Kids Food Allergies Blog

I appreciate your comments on the probable link between food allergies and acid reflux.  I think you’re on to something.

As I understand it — if a nursing mother eats something to which her baby is allergic, unhealthy levels of acid can be produced in her milk.  That is why antacid medicine can be helpful — especially until the allergen can be identified and eliminated from the mom’s diet.

What I’m trying to figure out is whether the reaction is an allergy or an intolerance.  At this young age — it’s hard to know for sure.  And maybe it doesn’t matter.  Where the distinction becomes important is that if it is an allergen it must be eliminated entirely.  If it is an intolerance, small quantities are tolerable.  That is what I am hoping for.  It will be easier for me to reduce quantities of soy, rather than eliminate it entirely.  1) I’d like to make 1 meal my entire family can eat, and 2) I want to make sure I get a balanced diet for me and for the baby.

Also, I am also wary of blaming allergies without first exploring other possibilities.  With my big girl, every time she gets sick — I tend to look at it at through an allergy lens.   And 90% of the time, I tend to be right.  I don’t want to jump to that same conclusion with the baby, because she’s a different kid.  Maybe it’s not allergies.  Maybe she’s got an immature GI tract and I need to cut out caffeine and chocolate (even if it is dairy and soy free).  There are lots of things I could take before going completely soy free.  Right?

I would welcome a Q and A with Debra (or any other member of the nutrition community) on how nursing mothers can safely implement an elimination diet while making sure that they get adequate nutrition for themselves and their babies.   I’m sure it would be helpful to other moms like me trying to sort out these issues.  Any interest?