Hello All,

I would like to add my experiences to the discussion of milk allergies. I
have 3 children all were BF (#1 & #2 until 11mos and #3 still going strong)

Baby #1- long labour, pitocin drip and rupture of membranes to speed up
slow labour, epidural and forcep delivery. Born at 6:10 pm . 1st attempt to
BF at 9:30 pm. Couldn't get baby to latch at all even with nurses help.
They had already given him a BOTTLE of ABM (without my knowledge) because
he was 9lbs 7oz and had low blood sugar. Next attempt to BF next morning at
8am. They did not bring him to me all night and being a 1st time mom I did
not realize what this meant( Not establishing supply, baby getting bottles
all night long!, nipple confusion big time!!!) We had a horrendous time
establishing a solid BF relationship, but we did.

However I digress, this baby was fussy and alert, wanting to nurse alot and
once milk let down would howl. I know now this was probably overactive
letdown and foremilk/hindmilk imbalance. ( Although I wonder if this
fussines would have disappeared if I cut out milk, but no one ever
suggested it and I didn't realize it night be the cause of the problem) At
9 mos he was diagnosed with a milk allergy. He would get hives and rash
from dairy in his diet. At age 8 he is still allergic to milk. I believe
the hospital caused his allergy by giving ABM to a child with a family
history of milk allergy.(My sister and cousin were both allergic to milk as
children)

Baby #2- reg. length labour, membranes ruptured spontaneously, natural
delivery. Born at 6:04 am, 8lbs 6oz. 1st BF around 8 am as there was
mecconium in the waters and baby was grunting when breathing. She was in an
isolette until her breathing stabilized. Latched on like a pro. At around 2
weeks old she started having reflux and colic. I cut milk out of my diet
when she was about 1 month old and colic and reflux both disappeared. She
is now 5 1/2 yo and can have dairy (although I think it might be causing
her constant sniffles and I am trying her off dairy to see if it makes a
difference)

Baby #3- reg length induced labour, artificial rupture of membranes,
natural delivery. Born at 4:42 pm, 10lbs 3oz . 1st BF around 4:55!!!
Latched on like a pro. Had reflux and colic which again disappeared when I
cut milk out of my diet. Is 14 months old now and can have dairy.

If there ever is a Baby #4 I will cut dairy out of my diet pre-pregnancy
and I believe the chances of this baby having colic or reflux will be
greatly lowered if not nil. I am beginning to believe that humans should
not consume dairy and am looking forward to hearing other's views on this
issue.

Janine Smallman
Postpartum Doula

Hensall, Ontario,
Canada
Wife of Jeff since June 1988,
Mom to Jonathan (January 26, 1990),
        Bethany (June 17, 1992)
    and Andrew (November 20, 1996)