A Sane Mommy is Better Than an Allergen-Free One

Recently there was an article in The Wall St. Journal by Melinda Beck titled, “Is Your Kid Truly Allergic? Tests Add to Food Confusion.” It highlights the struggles many families go through when trying to determine what is causing a child’s congestion, skin or GI issues. This can be particularly problematic for breastfeeding mothers as the food they eat passes to breastmilk. Foods that can cause gas like onions, garlic and chocolate can be culprits as can dairy products.

The article showcases how blood tests for antibodies to certain foods can be misleading. Often antibodies to foods that can be easily tolerated will still show up in the bloodstream. When skin tests are done, the resulting reaction sites, or wheals, are a better indicator of potential allergic reaction. One of the most important things to remember is that most children grow out of food “allergies” between the ages of 3-5, often with additional lessening as they continue to age.

As a breastfeeding mother, being on the constant look-out for potential allergens in your diet can be stressful and time-consuming. While no mother wishes her baby to suffer through severe eczema, for example, it is wise to take things slowly with one eye on the future. Many baby issues have a light at the end of the tunnel and allergies are no exception. Keep focused on the temporary nature of babies in general when dealing with issues like food intolerances.

If you are concerned about allergens, keep a simple journal of your diet and how it correlates to your child’s issues. Cut out one potential culprit at a time. La Leche League’s The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding has an excellent chapter focusing on starting solids which addresses your child’s changing diet.

Another important point is that sometimes babies are gassy and fussy. Sometimes they aren’t. They are small and short and when they pass gas or a bowel movement, it can sound like a prehistoric man has taken up residence in the Moses basket. This does not necessarily mean they are allergic to anything. Pooping when you are three weeks into your life on the planet is a big job.

A really important point is that sometimes mommies need to eat chocolate for sanity. As important as keeping your children healthy is, mommy’s sanity really needs to take precedence. At least if baby has a blow-out, she can smile, wipe it up and know that she has the chocolate in the bedside table to get her through the next time.

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