. I would not push starting him on solids. You have plenty of time. Then I'm sure the oatmeal/rice cereals would be safe. I find it's just easier to give him food that I make - stay away from processed food that you aren't sure what's in it. That's especially true with the nut allery - my 3 year old has that!! :) Because even though a lot of food doesn't have the nut in it, they are processed in plants that use them. Hang in there, it's hard at first but you will get used to it!

We also have allergies. I say plan to breastfeed as long as you possibly can. That has taken out a lot of the stress of making sure my daughter has enough to eat even as she becomes a busy toddler. Also, there is no "should" when starting solids. He is only six months, you can wait a couple more months if you are nervous about reactions. At that age, my daugher ate a lot of banana, avocado, sweet potato, and pears. If you focus on whole foods, you don't have to worry about unknown allergens in the processed ones. She's never had packaged "baby food," I have the same reaction you do to it, I don't trust it! Plus buying mashed bananas in a jar are way more expensive and less nutritious than just buying bananas (and they are very easy to mash). I'm sorry you're having to deal with this, but pretty soon it will feel like no big deal.

For anyone in the Wausau area that has a food allergy or child with one, there is a support group called WAFAST. They have a website www.wafast.com. WAFAST meets once a month. They have alot of knowledge and great resources. I have 3 kids with food allergies and belong to the group. It is nice to talk with people who understand the risks and have the same concerns as you. Check out the website or stop in at a meeting. They have great ideas and are a group of really nice people.

Well, catch your breath, food allergies are not the end of the world anymore. Each of my kids had at least one, and at the time I thought I would die and blamed myself. Back then, I did not have a blender or many of the kitchen implements we now have in most of our kitchens.... #1 for milk allergy, get some soy milk. My son in law taught me about that one, as he is allergic to milk. #2 At the health food store is a product to replace eggs in most of your cooking/baking and it tastes pretty good. To be sure you have safe food, make your own. For a shower gift, I often give a babyfood grinder. Anything you cook for yourself or family can be put into that little wonder and ground down to whatever consistancy you think your child has reached... Our Granddaughter was eating what ever the rest of us were eating by the time she was 6 months old.
Most of the foods we love to eat, but might have foods your baby cannot have because of allergies, will be available to you at the Harvest Health food stores. If I had only known about them 40 years ago, life might have been easier for my 4 kids. Good luck You know life will be so much easier for you and your hubby now that you have actually discovered what the baby's problem really is. Good luck!!!!

My youngest son seemed to have picked up a lot of food and drug allergies after a bout with Chicken pox. He was tested at 1 year and was told he was allergic to wheat, milk, eggs, beans, peanuts, corn, and many more things. It was hard to cook for him let alone go out to eat. I took him to a pediactric allegist who told me that the needle tests are not as accurate as they like you to believe and most food allergies are out grown before the age of 5 unless they are new ones later in life. That it is the digestive system not being developed enough. My son is now 20 and he still can't eat nuts or peanuts of any kind and bananas. His medicine allergies he will not chance by trying them again.

Just remember when introducing a new food just do one at a time. Keep a journal on how he reacts to it. My son's pediactric allergist told me that if there was going to be a reaction, it would be shortly after he has eaten the food.

They have some soy milk that is fortified for children. My granddaughter was on soy formula until she turned a year old and now drinks that. She loves it and while we try regular milk on her once in a while to see if she has outgrown the milk allergy (she eats cheese and ice cream without any problem). She will not drink regular milk at all, she tells us it is ack.

GET A SECOND OPINION!!!!!!!! I think a lot of pediatricians are quick to diagnose a problem because that's what parents what. A DIAGNOSIS. Take him to an allergy specialist or a pediatrician at a different facility.
Then, if they say the same thing, there are several ways to get through this. First of all, know that in a few months, everything will be calm and seem normal. Read up on these allergies and do what's best for your family.

D.-

I highly recommend you check out one of my favorite websites: www.allergykids.com

This site was created by a mother who's child had severe allergies. She has done a lot of research and has found things that make a difference.

