Rash - Is It the Formula?

It was probably the formula - his skin isn't used to the ingredients - trying pumping next time you have to leave - if you are going to be leaving regularly you might need to try another formula.

well i cant tell u if it is or isnt formula... but one nite i picked my daughter up to take her to bed and underneath her chin and on her chest was red.. and felt dry.. so i put some vaseline on there so that it brings a lil moisture to her red spot.. the next day it was gone.

Hi J.,

Probably yes on the formula causing the rash, and no on the breast feeding causing the cold.

got to hurry. C. N.

I experienced something similar with 2 of my children. My older son, when he was 8 months, I gave him formula for the first time and he developed a rash all over his body, there was not one spot on him that didn't have a red bump on it. I took him to the hospital, and the DR. told me it was the formula. I was told to give him soy milk. I gave him soy formula and he was fine. When he turned 1, and I gave him regular milk, he had a rash only around his mouth, so I continued to give him soy based milk, and he later outgrew the allergy. When he was about 18 months, he tolerated regular milk fine. So to answer your question, yes I am pretty sure it is the milk. You could try soy based milk for a while. Good luck.

I agree w/the previous response.....probably not from the formula. As the other mom said, could be form his skin rubbing againt itself but also, maybe he's 'slopped' some of the formula under his neck & then it puddled up there causing a rash. Babies have so many rolls & it's hard to keep them all clean! But definately take him to his dr. & get confirmation. Since it's getting warmer now, you might try putting some powder in the rashy area to keep it dry. Good luck!

J.,

It could be the formula, it could be teething (their saliva gets really acidy when they teeth and it can leave a rash on their face). It is unlikely that it is caused from breastfeeding unless you've added something new to your diet that he's reacting to. Since you are getting sick, definitely don't stop nursing. If you do, you will be exposing your son to whatever illness you have without passing the antibodies your body produces onto him. You may be able to solve the problem simply by washing his face. I know that my 7 month old sometimes gets a little rash on his face if the babysitter doesn't wash all the food off his face after she feeds him.

:-)T.

I totally agree 100% with the lactation consultant that posted. Would you be able to get a pump for the times you need to go out? The Medela Harmony manual pump would be good for the times you need to be out for awhile. If you are going to work full time, try checking out an electric pump. The Medela Harmony pump is about $30 at Target. I don't know how much formula is because I've never bought it, but you could save some money on buying it by pumping. Good luck to you!! And don't worry about being sick either... I've been more sick than my son in the last year and he's never caught it. The breastmilk will help!

Hi J., just wanted to mention that it could also be an allergic reaction to the laundry/fabric softener of the person who possibly held him next to her clothes while holding him. I have to be particular with things like that because of very sensitive skin. It might not be the formula at all. I would keep an eye out for both possibilities. Good luck. M.

Hi J.. I doubt that the formula is causing this. My son once broke out in hive-like things under his chin and jaw line. I took him to the doctor and he said it was a heat rash...there is also something called a fat-rash. (I doubt this is a medical term but my doctor explained it to me.) When their fat rubs together, it causes friction and that makes them brake out too. Kind of like a heat rash. What I would do is take him to the doctor, and let him calm you down. It could be something worth looking into, but I doubt it.
Tell your ped. exactly what you stated here. I'm sure he'll tell you something assuring. I have never heard of kids braking out in rashes because of formula. My son had to drink Similac with Iron because he instantly threw the rest of the stuff up. And when he had an allergic reaction to cocktail sauce, he's face got red, as did his neck. If you want to be completley sure, take him to the doctor. No one can get upset with you wanting to make sure your child's health is fine.
I hope this helps. Good luck, and be sure to write us and let us know what happened. Best Wishes, T.

When my daughter was 5 months old I gave her the baby food jar bananna and she got a rash on her stomach. The doctor told me that when they get a reaction to something it will be tiny red bumps that feel like sand paper to the touch. Does it feel like that?

More than likely your son had an allergic reaction to the formula, or it could also be an allergic reaction to the nipple on the bottle.
I would suggest you purchase a pump. I don't remember how long breast milk stays good for in the refrigerator and the freezer, but I am sure you can easily find this information on the internet or from your son's pediatrician.

M. *~

I found out the hard way that my breastfed daughter was allergic to formula, when I tried to introduce it. She drank maybe 1/2 an ounce and broke out ALL OVER!!! Immediately hives from head to toe. Maybe he is having an allergic reaction, but it sounds so mild compared to our experience that I doubt it. I would tend to agree with the others that it may be detergent based or other type of rash.

Hi J.,

This could easily be the formula. His little body is not use to anything but you. I would suggest that if you have to go out again to do one of two things. Pump your milk and then freeze it, it will stay for a few weeks that way or go with organic soy based formulas.

You my also what to check your laundry detergent. Sometimes that can cause it too.

Hope this helps good luck.

L. C
Personal Nutritionist
www.Herbalmom.com

Hi J.,

I am a Lactation Consultant in the Sacramento Area - My name is J. Simpson, IBCLC.

In answer to your question I must repsectfully disagree with the other 2 posters that formula is not going to casue a rash - in fact it can and often does. Rashes are often times the result of an allergy as we all know - they are a response that the body uses to say there is a problem with what it just had put in it. So, yes it is possible that your son is allergic. It could be that his skin did come in contact with it and it is a topical reaction or that his body is simply finding a way to tell you it doesn't like formula. Either way, it is possible. Excema is an allergic response most often to dairy - it starts off looking like a red rash then the skin goes to the flaky, fdry skin look in patches.

If you need to use formula again, watch for the rash...if it happens again, then you know it is defintely an allergy response. If not - then maybe it was just a coincidence - or a heat rash type thing. I do agree with the other poster to talk to the Dr. and let him/her know what happened. It is something to keep an eye on. He may or may not agree that the formula may have caused an allergic response...not all believe in that possibility.

Allergies come in many forms - and can often come out of the blue. Something you have always been able to eat just fine suddenly makes you very ill - happens to people all the time. :) Allergic responses are one of my specialties... :)

Re: having a cold and breastfeeding causing a rash? No. :) In fact, if you have a cold you really need to continue to breastfeed to provide your son with the specific antibodies/immnities your breastmilk has already started making to protect him from this virus.

The things to ask are: Was the rash there when you left? Was it there when you got back? If the answers are 'No' and then "Yes" you know that the formula is a possibility and the breastfeeding is not.

Bottom line - don't worry - just keep an eye - continue to breastfeed and talk to the Dr. If you have questions you are welcome to call me anytime at ###-###-#### (my office number). Or come to my Breastfeeding Mom's Group (call for details) it is on Monday's from 12-2...

Hope this helps...

Warmly,
J. Simpson, IBCLC, CIIM