Hi,

As a paediatric Dietitian I have treated cows' milk protein allergy and weaning off AA formulas such as neonate many times. If you feel your child's diet is restrictive, and are worries about food allergys, it is really important you do get help and not just try and change things willy nilly as that can make the situation worse.

The gold standard for food allergy tests are skin prick tests (RAST testing) and your GP can refer you onto an allergy clinic for these. RAST testing prior to 5 years of age isn't always perfect-you can get lots of false positives (indicate an allergy when there isn't one) but as they are 'grades' of allergies, you can then get information on how to deal with this. I work within the food allergy clinic at Guys and St Thomas' and you will get referred to a dietitian to help you manage it so you aren't alone.

I also offer private appointments, but I would definitely recommend RAST testing (through the NHS) anyone over 2 years of age.

Fiona

Www.dietangels.co.uk.

She's 7 now and still has a bit of Neocate everyday because her diet is quite restricted. But we're trying to stop it...

I can't remember if lactose intolerance/allergy was investigated, but it was clear to the doctor that the milk protein was at cause.

NB: I actually felt guilty for persevering with breastmilk while it seems she was getting allergic to whatever I was eating...

Honeymummy, did you try giving Lactose free milk instead of formula?
or did you continue on formula after 2-1 years of age?

Honeymummy, thank you for advice - I try to get a referral to see your specialist or other private tomorrow. I really fed up with NHS - its a nonsense to wait so long.

I was always blaming myself for not being able to continue breastfeeding ( I had case of bad mastitis - 3 rounds of antibiotics did not help etc. ), as soon as we switched to formula - my boy developed severe allergy. We have seen about 6 or 8 different doctors, both private and nhs, switched to so many different formulas with no luck, until the last resort was suggested - Nutramigen AA - which the only one that helped. others like Neocate or Nutramigen Lipil - was making it even worse...

On second thoughts: fish is a common allergen. Keeping a diary of your son's meals could help you notice a pattern.

Other common allergens are: wheat, soya, nuts, peanuts and eggs. But then it could be anything.

SHe is fine with fish, but she's got many other food allergies which developed while she was on exclusive breastmilk (so unfair! All my efforts...Utter nonsense!!)

Anyway, the best thing you can do is to get a diagnosis on milk and other various foods in case he might be reacting to something else?

RASTs tests results take at least a month to come back and NHS appointments are not that frequent but knowing what you can or not give to your child is a big relief.

Honeymummy,

yes It seems there is no logic, at one point he is drinking milk and eating dairy for months with nothing, but then in one week deteriorates with terrible eczema :( Can I ask - did you have any problems with Fish? or allergies on other food?

Hi, we've got similar problems with our daughter and we found that allergies are frustrating even more so because they can come and go and there doesn't seem to be any sense behind it.
C&W has a very competent allergy clinic led by Dr Markiewicz who I believe is a consultant at the Cromwell Hospital. My daughter has attended appointements for the past 7 years and despite a few let downs (NHS admin), which were always corrected, we never had a lost/failed blood test.
Good luck,
H x

Anyone else has experience with milk allergy?

My boy was diagnosed with severe milk allergy at 4months. Now he's 1.5y, I slowly introduced him to dairy products and switched from his amino-acid formula to normal cows milk. And he was absolutely fine for few months, but recently had another outbreak of rash/eczema - so we are back on Nutramigen AA.

Any other parents had similar experiences? We had blood test done by St. Georges - but they have ruined his blood sample - so could not do full blood count test... I have received apologetic letter from them...
I'm going to insist on private next time, appalling service from NHS.