[TeresaSuperMama]

Well, I think we may be dealing with food allergies over here too. Sorry I haven't been around much. Things have been crazy with me starting back classes and my kids starting back school too, but wanted to pick your brains over here. About 2 1/2 weeks ago Natalie had a fever that lasted almost 4 days. Towards the end of the fever she got a rash. I initially thought it was related to the fever, but after seeing the doctor and the fact that it is still here I think that the rash just was coincidental showing up the same time as the fever. Anyhow, doctor thinks rash is eczema and we thought that it could be related to her switching from formula to cow's milk. We made the switch to cow's milk around her birthday so it'd be a couple weeks after switching. Doctor said try her on soy milk and see what happens. This was on Tuesday. I switched her to soy milk on Tuesday and yesterday I thought the rash was getting better, but today it looks the same or worse. Yesterday I noticed a little bit of loose stools, but thought maybe it was from her shots on Tuesday. Today though, she has had explosive diarrhea and I just can't help but feel that it is related to the soy milk.

Second reason for this thought is way back when we were having bfing problems I tried her on soy formula and she had a very bad reaction to it - explosive diarrhea as well. Now, if you recall this was around the time of the big similac recall and her formula had been part of the recall so I was never sure whether the soy reaction was due to the recall or due to the soy. However, now with the same symptoms as last time I'm thinking that she's got a problem with soy.

What do you think? I got a call into her doctors, but trying to figure out what I can give her. Rice milk just doesn't seem to have enough nutrients. I'm wondering if I can or should ask for allergy testing. I'm not sure if it's necessary. She was handling the Gentle Ease formula from Good start just fine. I almost want to switch her back to formula, but that doesn't seem like a good long term solution.

Also, not sure with her getting shots on Tuesday if I am just jumping to conclusions on the soy milk. I also am not sure how long it takes to see improvements on eczema due to a food allergy.

[forest]

We ended up switching back to formula and my pediatrician said it was fine to keep using it. When we switched to whole milk the poor girl was having around 7 dirty diapers a day and had bad gas as well. Maybe switch back to formula until her tummy is better and then introduce a little soy? You could also try almond milk. That is what we are going to try here pretty soon, although I think formula is probably less expensive!

[TeresaSuperMama]

Originally Posted by forest

We ended up switching back to formula and my pediatrician said it was fine to keep using it. When we switched to whole milk the poor girl was having around 7 dirty diapers a day and had bad gas as well. Maybe switch back to formula until her tummy is better and then introduce a little soy? You could also try almond milk. That is what we are going to try here pretty soon, although I think formula is probably less expensive!

Thanks for your input. Looks like you and my pedi had similar thoughts.

Just got off the phone with her pedi and I think we have a plan. We are switching her back to formula. This way I can see if that clears up the eczema and know whether the introduction to cow's milk was the problem. She definitely has a problem with soy milk that is bigger than her issues with cow's milk. She's been awful all day and I'm just not doing another day like this. I figure we can try cow's milk again in a couple months and this time I'm keeping a tight food journal with how much and when and marking down any symptoms and other foods or things that were fed at the same time. She could just have eczema unrelated to the milk so we'll just have to see. The eczema was not bothering her. She hasn't been itchy or complaining about it. The soy milk was making her crabby and definitely bothering her stomach. Hoping the switch back to formula takes care of both.

[Lisigirl13]

That is pretty tough teresa sorry to hear Natalie Is having a tough time. Hopefully switching her will help. You can try asking your doctor to test her for allergies it will ease your mind to know what you should avoid.

Melanie has been dealing with eczema since she was born and now after multiple creams and treatments we started using the new johnsons natural lotion and her skin made a huge improvement.

I agree with cara on the almond milk. That might be a good choice also evaporated milk. Half evaporated and half water.

[krsnow]

Another idea is goat's milk. I was allergic to cow's milk as a baby, it affected my asthma very badly and I drank goat's milk up until I was a teenager. So it's just another idea for you if cow's milk doesn't work out. I have always heard that goat's milk is more nutritious but I know a lot of people are grossed out by it.