>From:    "Valerie W. McClain" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: allergies and breastfeeding
>
>Why would one stop breastfeeding, when the problem occurred at the
>introduction of food?  Or is there missing information here?  Was the infant having
>problems prior to the introduction of food?
>
>I believe this mother should look at the ingredients of Neocate.  Since it is
>stated that corn is one of the baby's allergies, I would think Neocate would
>be counter-indicated.  Corn is a major ingredient in this infant formula.
>. . .I do recognize that it may seem overwhelming to the
>mother to be on a careful diet.  But the use of man-made infant formula to
>resolve allergies often jettisons a health problem into a health crisis (from the
>"frying pan into the fire")
>Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC
>
>
>
I always encourage my mothers to breastfeed when they and theirs have
food allergies.  It is more likely that she will pass on the antigens
(IgEs) than the allergens, i.e. proteins.  Milk was a problem for me,
having been raised in WI with the neighborhood cheese factories and the
family dairy farm, it was a surprise my baby got colic from my drinking
milk.  I could still eat cheese and yogurt because the proteins are
altered by enzymes and probiotics.  Atopic reactions with minimal
exposure to an allergen will very quickly lead to a severe *histamine*
reaction--breathing, rash, hives, swelling, etc.

I would recommend eliminating the foods with a high RAST number from the
mom's diet and get the environment checked for a chemical stressor.
 Babies DON'T have allergies at this early age unless they are being
severely stressed by something else, NOT the breastmilk.  I'm surprised
the allergist even did a RAST on such a young baby who hasn't consumed
enough solids to have so much allergies.  Although he probably got the
mom worried about her breastmilk, obviously.  I have problems getting
the allergists to test kids under 18 months old for food allergies, and
we just do the elimination diet until the child gets seen by the
allergist, then the RAST just confirms what we already knew, plus the
enviromental allergies, including dust mites.  I have tips for many food
allergies, plus check out the website:

> Welcome to The Food Allergy Network <http://www.foodallergy.org/>

Don't blame Neocate, it helps many distressed babies who were not or
aren't breastfed.  I try my best not to should my moms.  They feel
guilty enough without my finger in their face, too.

Diana M. Miller MPH, RD
Pediatric Nutritionist
NC USA


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