Lynn,
Unfortunately, there is some research support for temporary feeding of
elemental formula in *extremely* allergic babies when a maternal
elimination diet does not work.  Mom should be counselled to continue
pumping to maintain her milk supply, and breastfeeding reinstated after
a week or two.  This is usually enough to get the severely allergic baby
"over the hump" in my experience.

The doctors need to be very careful that they are not missing a case of
cystic fibrosis, which is sometimes confused with protein losing
enteropathy in breastfed babies with no/slow weight gain.  And the moms
should certainly see an LC first to see if maximizing the breastfeeding
will help the baby gain weight.

We all want to see breastfeeding work for every mom and baby, but in the
real world there are relatively rare cases where breastfeeding is not
possible or appropriate.
--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  New York City  mailto:[log in to unmask]

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