Allergic to formula?

A one off doesnt always mean a reaction. But by all means write it down. How long after the bottle the spots came out and everything. Also things to look out for is blood in the poos and her being a bit grizzly like she has a sore tummy.

Also, it takes at least 1 exposure before you get a reaction. Maya had 2-3 bottles of formula at around 3 weeks old as I had mastitis, then nothing but breastmilk till she started solids at 16 weeks. We tried her on formula again at 5 mths and within minutes her face had blown up and was covered in hives.

If the spots are still there, I would take her to a doc and get them checked out. If not, then do what Maria suggested and write everything down. I did that for Maya, and when we finally went to see an allergy specialist at 9mths old it was good to have a complete picture of what was going on to show him.

It also depends on what the spots look like, as it is common for babies to get 'milk spots' around 5-8 weeks where they get really really spotty. It's just a hormonal thing, and they either look like splotches, or like pimples. Hives (which are an allergy thing) tend to be big pronounced lumps that look like insect bites.

Took Hannah to the docs this arvo and it is most likely hives, caused by a dairy allergy She has had a few bottles of formula over the last few weeks, but just a reaction this time. Docs advice was no dairy til she is at least one. Her dad and all his siblings were/are allergic to dairy too. Thanks for your replies

Sorry to hear it looks like a dairy allergy Aimee. I have had lots of experience with that unfortunately! I would recommend you ask to be referred to a paediatric allergy specialist to get some more advice and info, coz there is so much conflicting info out there. They'll also be able to help you with whether you need to give up milk etc. while b/feeding, and check for allergies to any other things too.

Good luck! And if you ever need any practical advice feel free to PM me - when Hannah gets a bit older I have heaps of dairy, egg and peanut free recipes and food ideas that I have collected!

Aimee do what is best for you. Don't feel pressured about the b/f issue at all. Believe me I know how hard it is to stick to the dairy free diet to b/f!!!

Yep, you could try goats milk formula (although some kids with dairy allergy are also allergic to goats - Maya was) or soy formula.

The Karicare dietitians are great, they will give you some advice and send you out free samples of their goats milk and soya formulas to try. The # is on the back of the Karicare formula tin, or on their website www.karicare.co.nz.

And if worst comes to worst you can also talk to your doctor about special prescription formulas that are specially hydrolysed for kids with allergies. Maya was on Pepti Jnr fr 2 years. They're quite expensive, but if you have a diagnosed allergy you can get a funding # and that makes it only around the same price as normal formula.

when it comes down to it Aimee, whatever you are happy with. Don't let people pressure you into breasfeeding if it really isn't working for you. Formula isn't poison!!!

Ana, hows your dairy-free diet going??? I don't think I could do that!

Maria, I think you're right, a paediatrician has to issue the special authority #. Maya got hers done thru Starship while she was an inpatient there.

Mmmmm, dairy free baking! I make a mean dairy-free chocolate cake!

Sounds good Becca. Even tho we are not on a dairy-free diet anymore, we kind of are because miss fussy-guts won't drink cows milk, or eat cheese, yoghurt etc. etc.

Also, instead of melted butter you could use melted Olivani which is dairy free