Before my son was born, I was going to do everything right. Breastfeed for at least a  year-no formula at all. Vaccinate on schedule. Raise a happy, healthy boy. It's funny how things don't work out as you plan.

 

We had a difficult hard labor and my son was pulled out with forceps. We decided not to do the Hep B shot though because he had already been through so much. I figured that wasn't a problem. My husband and I don't use drugs or needles, so there was no reason my newborn baby needed this shot yet. We'd catch up later.

 

From day 1, my son didn't gain weight. At the 2 week checkup, he wasn't back to birth weight. At the 3 week checkup, he still wasn't back. I was in tears and struggling with the pain of breastfeeding. It was the most stressful time of my life! I didn't think I was going to be able to do it, and did not understand why he wasn't gaining weight. I put all the blame on myself.

 

After the 3 week checkup, I went to a lactation consultant. We started a month long grueling process of trying to make more milk. This included nursing him every 2 hours (even at night). He also had to stay on each side sucking for at least 20 minutes. Then, after this 40 minutes, I was to pump for another 10.

 

For anyone doing the math, this was pumping and nursing 10 hours a day. I can't even begin to tell how stressful and agonizing this was-and it went on for a month. It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life.

 

Guess what? He still wasn't gaining any weight and was falling further and further behind, and getting skinnier and skinnier. I was also on Reglan, eating oatmeal every morning, taking fenegeek, and drinking tons of water. I couldn't understand what the problem was and was SO frustrated.

 

After a week of no results, the lactation consultant had me give him formula through a little tube. Finally, after a month, he began gaining weight, but this was only with the help of the formula. However, it wasn't as much as it should have been, but at least he was gaining some. He was in the 3rd percentile for weight. We were going in to see her twice a week for weight checks.

 

About this time (4 weeks old), my son began crying non-stop. Great, he has colic I thought. It was weird for him to all of a sudden start this. To stop his crying, I just let him suck on me all day long. Then, a few days after we put him on the formula, he began getting weird patches on his head. They kept getting worse and his crying got worse and worse. He would not sleep. Soon, his whole head was covered in crusty and oozing. It was all over his face as well. He looked just hideous, and I couldn't understand what was wrong with my precious baby.  At this point, I didn't see the connection that this all started when I began giving him formula. I was just grateful he was gaining small amounts of weight.

 

So we finally see the doctor at his 2 month checkup. He looked terrible. Severe eczema she tells us. One of the worst cases she had ever seen. By the way, she says, eczema in babies is almost a sure sign of food allergies. But where had food allergies come from? Neither my husband or I have any food allergies and NO ONE in the family has any!!  She tells me to cut out dairy, eggs, soy, wheat, nuts, and fish from my diet to see if things improve. Basically, I'm guessing what he's allergic too. So I try to take these things out of my diet, but he's still crying and the eczema is so bad. You know he's itching like crazy but can do nothing about it. His whole head is crusted.

 

We allow him to have the Polio, DTap, and HIB shot. I felt these were the most important and since we had just found out about his immune system problems, we didn't want to give him any. Luckily, no problems. Looking back I am SO glad I didn't have him get the Rotavirus, Hep B, or Prevnar. I didn't know the extent of his allergies at the time, and what if he had had a reaction to one of these? The doc wasn't too happy we didn't give him the remaining 3 shots, but I didn't yet have time to research, and didn't want to give too many. However, the doctor was not happy with me.

 

So now I'm starting my next new adventure. Trying to figure out what I can eat while breastfeeding. Now, we are supplementing with Nutramigen since we know milk could be bothering him. I didn't know where to start and didn't realize milk was in SO many products!! I cut out the obvious milk, yogurt and cheese but didn't think about milk being in bread, candy, soups, protein bars, etc.

 

Nathan's eczema improves a little. Looking back, it's most likely because we took him off milk based formula and put him on the Nutramigen. However, I did not like to look at the ingredients in that formula! Corn syrup and oil. How nutritious. But what could I do? I'd tried everything to make more milk and just didn't make enough.

 

At this point, we're taking Nathan to the doctor every 2 weeks for weight checks and checkups. He's still not gaining enough weight. He still has eczema. I'm still guessing what to take out of my diet.

 

At Nathan's 4 month checkup, we let him have the polio, HIB and DTap shots again. He hadn't had reactions last time, so I figured we were ok. At this point, I have done more research on vaccines, and was SO glad he didn't have the others.

 

The rotavirus has caused some serious problems in kids. The Prevnar vaccine sheet states that "kids with severe allergies need to discuss the shot with their doctor." However, the doctors couldn't tell me what this meant, so if they can't tell me what it means, he's not getting the shot. And why risk giving him the Hep B when he's not going to be in contact with Hep B. It's not worth a reaction.