My grand daughter has severe food allergies. My daughter has learned how to cook with cornmeal and rice flour. She sticks to "God" foods (fruit, veggies, meats) but when she bakes, she has found that while working with rice flour creates a problem it is not impossible. She makes a lot of tamales (we're Mexican so that works very well for us:)

There are great web sites out there as well. Good luck.

My second has a milk allergy. I made a lot of my own baby food when he was young. I know this sounds like a lot of work, but it really wasn't. We bought a hand crank food mill (at a local baby store) and I would grind up any food that we were eating at the table that were appropriate for him. (We also would take it when we were "eating out"; restraunt or other peoples homes). Then once a week, I would process a large batch or two of foods that we didn't normally eat or that when we ate it, it was "contaminated". I would freeze the food in ice cube trays or 1/2 cup portions, so they would keep and were easy to prepare. I processed my food in a blender, or by hand, depending on what it was. At first, reading all the labels seems very tedious, but I carried a small notebook, and when I found a store product that he could have, I would write it down and the store. Health food store, or the "natural foods" sections are a good place to start, but not the only places to look. Over time I had a list that was quite long. Most of the things I keep in the "pantry" I found replacements for. Then I also tweeked recipes at home when I could. There are also lots of books on allergies and many of them have recipes. I also have the rest of the family eat meals prepared with his "modifications" (that taste good) about half of the time, or I have choices (some he can have, some he cann't...usually on left over night), or other times, I just make his own serving to accomidate him. He is now 4 and doing great. It is an adjustment for the whole family, but everyone soon gets on track and it becomes "normal". He understands why he cann't have everything that the rest of us can and accepts it and will tell people at school (or other places where people may not know) which means he is taking responsibility for his health. Marilu Henner also has some books on health that might be helpful to you. She seems a bit extreme at times, but a lot of her recipes might work for you (when your little one gets older, there are recipes for EVERYTHING kids like, they might not all work, but it would be a good place to look). As a family, we are all eating healthier because of my awareness of whay we are actually eating now. Good luck!

Hi D.-I am a stay at home mom too! I have an 11yr old boy, and 8yr old girl, and a 4yr old girl. My son has food allergies as well. He is allergic to milk, eggs, cheese, soy, peanutbutter, mild allergy to wheat. Along with that he has severe asthma and allergies to animal dander.
Reading labels and asking questions at resturants will become very habitual for you!
I would encourage you to buy fresh fruits and veggies and puree them to make your own baby food. If you want more ideas or just to talk about more specific things just mail me back.

It is nicer to found out sooner than later because they really dont know what they are missing.

My son has no desire to eat all the regular junk food that we eat because it makes him feel so bad and he reads labels and asks questions and knows what he can and cannot eat.
In fact he eats so much healthier than we do! At times I wish I had my own food allergies, especially to chocolate!

I hope this encourages you and helps you out.
K.

D.,
The feeling of being overwhelmed is totally normal and will quickly pass. My son has allergies to milk eggs nuts and some other stuff too. Its very easy to think about the things he wont be able to eat, but think of all the good stuff he can eat! Fruits, veggies, rice milk, soy milk (maybe). You can make your own food instead of Gerbers too. I got a baby food maker and did a lot of organic food. Earths best has nice canned foods, but they often had mixtures that didn't work for my son. Remember to only introduce one new food a week, that way if he has a reaction you know what the food is an can avoid it. They cant test kids for too many allergies, so they're may be more allergies you haven't discovered yet. I know, but stay calm, it could be worse!
They're are soy formulas out on the market, as well as some rice formulas too. I used those in some foods to make them tastier.
Good luck!
H.

