This post was written as part of The Breastfeeding Cafe's Carnival. For more info on the Breastfeeding Cafe, go to www.breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com. For more info on the Carnival or if you want to participate, contact Claire at clindstrom2 {at} gmail {dot} com. Today's post is about nursing in special circumstances. Please read the other blogs in today's carnival listed below and check back for more posts July 18th through the 31st!
When I was younger, my Dr. told me that wheat and dairy are the two things most babies are sensitive to and have the hardest time digesting. That has always stuck with me. Little did I know that down the road it would be true for my son.
Around two weeks of age, Goober Pie started getting fussy. Especially in the mornings and afternoons. It was his pain cry. He was in pain. He was extremely gassy and slightly constipated. His tummy hurt. I knew I didn't want to keep giving him Gripe Water everyday (even though it wouldn't have hurt him), instead I wanted to fix the issue. And that issue was dairy. Since I was breastfeeding, every time I ate dairy, he got fussy. And I was able to rule it out as the culprit. So, grudgingly I went off dairy. I didn't eat a ton, but enough that it was a problem. We saw instant results. No more fussy, gassy baby! Sure, I missed cheese and yogurt, but having a happy baby with no digestive issues was so much more important to me! Sometimes I'd forget not to eat dairy. It was a complete lifestyle change, but one that has been so worthwhile. Goober Pie and I have now been dairy free for over a year. And I love it. I'm not a big fan of anything dairy now. It causes me digestive problems and it just disgusts me to the point of nausea. And I have a happy babe who can enjoy his Mommy's Milk without getting gassy or constipated from dairy.
Around six months of life, Goober Pie developed a strange rash on his back. When we went for his six month checkup I asked the Dr. what it was. He informed me it was eczema. It wasn't bad, but it was bad enough to me to see it on his skin. Our pediatrician at the time suggested Hydrocortisone cream and an anti-itch medicine. I had both filled but had definite concerns about using them. I lean heavily towards being crunchy and against a lot of traditional medicines, so I knew I wanted to explore my options for treatment. I talked to a couple of friends, they both told me the Hydrocortisone would just clear the surface of the skin, but that the problem would still exist under the skin. They told me to try Coconut Oil and also Probiotics dissolved in water. I tried both. I tried various other lotions and potions and NOTHING was working. He was on an all natural laundry detergent. So it couldn't be an allergic reaction... And the eczema was spreading onto his arms and tummy. I had to do something. My Mother mentioned if I had tried going off of wheat. That it was the likely cause of my son's eczema. I said no, but that I was desperate and ready to try it. So I went off all things wheat. Within TWO days (NO JOKE!) Goober Pie's skin was almost completely clear!!! Wow. So he had a gluten intolerance too. That one has been a little more difficult to deal with. Thankfully, obtaining gluten free items is not near as hard as it used to be. And I gladly let me son's food intolerance's dictate what my diet needs to be. Especially since I'm still breastfeeding him. It's important that he gets the nourishment he needs from me without having any issues regarding his sensitivities. A lot of people don't understand what it's like to have food restrictions. So we have to be very careful and watch what we eat when we're not at home. But he's a happy, healthy 13 month old and I plan to continue to stay as far away from all things wheat and dairy. When he's old enough, if he chooses to eat those things, that will be fine with me! I'm just glad we figured out his sensitivities out in a timely manner. And I'm thankful that there are so many options for people with food intolerances!
Here are more posts by the Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival participants! Check back because more will be added throughout the day.
- Sylko @ Chaotic Mama—Breastfeeding Carnival: Special Circumstances
- Whitney @ According To Waddlebug: The (Un)Balancing Act of Motherhood—Breastfeeding a Dairy & Gluten Sensitive Babe
- Lexi @ Life As A Mommy—Nursing in Pain
- Guest Poster Angela @ The Adventures of Lactating Girl—Breastfeeding Twins: What I Wish I'd Known
- Natasha @ naturalurbanmama—Nursing in Special Circumstances: Preemie, Pregnancy and a Pair of Nurslings
- Heather @ The Bee in Your Bonnet—Whole Nine Months
- Timbra @ Bosoms & Babes—Special Circumstance: NICU Nurses and Nursing
- And of course the guest poster on the Breastfeeding Cafe’s Blog today is Melissa Knighton—No Dairy, Eggs, Soy, Peanuts, or Tree Nuts
2 comments:
That's really interesting about the gluten causing eczema. I'll have to look into it for my husband.
My son had a wheat allergy as an infant too. He also had eczema. Luckily, he grew out of both of them and is able to enjoy wheat as a toddler. I'm so glad Goober Pie is better too. Maybe someday he will be okay with wheat and dairy. :)
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