When I welcomed my first daughter, Lily, into the world, she was diagnosed with gastrointestinal protein allergies. This meant I had to eliminate dairy and soy from my diet for an entire year while breastfeeding her. Fast forward to my second pregnancy, and I jokingly thought the odds of facing dietary restrictions again were slim. I imagined indulging in takeout, tossing a pizza in the oven, and enjoying all the freezer meals I had prepped during my last trimester to ease the newborn phase.
For the first three months after my second daughter, Mia, was born, life was blissful. She was an excellent baby, sleeping well and hardly crying. I reveled in the freedom of breastfeeding without dietary limits. However, everything changed when Mia turned three months old. Those dry patches of eczema I had been trying to treat morphed into a more severe condition, covering her body, face, and even her eyes. In a matter of weeks, it felt like I had a different baby—she was constantly swaddled to prevent scratching and was in and out of the doctor’s office weekly.
As a mom blogger, I had access to countless tips from my readers on managing eczema, and I spent a small fortune on various creams and ointments. Yet, despite all my efforts, nothing seemed to work. A quick search online led me to a concerning realization: many food allergies in infants manifest as severe eczema.
Our allergist confirmed my fears, indicating that Mia likely had food allergies due to the severity of her skin condition. A full allergy panel revealed she was allergic to dairy, eggs, peanuts, fish, and tree nuts. Unlike her sister Lily’s allergies, Mia’s reactions stemmed from her immune system. You can read more about our journey with eczema and food allergies here.
Receiving the diagnosis brought a mix of relief and anxiety. At least I finally knew what was causing her discomfort, but I understood that this was just the beginning of my journey as an allergy mom. Once I removed the allergens from my diet, Mia’s skin began to improve significantly, which was a huge relief. Still, I often grapple with guilt about my dietary restrictions and the challenges of her food allergies, particularly since they can be life-threatening and lead to anaphylactic reactions. As someone who tends to be anxious, this situation can be quite overwhelming.
In the months that have followed, I’ve adapted to this new allergen-free diet. While it’s been challenging, I’m learning to navigate my way through it. If you’re also considering starting a family, you might find resources like this excellent guide on female infertility helpful. Also, if you’re thinking about at-home insemination, check out Make a Mom, the top provider in that space.
In summary, my breastfeeding journey with a baby who has food allergies has been a mix of challenges and triumphs. While the road has had its ups and downs, I’ve found a way to make it work for both Mia and me, and I’m continually learning and adapting.
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