In today's world allergies are not uncommon. Don't panic there is a lot of foods that he can eat. A good allergy specialist you can trust will test him for allergies and help you out, see one ASAP and you both with benefit from it.
Good Luck

Our DS was diagnosed w/ peanut/tree nut allergy just about 1. So we know how daunting it can be at first. But after a while you'll get over the shock and it'll just be part of life. My best recomendation is just to read labels, over and over. Even if you think you've already read it, it can't hurt to read again. All the baby foods contain an ingrediant list and adult/toddler foods also have Allergy warnings on them. If you can get to the West Side of Madison, WI there is a infant/toddler cafe(they also deliver and have their food at Senty Hilldale and Woodmans in the freezer section). They make their own food. If you explain the allergies I'm sure they can let you know what is safe and free from cross-contamination. They have baby food that's prepared and you can put in your freezer. It' called Bean Sprouts Cafe (http://www.beansproutscafe.com/). Another alternative is to make your own and freeze. It's not as hard as it sounds just takes a little time. Good luck!

Hi D.,
My Aunt is allergic to peanuts really bad just even a swif of it can put her through antifilactic shock. The thing that we do is if we buy anything that is new or anything at all we look on the back and read the ingredients and if it says MAY CONTAIN FACILITIES THAT HANDLE PEANUTS. Do not use that for your child ever. Don't be scared I know what you are going through and if you have any questions just email me at ____@____.com and in the subject put down D. from MAmasource then I will check it. So I hope this has helped a little.

OK, the first thing you do is breath....in....out and repeat. I have been where you are and it is scary at first but you do learn to deal with it. I started making my own baby food, but instead of making it every day I would make it once a week and freeze it in ice cube trays then store it in a zip top freezer bag. I would steam my veggies and hard fruits and also chicken. I would use canned beans but I would rinse then very well to get rid of the extra sodium. I would experiment with different flavors, fresh basil and oregano, little bits of cayenne pepper, cinnamon in the apples, and now my daughter is a very adventurous eater. Hope this helps
J.

my first child was allergic to everything...even my milk..he could eat tuna,hot dogs,bread,soy milk and that was about it i fed him tuna for breakfast...at six months...and hot dogs..the doctor said he would do fine and today he is fifty years old and is six feet four inches tall i fed him just what ever he could eat do not feel helpless cause he will be fine...

I went through the same thing with my now 5 year old at six months we found out that he had allergies to eggs, wheat, cat, mold and many more i was still breast feeding at the time and had to quit cold turkey which broke my heart. My son Doctor said to not let him have any of the products for 15 months I think and then re interduces them one at a time and see if he had a reaction and if so what kind it was. SO we did that and he is still alleggic to them but is able to eat them he just get a small rash if he eats alot of that curtain product. Baby Food is very safe you just have to look at all the labels and see which ones have the products that your son can't have its alot of work but it works. hope you all the best. K.

I have a now 6 yr old that at birth was put on neocate formula, He was allergic to milk and soy formulas. We went to a GI dr. he was having blood in his stool. We couldn't start solids till he was 6 months and we did one at a time we used the "organic ones". He out grew all his allergies by one except the peanut one(not common)that was at 3 yr. We now have a 5 month old that I am breastfeeding he also has allergies. The GI dr put him on Oprazole for reflux. And we are taling it slow. My one advice is READ ALL LABELS. some good websites are: www.kidswithfoodallergies.org, www.askdrsears.com, www.seattlefoodallergy.org and www.foodallergyinitiative.org hope those help. T. V.

D.:
Having suffered through food allergies myself, I can understand your concern.
Luckily your baby is very likely to adapt and enjoy even a "limited" diet, since he has not had any solids yet.
I found that the best food you can give your baby is the one you make yourself, instead of Gerber or any other store bought baby food. It may sound like a lot of work, but believe me it's not!
I mashed my own bananas, and blended pretty much any veggies and even rice and chicken (when the time came) in a tiny blender attachment that allowed me to make small quantities of food for my baby. That way he always had freshly made food. I used the same vegetables and/or ingredients I had prepared for the family dinner.
The little jar (Oster) I used is probably not available anymore, but you can use a food processor to accomplish the same.
Good luck!