I do have permission to post the following breastfeeding problem:

I am working with a mother whose 9-month-old is extremely allergic.  I have permission to post her story.



When the mother first introduced solids at around 4 months of age, the baby's face broke out in a rash and the baby developed eczema.  She was advised to stop solids and go back to exclusive breastfeeding.  When she started solids again, baby exhibited allergic symptoms in response to many foods.  The mother has also had allergic responses to many foods; and, if my memory serves me correctly, the father also has food allergies.

 About 2 weeks ago the mother allowed the baby to have one bite of one cracker (wheat-based).  The child vomited repeatedly, broke out in hives, and began having difficulty breathing.  Baby was taken to emergency room, treated and released.



RAST allergy testing was just done.  The test shows baby is allergic to eggs, oats, milk, barley, wheat, soy, potatoes, peanuts, peas, crab, pork, beef, corn, banana, and apple.  Infant is marginally allergic to tuna and one other fish I can't remember.  Turkey and plum tests are still pending.  Infant is not allergic to tomato, strawberries, carrots, orange, chicken or peaches.  Mother states test showed pears were OK, but infant had rash on lips and around mouth with first exposure to pears; and she does not feel there is a chance the reaction was due to something else.

The mother has herself had allergic reactions to foods including brown rice, though she states she can eat white rice.

The mother lost 10 pounds in a week trying to avoid all foods to which the baby might be allergic (and before the allergy testing).  She desperately wants to breastfeed and cannot imagine how she could comfort her child or put the child to sleep without nursing.  However, she is afraid that she will hurt the child if she breastfeeds and passes on an allergen.  I just reviewed with her the many physiologic benefits of continued breastfeeding.

She has talked with a public health dietitian, who stated milk and peanuts were the proteins most likely to be passed through the breast milk that could cause major problems. I have strongly advised the mother to continue breastfeeding (or at the least to maintain her milk supply if she and the child's physician choose to temporarily start a hypoallergenic formula such as Neocate), but to avoid all milk and peanut protein and to rotate foods in her diet.  



This situation is way beyond my expertise.  Her most important question is, "Is it safe to continue breastfeeding?"  She also needs guidance on what she can eat.  If anyone knows a dietitian or other health professional in Phoenix, preferably northwest valley, who could help this mother plan meals for herself and her baby, please let me know.  Her allergist seems to be supportive of breastfeeding, but not accustomed to working with a couplet who would like to continue nursing beyond a year of age.



Any help you can give me in guiding this beautiful nursing couplet would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much for your combined wisdom.





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