 

During this checkup, the doctor does a blood draw to test my son's blood for the 21 most common food allergies (why they didn't do this 2 months ago, we don't know).  Two days later she calls me on the weekend to tell me his IgE level is the highest she's ever seen which means severe allergies. However, the only food that popped up as an allergy was peanuts. Fabulous. My son is now one of "those" kids that all parents hate because their kids are restricted on what they can bring to school because of kids like my son. How did this happen? Why us? Why my poor son? Is he even going to survive if he gets exposed to peanuts? 1% of kids have this allergy, and it's my son.

 

Isn't breastfeeding supposed to be the magic cure in preventing food allergies, eczema, and asthma? Well, it didn't work for me, and I think caused the problem. As I later found out, you can only have an allergy if you are exposed to the source. The ONLY place my newborn son would have gotten exposed to peanuts was through my milk or during pregnancy. So it is my fault. Now I'm going to have to spend the rest of my life being a helicopter parent just so he can survive.

 

At 4 months, we go to see an allergist. They tell me to put my son on Neocate hypoallergenic formula for a week. Pump to keep my milk supply. So I go and rent a Medela hospital grade pump, and spend another week from you know where pumping and giving my son the nastiest smelling stuff I've ever smelled. It smells like seaweed. However, I notice he stops crying as much, smiles a little more and his skin improves. We then put him on prednisone which clears up his skin. He looks so beautiful now with clear, perfect, smooth skin!! He starts smiling more because he's itching less.

 

However, there is no way I'm going to put my baby on formula because I'm stubborn and know that "breastmilk is best." I keep nursing while trying to keep dairy, eggs, soy, etc out of my diet. At his point, I know to keep nuts out and this is even a little difficult.

 

At about 5 1/2 months, we decide it's time for Nathan to begin eating some solid foods. He does fine with white rice cereal and oatmeal, so I buy some Beechnut brown rice cereal. I begin feeding it to him. All of a sudden he starts screaming!! He pops out in hives, and I see his throat swelling up. He is trying to breathe and having a hard time. I'm hysterical watching my baby not be able to breathe. I run and dial 911 while calling my allergist. Luckily my husband is home. He is a cop, so is alot better under these situations then me. The firefighters are there in 5 minutes. Luckily, Nathan was breathing ok by then and his hives were going away. He was throwing up though. The paramedics tell us he had an anaphylactic reaction. We take him to Holy Family Hospital where they tell us not to give him the rice again. Big help. I'm crying and shaking the whole time. We get him home, and return to the allergist the next day.

It turns out that the Brown rice cereal actually contained whey. Whey is a milk by product that is cheap and is used as a filler in a lot of foods. More and more foods are containing whey. Who knew rice would contain milk products?

 

Finally, (at 6 months), the allergist does a skin test. Turns out my baby boy is also allergic to milk products, eggs, and tree nuts. Plus the peanuts. We're in shock and don't know what to do. At least we know now. I begin cutting out all dairy and this time I have a list of things that mean "milk" in products. I also begin cutting out all eggs and all nuts.

 

In two days, my baby boy is like a new baby. The screaming stops. Many more smiles. He begins progressing better. He doesn't mind tummy time as much. I feel horrible that I caused him 6 months of pain and suffering. Everyone tells me it isn't my fault.

 

At his 6 month pediatrician checkup, he's still in the 3rd percentile, but things are improving. The only thing is that he isn't babbling that much, passing things from hand to hand, or putting things in his mouth. So the pediatrician says there is reason to worry and refers us to therapy.

 

We begin therapy. The physical therapist hopes the problems are because he spent 6 months crying and not working on his skills. She thinks he won't put things in his mouth because he has always associated things going in his mouth with pain. We begin to see her once a month.

 

Meanwhile, Nathan is finally starting to thrive. I'm giving him more formula, and more solid foods. I'm still breastfeeding, but not eating right for my own body.

 

Nathan finally begins to catch up. He starts babbling around 8 months. He began crawling at 9 months. A little late, but he started doing it.

 

When we went to his 9 month appointment ( a new pediatrician now because the old one didn't like my methods) this one too was not happy with me for not giving him all the shots. But she also couldn't explain why the Prevnar says to "discuss with doctor if your child has severe allergies).

 

Doing some vaccine research into some of his upcoming shots, I realize that we're going  to have problems. Both the MMR and the chicken pox have gelatin in them. Gelatin comes from beef. Many children who are allergic to milk are also allergic to beef. The MMR also is grown in chicken eggs. Nathan is allergic to chickens and I don't want to take that chance.

