My 3 year old son has finally outgrown his allergy to milk protein (YAY) but he won't try new foods or even basic foods that he used to not be able to eat.
In my little guy's case, as a baby he was anemic from the irritation to his gut that led to blood loss (ouch). He was on Neocate for a long time (prescription formula). I read the excellent posts on the subject of picky eaters and I will definitely incorporate those ideas and suggestions. It would be nice to know if there are others on the board who have kids with outgrown food allergies to see how they're doing now and how long it took to overcome their "fear" of food.
Thanks!
My almost-four-year-old son outgrew his dairy allergy at age two but is still a little wary of milk. He's just reached the point where he will drink milk with cereal, but not on its own. He also eats yogurt and cheese (occasionally). I'm hoping he'll continue to try new things as time goes on. Good luck!
A.,
My daughter was lactose intolerant until she was about 2. It was the hardest thing because she wanted to milk products but just couldn't have them. She was on outrageously expensive formula, but its what she needed. Every 3 mths we tried milk again, until she 2 and finally she outgrew it. We don't know how or why any of this happened, but now milk is her favorite thing to have! She is a very picky eater too, but I don't push the issue. Every little bit she takes in, is good enough for me. She is underweight, but you can't force them to eat. When he's hungry enough, he'll eat something. Just give him time to adjust to this "new" thing, and he'll come around. It all comes with time!!
You are from The Woodlands??? Me too!!! I moved here to Ft Collins last September from about 20 years in The Woodlands, TX. I have a grand-daughter with the milk protein allergy. She is 9 months now. It is so tough on my son and daughter-in-law. I wish I could answer your question about growing out of the allergy--instead, I need to ask about how you handled it. Would love to correspond.
Love, B. (Mamaw)
There are so many schools of thought on this one.
If it were me, I'd probably give him a new food to try at each meal. Not push it, but get him to try a bite. I'd try a bite first and make yummy noises to show him how good it tasted.
You know, try to encourage him to try new things and reassure him that if Mommy can do it, then it's nothing scary.
Hi A.,
My 19 year old was horribly allergic to milk and milk products and the orange dye that they use as an additive (I can't remember the exact name of it now- but they use it in everything!) I had to process all his food by hand. He gradually outgrew them, but it was a long road getting him to eat "normal" food. I've always been a health nut so I gradually added different foods at every meal. We have always eaten together for meals and little by little he would start to eat more and more. Try to pick up on his favorites as you go along and use them as incentives to try something else first. He totally outgrew food allergies by about 5 years old. I remember when he even broke down and tried shellfish at the age of 13-and loved it. It just takes time and patience and lots of love and encouragement :)
Hope this helps a little!
Peace, T.
Hi A.
It could be just his age, its really common for toddlers and preschoolers to get "stuck" on 2 or 3 kinds foods. Almost all kids at this age are picky eaters. One child might only want to eat pizza and another might only want waffles morning, noon, and night. I've got 3 kids and 2 of them in their teens (13 & 14) and they are still picky eaters. They will eat the "C" foods, crackers, cookies, cake, candy, and cola. But cook veggies and you would think it was poison.
If you want him to drink regular milk put a little teaspoon (just enough for flavor) of chocolate in it. The doctor told me to do this when my oldest one wouldn't drink milk and I have been doing ever since. I buy the big size at Sam's club (or costco). Also try yogurt, cheese, and even orange and apple juice for calcium. I have heard you have to offer kids a particular food as much as 10 time before they will try it. Hope this helps.
I'm guessing that your doctor tested again for the allergy and found no response to milk? If you have not had him re-tested, I would suggest you do. We made the horrible mistake of assuming our son grew out of a food allergy but later discovered he had not. I really recommend the National Jewish Research Hopsital; it has saved my son's life. The allergy testing is quick and painless, if you go to someone who knows what they are doing.
If, infact, he has grown out of it, keep putting the product on his plate. The rule in my house is one bite of everything, even if it is something they have not liked in the past because our taste changes. And keep talking to him about it. Ask questions and give lots of positive encouragement.
