Actually, I’m not.
But it feels like it.
Here’s the thing though, I’ve been dairy free for a little over a month (I think) now. As hard as it was in the beginning, it has now become normal for me. I don’t look longingly at cheese anymore. I don’t miss milk or ice cream or yogurt anymore. I’ve become adept at recognizing the hidden milk names in the ingredient lists and am starting to know which products are safe to eat. Instead of looking at what I can’t eat, I look at what I can eat. And there is PLENTY that I can still eat.
However, I wonder when I will be eating dairy again. You see, as you can imagine, I’ve been reading a lot on food allergies since I first “diagnosed” my son when he was six months old (need I remind you that he hasn’t been officially diagnosed because our appointment with the allergist is at the end of October?) and there is a lot of research. Among this research there is – you guessed it! – contradicting information.
Some sources say to try again after a few weeks. Others say to do so after a couple months. I’ve also read to wait until the age of 1. And then there’s all of the other foods that I’ve opted not to try yet. This includes nuts and strawberries, to name a few. A part of me is afraid that he’s going to have a severe reaction but a part of me wants to try the foods out anyways. Although “common knowledge” dictates to wait until the child is 2 to introduce peanuts and tree nuts (some say to wait until the 4th birthday for kids who have allergies or who have parents with allergies) new research has revealed that the sooner you expose your child to a food, the less likely they are likely to develop an allergy to that food.
I was thinking of reintroducing dairy in my own diet first to see how my son reacts to it. If his eczema doesn’t come back and his stools stay nice and solid (I’m sure you’re all very happy to read about my son’s bowel movements haha), it would be a good sign that he’s on the right track to eating dairy himself.
What to do, what to do?
I’m reluctant to speak to our pediatrician about this. I’m also reluctant to reintroduce dairy in my own diet lest my son develop bad eczema again by his next appointment at the end of the month and she indirectly accuses me of being a bad mom again. Perhaps I should just wait and talk to the allergist about it at the end of October.
Thoughts?
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mommytrainingwheels 
Personally if youve seen a difference. Id stick with what your doing right now in in till you go to the appointment in oct. Then explain everything andbsee what they say.
I woukd tell your pedi.
There a lot of thing never told my pedi… she asked me to start solkds at 4months i agreed and never did. The next appointment she asked hows it going. I just really well. 😉 bejng judged as a bad parent is the worst just because your doing what you know and think is best for YOUR child.
Thanks for the input. That’s pretty much what I had in mind.
It’s kind of sad that we have to keep things from our pediatricians, isn’t it. you’d think that they would be understanding that there isn’t just ONE way to go about parenting.
Oh yes. I wanted to EBF for 6 months.. I pretty much did, I introduced baby rice at 5 months but it wasn’t every day. then slowly at 6 months I did fruits and veggies.
Crazy polish culture all they do is feed kids soup.
All the doctor kept asking was is he eating soup yet?
Soup! Really? Wow, it’s funny how things are so different from one country to another. So interesting! I wonder what is recommended elsewhere around the world.
I would stick with what you are doing. It is crazy that you have to wait so long for an appointment!
😦
That’s pretty much what I was planning on. Thank you for your input. I’m just eager to find out where we stand with regards to allergies.
Hey I’m sure we’ve probably chatted about the dairy thing before but don’t just focus on lactose intolerance. Also ask about the A1 protein as that’s what it was for my son. I had a Dr friend when my son was little and she told me about the new research so I tried most things before 1 without issue. In fact, eggs have been my saviour for a dairy free little one! The only things I held off on were things that were known to irritate eczema (strawberries is one I definitely remember). Since identifying that dairy was the issue I’ve mainly avoided it but let him have snacks at parties etc (it’s really difficult to police if not – kids steal food off each other etc). I find he has no real outbreak when there is a little bit here and there but his skin starts to change if this happens too many days in a row. I also don’t go much for pure dairy products – so rarely cheese or cream for example. If you are seeing a difference and the eczema has eased then I would stick to what you are doing as it is WORKING. And that’s the most important thing. No harm is coming to your child through your choices. Just remember that.
I totally forgot to go and check out your blog when you first mentioned it two months ago *facepalm*! I’ll be sure to ask about the A1 protein, thank you!
Unfortunately, with regards to eggs, they are a no-go for my son as well. I sure hope that he’ll grow out of these allergies. It’s a bummer as neither his father or myself have any food allergies.
I’ve been cautiously trying new things, but I am soooo afraid of things like nuts, especially given that our pediatrician did not want to write a script for an epipen. At the same time, I don’t want to put him at risk of developing an allergy to nuts because I waited too long. *Sigh* why is parenting so confusing?
With regards to the eczema, you’re right, I really should stick to what I am doing as it definitely is working right now.
The appointment with the allergist can’t come soon enough…
Bummer about the eggs. When you have two things knocked out already it def makes, it scarier to, try something else. I’d just lay off the nuts until you see the allergist maybe? Go with your gut!!!
My son had terrible eczema throughout his first year and even when I spoke to my pediatrician, who I respect completely, she didn’t think it was a dairy allergy so I never went off of dairy while nursing. However, I did put switch him to soy milk after stopping at 13 months. No real change, so I got him back on cow’s milk. Still though, after he turned 1, a good portion of his eczema cleared up…in particular the really bad spots on his cheeks. He still has bad spots on his ankle and occasional flare up on his elbow or legs. He just turned 2 and I’m hoping he grows out of it over the years. In the meantime, it’s still just lots of cortisone and Aquaphor daily. Good luck!
Thanks for sharing this with me. I suppose some people are just more prone to eczema.
For us, dairy definitely does seem to be a major issue, except that he does have flare-up especially when it becomes hot and humid out and when he is teething.
I hope your little guy grows out of it too!