Our story began with the birth of our first child, Amber. I had decided to breastfeed, but an under-educated hospital nurse suggested giving Amber formula, since her nose was stuffed up and we were concerned she wasn't getting anything (with time and experience, I now know that the colostrum in the early days of nursing is all a baby needs). So, with a tiny cup placed to her lips, my daughter had her first cow's milk. I didn't try very hard to get her to take it, and if she swallowed any, it was only a drop, but probably enough.
Amber became extremely colicky when we brought her home. Her sleep habits were very poor, with frequent night-waking (common in the early weeks of life generally, but also attributable to food allergies). Her stools were very liquid and frequent. I approached two different doctors, asking for help, and was condescendingly asked, “is this your first child?” and then told, “babies cry you know.” Nobody took me seriously, until we had a 'real' symptom to describe at 8 months of age when she developed angioedema from a taste of yogurt. Several months later, Amber had her first (direct, meaning not through my breast milk) taste of scrambled eggs. It resulted in her forcefully spitting them out (a common reaction by infants/toddlers to food allergens), and then developing swollen lips.
I was slowly learning to become my baby's advocate. It's very difficult though when you are dealing with doctors who have little knowledge of breastfeeding and allergies. Fortunately, I had recently seen an allergy-related news story that spoke of a cutting edge clinic in Vancouver, BC (near where we lived). I told my doctor I wanted a referral there, and after some hesitation, she gave in. Around the time my daughter turned one, I had the first appointment at The Allergy Nutrition and Research Clinic, run by Dr. Janice Vickerstaff-Jonega, author of the first comprehensive book on the diagnosis and management of food allergies. I now feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend such a clinic, since I was given information that guided me through those very difficult early days of removing all traces of Amber's allergens from my diet. They have a pediatric dietitian on staff who was instrumental in assisting me in the management of Amber's food allergies.
I continued to breastfeed Amber, while modifying my diet to make it completely free of milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and seafood. She no longer nurses now, but was an extended nurser for some time. I strongly advocate breastfeeding with a modified diet.
Today, Amber is 6 years old, and sadly, continues to be allergic (anaphylactic) to both milk and eggs. The past 6 years have been an education and have seen me spend many hours researching food allergies. My hope is to pass this information along to others, to make the journey less stressful and less lonely. Please read through the pages provided here, and remember, while it seems very lonely to be the parent of child with food allergies, you are not alone in what you are experiencing.
Amber has a 3 year old sister, Katie. Katie is still breastfed, although I no longer restrict my diet. Although Katie was skin tested early in 2002, she did not test positive for anything. She was diagnosed 'milk protein intolerant' because although she didn't test positive for milk, she has severe mucous-filled diarrhea when she has been exposed to casein. I feel very strongly that breastfeeding her, and delaying her exposure to these significant allergens (until she turned 3) has played a key role in allergy prevention.
