Post-Partum Pack

Join

Dairy-free diet while breastfeeding

Tmvirgo
Tmvirgo Posts: 12 Member
edited November 11 in Social Groups
My little 5-month old had to be rushed to the ER 2 days ago with a severe allergic reaction to milk found in Enfamil formula. I am breastfeeding but my frozen supply was running low and I thought I would try to introduce him to formula in case we had to wean soon. Now we know he has a terrible milk allergy and will know results of tests against peanuts, soy and egg next week. Please help with any suggestions for a dairy-free but nutritious diet as well as any tips for boosting breast milk. I want to ramp up my frozen supply so that I can make it all the way till he is 1 year and allowed on other forms of milk or hopefully will grow out of this hard-to-get-away-from allergy.

Thanks for any help that can be offered!

Replies

  • KWKY
    KWKY Posts: 110 Member
    Couple of things to try that worked for me
    (1) pump more frequently, esp in the mornings when your supply is really strong
    (2) nursing tea (I used Holle which was fantastic - the effect was pretty much immediate)
    (3) fenugreek tea

    Make sure if possible, have loads of rest esp at night because lack of rest impacts on your supply.

    Best wishes!
  • RAS10710
    RAS10710 Posts: 53 Member
    Keep hydrated, drink lots of water.

    Try adding flaxseed (also called linseed) to your meals. It doesn't have a huge effect, but I found it helped me a bit. Sprinkle over breakfast cereals, mix with oatmeal/porridge, make dairy free smoothies and throw a tablespoon in, if you're making a casserole or any dinner dish that has some liquid throw in a couple spoons of linseed as well. Add to any baking you do - cakes, muffins, cookies, etc. Like I said, you may not find it has a huge effect, but every boobie milk boosting bit you regularly add to your diet could help =)
    Oh, if you do use flaxseed you may be able to find it sold as 'flaxmeal', which is just ground up flaxseeds. You should be able to get it from health food stores and some supermarkets.

    OATS are also supposed to be good, so trying have oatmeal/porridge for breakfast every morning as well. Rolled oats or thick cut oats will be better than the quick or instant kind.

    Brewers yeast is renowned for being an excellent help in increasing milk supply, more so than just about anything else so definitely give that a go. Also from health food shops.

    Here is a link to a recipe for 'lactation cookies'. I made these and nibbled on them one at a time throughout the day while I was breastfeeding. They're high in butter and sugar, so not so good for keeping calories and fat macros low, but they DO work and they work really well. I noticed the difference between when I did and didn't eat them. You can use anything in the place of the chocolate chips. Some people use baking M&Ms or dried fruit.
    http://www.food.com/recipe/oatmeal-chocolate-chip-lactation-cookies-by-noel-trujillo-192346

    If you want more information or ideas for increasing milk supply try googling 'galactagogues'. A galactagogue is a food that increases milk supply.

    Good luck!! :smile:
  • TiffanyaeBrown
    TiffanyaeBrown Posts: 21
    All of my girls were lactose intolerant. I eat a lot of 'water' foods - soups with lots of broth, and fruits like melons and oranges. Drink LOTS of water too! I take fenugreek capsules when I feek my supply is getting low. It's about $12 at GNC for 90-120ct. It will tell you how to take them on the bottle. Pumping after he is finished eating can help, especially if you are still pretty full. Make sure you're getting enough calories. I know that sounds crazy, but my supply always goes up when I've had a lot of whole grains with proteins. A lot of healthy calories can make a big difference! Besides that just water, water, water.

    I hope everything comes out ok! I'm not sure if they mentioned it, but unless the allergy is genetic, most kids who are born with them out grow them. I hope he is able to do that!
  • Tmvirgo
    Tmvirgo Posts: 12 Member
    Thank you all for your suggestions, I really appreciate them all! I did really make an effort this past weekend to spend as much time with my baby as possible nursing every 2 hours or so and already am seeing an increase. But I will try some of your suggestions as well...if only it were easy enough to say I could get enough rest! I know that I am definitely lacking there. He isn't sleeping through the night, but now we know why. Poor little guy!! Hope that he grows out of it all or at least as he gets older can manage is a little better.

    Thanks again, all! Have a great day!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories