Sick 8 Month Old Baby Girl, Help!

Updated on August 27, 2011
A.D. asks from Urbana, OH
14 answers

My 8 month old daughter Layla cannot tolerate any kind of formula, so I strictly breastfeed her and feed her baby food, just straight vegetables and fruits. Well once before I gave her gerber fruit smoothies baby food thinking she would enjoy it, and about 1-2 hours after eating it she got violently sick, vomiting everywhere like she would when she would drink formula. After a few vomiting fits, she becomes very lethargic and goes to sleep. Its extremely scary to watch and ive taken her to the ER several times when she was really young and would do this and they made me feel stupid for even coming, like i was over reacting.. Ive talked to her pediatrician about the possibility of lactose intolerance because the smoothie had something from cowsmilk in it and so does formula, but he didnt really seem convinced that was it and never gave me an answer. Ive let her suck on a sugar cookie. she got sick. I mixed a little tiny bit of whole milk in w/ her rice cereal, she got sick. She had a tiny taste of a sauce with cheese in it, she got sick. I feel like I cant let her experiment and try new things with out her getting violently sick and lethargic.. Its driving me crazy because she is at the age where its fun to let them try new foods and I just want to know whats wrong with her!!! hoepfully soemeone reads this long mess and has some advice!

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S.B.

answers from San Diego on

Sounds like you need a new Pedi. You can have her tested for allergies and intolerance's--tell them to do it!... I would definitely look for a new doc. Good luck!

5 moms found this helpful

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B..

answers from Dallas on

As someone with food allergies, I can tell you primary care physicians are NOT well versed in allergies. They are not trained well for them, and many doctors roll their eyes at allergies. It seems to me, that milk is a common theme. Honestly, I think you should get your little one to an allergist, and see if that could be the culprit.

6 moms found this helpful

E.S.

answers from Dayton on

Yes, it does sound like you need a new Dr.. A specialist even.
In the meantime, all she needs is your milk. It may be "fun" to try new things-but not if it makes you sick.
Have you cut dairy completely out of your diet? Just curious.

I would hold off on introducing her to anything new until you get some answers. There will be plenty of time to experiment later.

Best wishes!

4 moms found this helpful

A.H.

answers from Portland on

It seems the common evil is milk... or sugar, but I don't know if sugar affects people like that. I would take her to an allergy specialist. Maybe you should just move somewhere else, I'm just kidding but I was just taken back how the ER made you feel stupid and your pediatrician is basically doing the same thing. I think it is an ER situation when your child is violently sick and becomes suddenly tired, usually they warn of that stuff for the ER. Usually they should rehydrate her and watch her and care about y'all.
Anyways, I would look for an allergy specialist and see what they can do. Maybe they will tell you just based on your description. Google it and see what comes up. I know it's not doctor certified but google can come up with some helpful things.

And I agree with Laurie A. You know your daughter best. My friend literally saved her daughter's life after her cancer was gone b/c the scarring started getting way too big internally and she noticed a slight difference in her daughter's behavior, she had to fight for months and scream at the doctor finally for them to do anything... saved her life.

3 moms found this helpful
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J.R.

answers from Miami on

Hi A.,
Congratulations on deciding to breastfeed your baby.
That is so great and you are giving her a great start...

I think it is great you want to slowly start her on solids. At the time, I was advised to start with fresh mashed simple veggies and fruits as follows:
1. a bit of mashed banana.
2. a bit of mashed potato
3. a bit of mashed sweet potato
4. a bit of rice cereal or cornmeal cereal...
5. a bit of mashed apple or pear sauce
6. a bit of zucchini
7. a bit of avocado...

Try one thing at a time over a day or two. Don't rush. Let her touch, feel, taste.
I would stay away from any cow'smilk products at this time or any non-simple foods. It took my son a while til he enjoyed food (until 12 months) but as he and your little one is breastfeeding, I was not concerned. He is now 3, loves food and is thriving.

Dr. Sear's website has some great advice on what foods to start out with and going slwly.

Hope this helps.

3 moms found this helpful

K.*.

answers from Los Angeles on

Poor baby. You got some great advice from the other moms. But, I wanted to share with you that my kids have food allergies and intolerances. Clearly, your daughter is experiencing one or the other. Shame on her Pediatrician for ignoring your valid concerns, what a jerk. With my daughter I went to a GI Ped for milk intolerance and special formula recommendation (Neocate) and a series of visits for stool testing that showed her system wasn't agreeing w/milk because there was blood in her stool. With my son, he has severe nut allergies (along with other moderate allergies) and I took him straight to a Ped Allergist and didn't deal with his regular Ped. It's so much easier if you have a PPO and can go straight there, otherwise good luck with the Ped!

3 moms found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

It does sound like dairy is not her friend..

Here is what I have learned as a mom. Doctors do not know everything. We spend more time with our children than anyone else. Follow your mommy heart and brain..

And so, right now, just let her rest. Record the information somewhere with what she ate and how long after she became ill. List the ingredients or cut the ingredients off of the packaging and keep this all together,. This way at her next appointment you can take the documentation with you.

If she does not have a fever and does breast fed and eat tomorrow, she is probably fine.

Just be very aware about what you feed her.
It is going to be just fine.

3 moms found this helpful

M.Q.

answers from Detroit on

Hi A. ~ It definitely sounds like milk is the problem. I have a daughter who was diagnosed w/anaphylaxis to dairy & dairy derivatives around the same age as your daughter please be very careful because if milk truly is the problem the more you introduce it to her the more she may react to it anaphylaxis can lead to death. I don't want to scare you but please seek a second opinion food allergies are very serious. In the mean time I would definitely avoid any milk/dairy/dairy derivatives since you are also breastfeeding cutting the dairy from your diet wouldn't be a bad idea.
here is a list of dairy/derivatives ....other names for dairy
Lactose (milk sugar) intolerance is the most common form of milk allergy or adverse reaction to cow, goat and sheep's milk. Lactose needs to be broken down by an enzyme called lactase to be absorbed in the body, but some people do not produce enough lactase for this to happen. The digestive system cannot cope with raw lactose, so it reacts against it with symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, vomiting and diarrhea.
For others a milk allergy is a reaction to milk proteins such as casein that can be very difficult for humans to digest. Alternatively, the digestive system may not be functioning correctly and partially digested proteins may be crossing the stomach wall and causing an adverse immune reaction, contributing to a host of symptoms, and/or aggravating others.
If you see any of the following items listed as an ingredient in a food, it will not be milk-free:
Butters: artificial butter, artificial butter flavor, butter, butter extract, butter fat, butter flavored oil, butter solids, dairy butter, natural butter, natural butter flavor, whipped butter
Casein & caseinates: ammonium caseinate, calcium caseinate, magnesium caseinate, potassium caseinate, sodium caseinate, hydrolyzed casein, iron caseinate, zinc caseinate
Cheese: cheese (all types), cheese flavor (artificial and natural), cheese food, cottage cheese, cream cheese, imitation cheese, vegetarian cheeses with casein
Cream, whipped cream
Curds
Custard
Dairy product solids
Galactose
Ghee
Half & Half
Hydrolysates: casein hydrolysate, milk protein hydrolysate, protein hydrolysate, whey hydrolysate, whey protein hydrolysate
Ice cream, ice milk, sherbet
Lactalbumin, lactalbumin phosphate
Lactate solids
Lactyc yeast
Lactitol monohydrate
Lactoglobulin
Lactose
Lactulose
Milk: Acidophilus milk, buttermilk, buttermilk blend, buttermilk solids, cultured milk, condensed milk, dried milk, dry milk solids (DMS), evaporated milk, fat-free milk, fully cream milk powder, goat’s milk, low-fat milk, malted milk, milk derivative, milk powder, milk protein, milk solids, milk solid pastes, non-fat dry milk, non-fat milk, non-fat milk solids, pasteurized milk, powdered milk, sheep’s milk, skim milk, skim milk powder, sour milk, sour milk solids, sweet cream buttermilk powder, sweetened condensed milk, sweetened condensed skim milk, whole milk, 1% milk, 2% milk.
Milk fat, anhydrous milk fat
Nisin preparation
Nougat
Pudding
Quark
Recaldent
Renned, rennet casein
Simplesse (fat replacer)
Sour cream, sour cream solids, imitation sour cream
Whey: Acid whey, cured whey, delactosed whey, demineralized whey, hydrolyzed whey, powdered whey, reduced mineral whey, sweet dairy whey, whey, whey protein, whey protein concentrate, whey powder, whey solids
Yogurt (regular or frozen), yogurt powder
Possible sources of milk:
Natural flavoring
Flavoring
Caramel flavoring
High protein flour
Lactic acid (usually not a problem)
Lactic acid starter culture
"Non-dairy" products may contain casein.
Rice cheese
Soy cheese
Also avoid products that have an advisory label that indicates that the product MAY contain milk or that is processed on shared equipment.

3 moms found this helpful
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D.S.

answers from New York on

Please get a second opinion. If it is an anaphylaxis allergy to milk it can be very dangerous. I have a newly enrolled three year old at my childcare center with a serious milk allergy. I have an epi pen in case he ingests anything with milk in it. SOOO Many foods have milk in it, you would be surprised, and if she is having that bad of a reaction to such small amounts I wouldn't mess around with it. One other thought is a gluten allergy (allergy to wheat), that also has a reaction with vomiting, and again gluten is in so much. This could be why she can tolerate rice and not the cookie, wheat is in sooooo much. I think you need to make an appointment with a pediatric allergist and go from there. I HATE when doctors dismiss a mothers concern. Just because we do not have medical degrees we know our babies and we know when something isn't right. That would drive me crazy if my doctor didn't hear me. Get a second opinion. It obviously is some type of reaction if she is fine with your milk, and veggies and fruits. I know how scary it can be when your little one gets sick. FYI the supermarkets have tons of stuff that are gluten free fortunately so if it is the case then it won't be as difficult to feed her. Good luck!1

3 moms found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from Portland on

If you want to try new things, then try something made from goat or sheep's milk. Many people can tolerate these when they can't the cow milk stuff. It sounds really bad, and I would see an allergist. My daughter couldn't do any dairy until about the time she turned one and then she flipped a switch and now she is fine. I am hoping my 4 month old will do the same thing since he is sensitive too, but they are not at the same degree as you are describing. Did you try the Alimentum or Nutrimingen formula? I had to use the alimentum because my little guy was even allergic to my breastmilk. I would see a doc and good luck!!

1 mom found this helpful
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3.B.

answers from Cleveland on

You know your baby better then your Dr. She very well may be very lactose intolerant. But, do you consume dairy? If you do and she can breastfeed, that may not be it.

My 11 month old seems to be lactose intolerant, but not as extreme as your baby. He can drink the gentle ease formula, but if I give him yogurt, or regular formula he spits up alot and gets bad diarrhea. Instead of transitioning him to cows milk, I've been giving him rice milk and he's doing great on that.

If your ped. is blowing you off, I'd find a new one. She may need some allergy screening or testing. In the meantime, avoid anything that has made her sick and could be a culprit. good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.D.

answers from Cincinnati on

It sounds like she has food allergies to dairy products or is lactose intolerant. Stop giving those to her. You can experiment with other kinds of foods. If your gut is saying Lactose Intolerance then your probably right. I would find another doctor that listens and treats you with respect.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.F.

answers from Columbus on

I think you should pursue the possiblity she has food allergies - esp. to dairy. In the meantime, remove all dairy from her diet and see what happens. Did you try any of the non dairy formulas? We used all non dairy formulas and I believe it was called isomil (its been a long time since I used formula) I would take her to an allergist for testing -even if the pediatrician says its not necessary.

1 mom found this helpful
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H.D.

answers from Cleveland on

1) It is NOT stupid that you took your daughter to the ER, the people who made you feel that way are not very nice.
2) You may need a new pediatrician. I understand that allergies may not be their specialty, but you should not be dismissed ~ you have a valid concern!
3) I'm not a dr but it sounds like a milk allergy & as others said, I'd find a new dr. for your daughter, and ask for a recommendation for an allergist. Sometimes allergists can take FOREVER to get an appt. with, if there is a recommendation from a dr. usually you can get in quicker. This is not something to fool around with, your daughter can be in serious danger. You are doing all of the right things ~ taking her to the dr., the ER, asking for help.

1 mom found this helpful
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