 

I ask my doctor if we can split up the MMR when the time comes. She says it's really hard to do and insurance won't cover it. Well, I will find a way. I'm going to check with the county health district.

 

My doctor doesn't seem to understand my concern. She thinks kids with allergies should have no problems being vaccinated. Only a few kids have reactions. You know what I think? These kids that have reactions probably have allergy problems!!!! My son is very sensitive to the environment, so it only makes SENSE that he would be a child that would have a reaction! Why doesn' t the doctor get that? Only 1-2% of kids have food allergies, so for 98% of parents this isn't a concern, but for me it is a HUGE concern! I've watched my son not be able to breathe, and I don't want to see that ever, ever again!!! Unfortunately, I probably will, but I don't want to think about that.

 

From now on, he is getting one shot at a time so I can monitor reactions. If he has a problem, I'll know exactly what shot it is. And he's getting the MMR in three separate shots. I don't care what it takes or how much money it costs us.

 

I find it interesting that the doctors tell me to be SO careful about introducing foods one at a time very slowly to Nathan to check for allergies. One of the pediatricians even told me to introduce a new food for 2 weeks before introducing a new one. Yet, I'm supposed to inject who knows how many things and possible allergens into my son? I don't know all of what is in those shots, and some contain gelatin and egg which could cause him serious problems. It just blows my mind that shots are ok to give..as many as 5 at a time, but foods you need to introduce very slowly. It makes no sense.

 

So, here's our shot list of what we're doing:

 

Polio: Did it, no problems-will continue to do it

 

DTap: Did it, so far no problems (and I've read kids can have problems with this one) and will continue to do it

 

HIB: Did it, luckily no problems-only going to do 3 shots

 

Chicken Pox: Not going to do it if possible. Every person I know had the chicken pox and survived. It has gelatin and I don't want to risk it. Maybe if he gets older and we have him tested for gelatin.

 

MMR: Am going to have it split up into three. Each shot given at a different appointment. Not risking the gelatin or egg in the shot

 

Prevnar: Not doing it. No doctor can tell me why "kids with severe allergies should talk with doctor."

 

Rotavirus: Not going to do it. Not worth the risk. If he gets diarrhea, I'll take him to the doctor

 

Hep B: Not doing it now. Don't want to risk a reaction for a shot needed for prostitutes and drug addicts..maybe later if needed for kindergarten..we'll see

 

Hep A: Will maybe do it later in grade school. However, this disease is often contacted in restaurants. Well, with Nathan's food allergies, we'll never be GOING to restaurants because I have no idea what's in the food. So I think his risk will be low

 

Flu shot: Obviously not because it has egg in it.

 

People also told me the chances of him having allergies was small. However, he's still one of the 1-2% that have them. I don't want him to be the 1% of kids that have bad reactions to vaccines.

 

So Nathan is now almost a year old. He's cruising, and doing alot of babbling. He claps, gives high fives, and will give a hug if you ask him. He's in the 50th percentile for weight. We never thought we'd see that! He's actually outgrowing 12 month clothes.

 

He's all caught up developmentally. My only concern now is that his only word is "mama." He also doesn't point yet, but is starting to kind of hold his hand up at things, so that might be a sign of beginning to point, or maybe wave?

 

We've got a tough road ahead. No dairy, eggs, tree nuts, or peanuts. More allergies may occur since he's so sensitive. It's going to be rough. It's going to get harder as he gets older and wants to eat what other kids eat. It's going to be hard to monitor him at school and friends' houses. Will I have to hover around him? Time will tell. Somehow I am going to make the school allow him to carry an Epi-pen in his pants pocket. I will put cargo pockets on every pair of his pants if I have to.

 

We're still breastfeeding. Can you believe that? However, I'm about done. My health is suffering because of my diet, and at least he's got the formula to give him the fat and protein he needs for as long as he needs it. If my next child doesn't have milk allergies, I plan to nurse longer!

 

Paying for the formula is a killer, especially since I'm a stay at home Mom, but we really have no choice. It's $25 bucks for a 16 ounce can. It's awful, but we have no choice. The doctors say not to give him soy because he's so allergy prone he might end up allergic to that to. So he's on Similac Alimentum for supplements, and soon to be on it full time. As he gets older, we also have no choice but to buy more expensive foods because it's what he has to eat. We do not qualify for WIC so that is not an option for the formula.

 

Who knows what the future has in store. I will just love my son every day and pray that God keeps him safe and healthy. It's all I can do. It's been quite a year!! I can only pray that the next years will get easier for us and for him.

 

 

Tags: food allergies, vaccinations, weight gain, breastfeeding, allergies, developmental concerns

Add A Comment