How Do I Know if My Baby Has Food Allergies?
Breastfeeding When Your Baby Has Food Allergies or Intolerances
When something is wrong with your baby, it seems like the world stops. Nothing matters more than fixing the problem. Their health and happiness is your number one priority.
That’s why trying to figure out what’s wrong with them can be challenging when it comes to babies with food allergies or intolerances. There are so many symptoms and so much conflicting information online.
That’s why Free to Feed is here to help you navigate these uncharted waters. Free to Feed started because there was a lack of science-based facts on babies with food allergies or intolerances. We’ve built a community of support and information on this growing issue.
And sometimes the medical field pushes formula, which is fine for some mothers, but others have their hearts set on breastfeeding.
We want to encourage mothers who wish to continue breastfeeding their baby with food allergies that it is possible and we’re here to help you. This blog is to give you information on what many babies experience when they have food allergies or intolerances.
There’s also a big difference between infant food allergies and infant food intolerances. Read more from us on our blog, What You Need to Know About Infant Allergies.
And as always, along with educating yourself, we recommend working with your baby’s medical team. Dr. Trill is a molecular biologist – not a pediatrician. She’s had two babies with severe allergies and has helped hundreds of mama’s just like you.
Let’s start with the most common food allergies in breastfed babies.
The Most Common Food Allergies and Intolerances in Breastfed Babies
Luckily, many babies grow out of their food allergies or intolerances. But it’s important to know there’s a difference between the most common baby food allergies and the most common adult allergies.
The top 12 baby food allergies are :
- Cow’s Milk Protein
- Soy
- Egg
- Wheat
- Corn
- Legumes
- Peanuts
- Beef
- Oats
- Rice
- Tree nuts
- Chicken
This list is important and even more so if you’re trying to find the trigger food for your baby’s symptoms. Cow’s milk protein or dairy is the most common infant food allergy or intolerance. [1] Dairy can be in a lot more than just milk and cheese too. It can be found in potato chips, sauces, and bread!
You might be looking at this list thinking, “what can I even eat?” We’re crossing our fingers you like avocados and lamb! All jokes aside, this can be difficult but remember it doesn’t last forever in most cases.
We want to clear something up real quick here too. Your baby is not allergic to your breastmilk. We repeat, your baby is not allergic to your breastmilk.
They’re sensitive or allergic to specific food proteins in your breastmilk.
Finding your baby’s trigger food can be hard and that’s why Free to Feed is here to help you.
The Top Symptoms of Breastfed Food Allergies or Intolerances in Babies
Symptoms of food allergies or intolerances in your baby can mimic many other conditions which creates further issues in getting real answers or a real diagnosis. Symptoms can include one or more of the following: [2]
- Colic
- Failure to thrive
- Eczema
- Rash
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Bloody or mucousy stools
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Reflux
- Vomiting
Dr. Trill has helped hundreds of mothers and these were the most common symptoms with their babies with food allergies or intolerances. Looking at the above list, you might want to scream, “this is us!”
We know mama, it’s tough. You want to keep breastfeeding and we’re here to help you succeed at that. We know the anxiety eating brings to you because you’re scared it’ll hurt your baby.
If your baby has a rough night, you’ll be trying to figure out what you ate to cause it and feel like a bad mom. We don’t want this and you aren’t a bad mom. We think you’re pretty badass actually. Changing your entire diet…sucks!
But it’s worth it and we support you.
If you’re trying to keep track of everything you’re eating, your baby’s diapers and symptoms download our Free to Feed App to help! The app helps you track what you’re consuming, the baby’s symptoms, and of course the diapers!
No matter how meticulously you keep track of your baby’s symptoms, and diet – it’s still a difficult journey to getting a diagnosis.
Diagnosing Food Allergies in Babies is Hard
It would be awesome if getting a medical diagnosis of food allergies or intolerances in your baby was easy, but it’s a lot harder than you would think.
When it comes to baby food allergies, there are two main types of tests. One is a blood test and the other is a skin prick test. Skin prick tests or blood tests are not commonly performed until the baby is at least 6 months, as results are often inaccurate at younger ages. [3]
Six months can feel like a lifetime if you’re newborn is already experiencing issues or in pain. Another way medical professionals “test” this condition is simply by food elimination diets. If you remove dairy for example, and the baby improves, dairy is the likely culprit.
If you’re like us, it’s hard not having definitive answers or tests that make finding relief easy. Baby food allergies and intolerances unfortunately aren’t black and white.
We do recommend one important tool that you always have on you – your mama instincts.
Trust that Beautiful Mama Gut and Know Free to Feed is Here to Help You
We can’t say it enough – mom’s know best. You know your baby and when something doesn’t “feel right,” it probably isn’t. It can be hard to hear a medical professional say, “ Don’t worry, they’re growing fine.” Trust your gut mama and do what you have to do to find relief for your baby.
Free to Feed is here to support you and guide you on this journey. We’ll continue to provide you with valuable information and work hard at finding solutions for breastfeeding mothers and babies with food allergies or intolerances.
Make sure to join us on Instagram to follow along with Dr. Trill and her journey of creating Freedom Strips. If you haven’t joined the waitlist, please do!
We’re happy and proud to be here. And we’re so glad you found us. We want the best for you and your little one!
If you feel like you’re losing your mind or even more sleep
about what is causing your baby’s symptoms – consider a one-on-one consult with Dr. Trill.
Sources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6265683/
- https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/122/Supplement_2/S105/tab-figures-data
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15482519/
