[Hootabelles]

hi
As topic suggest my baby 10 month old has recently being diagnosed as anaphylactic to cow protein. We can not get an epi-pen as she is under the weight allowed to use the pen. She must be 9kgs. She has just hit 7 kgs this week:(
She was diagnosed by the allergist at the RCH 3 weeks ago and we have another appointment with her in 4 weeks. We will be checking for soy milk allergies and considering when to do a challenge.
I saw a dietician last week but she couldn't give me any other info about fatty foods to feed her that I didn't already know. I'm currently giving her coconut yoghurt, cooking things in coconut butter, lots of rice cereal with fruits etc but having trouble giving her anything else.
The moment food goes near her she is in tears and whimpering. She will not take her specialist formula in a bottle, though I have been trying for nearly 6 weeks EVERY day. I tend to put it in her cereal with oats and fruit to give her some minerals. I pretty much have to force it in to her though EVERY time.
She is starting to not be as active and becoming paler. I have her booked in with the gp for blood tests to check her iron levels and everything else to eliminate mineral deficiencies on Wednesday.

I am feeling so horrible as a mum that I cannot help her. Everyone freaks out when I tell them she is 10 months as 'she is so small'. Really, I didn't notice I know I shouldn't be upset as they don't mean it to be insulting but I do take it personally as I am failing her in some way.

Is/has anyone gone through this with their dairy free baby..any advice?? I would much appreciate anything as maybe I am missing something that could be helping her. She needs put on 2 kgs before we can get the epi pen

TIA

[unique_gem]

could you give her an iron supplement. If someone is low in iron then giving a supplement can stimulate their appetite.
Good luck

[bonnybabe]

What about avacado, u can mush it up and stick it in lots of stuff, or spoon it plain! Almond meal is another that u can put in baking, but bub might be a bit young for baked muffins, i cant remember.

What about lots of rice pudding with coconut cream?

[3_for_me]

What formula is she on? Depending on what the formula is there is possibly another you could try and there are also things you can add to help them taste better.

I thought avocado but is that on the list of things to avoid if there is a possible soy allergy? DS2 was allergic to soy and also reacted to avocado, I'm sure I heard about a connection...

[Hootabelles]

thanks guys..no avocado is she spits it out and have tried it in everything.
Actually had spoken to chemist about 3 hours ago about incremin ?sp iron supplement so will go get some now.
Poor love eats rice and almond meal...mind you her feeds are about a maximum of 2 tablespoons each feed. Driving me nuts. She is crying and screaming the whole time. Dietician has said not to force her as she will have a negative attitude towards her food....umm too late:( Didn't need to force her to get to that point of negativity. I seriously don't understand how she is not starving. i am breastfeeding her as well btw.

[Liadan]

Which protein is she allergic to? There are two proteins in cow milk, A1 is the common protein, and that is what is in "normal" milk, and is one that a lot of people have issues with. Then you have the A2 protein, which people are less likely to have problems with.

Would it be worth asking them which one they tested for?

One of the things I was told, was "food is fun before one".

I know this is frowned upon by some (and not something I like), but have you tried adding something to her formula to improve the taste? Something as simple as a small amount of sugar might work.

Good luck, I hope you find an answer soon.

[imamumto3]

can the dietician perscribe a medical formula (neocate or elecare) to help her put on weight. DD is on elecare, it has helped, although she does not like the flavour so I have to disguise it

eta: just read your post properly where you say she wont drink the formula. I have to disguise it in meals, ice blocks & custards to get dd to have it

This post has been edited by imamumto3: 02/04/2012, 04:59 PM

[SarahM72]

Rice cereal with fruits I wouldn't think was very fattening. As a PP suggested maybe rice pudding with coconut cream would be more fattening.

But can your baby eat meat, except for beef? Maybe try meat, I think it is okay to eat meat from 10 months old - I gave it to my kids from 6 months, but of course that is just me. But if you are comfortable and okay with meat, maybe try things like minced meat (lamb if she can't eat beef), fried in oil, or made into patties that she can hold and eat herself. This might be a good idea especially as you think she might be low on iron.

This post has been edited by SarahM72: 02/04/2012, 04:27 PM

[kim11]

I saw this in recent topics. I didn't have anything food wise to add but wanted to say it sounds like you are doing everything you can to help her. Don't force her too much with food if it makes her upset. Give her the things you know she will eat and try as often as possible to get the formula in to her. I hope they sort it out soon and you can enjoy her and not just worry about getting the next meal into her. Be easy on yourself.

[3_for_me]

I would give her plenty of opportunities to feed herself and play with her food, load her highchair up with things you think she may like and let her have at it with her hands and once you find she is favouring one thing try getting a few extra spoonfulls into it as she plays.