Is MY breastmilk causing issues for my baby?!!

Ugh that question unfortunately lingers over so many moms heads, know you aren’t alone!!

It’s actually not as common as you might think... It is easy for moms to rush to blame themselves or their milk for various issues with their newborn. We easily and quickly assume it must be something we’re eating that is the reason (or its at least contributing) to our baby not being happy or content, right?! However, only 1% of exclusively breastfed infants have food allergies according to the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. The most common allergen is cows milk protein, and only 05.-1% of exclusively breastfed infants have a cows milk protein allergy.

Symptoms of Allergies

The most common symptom of food allergies in the exclusively breastfed infant:

• Eczema

• Bloody Stools

Other symptoms can include:

• Diarrhea

• Green or mucousy stools

• Rash

• Vomiting

• Significant irritability

• Congestion

What should I do if I suspect an allergy?

Don’t rush to blame yourself or your milk! But, if you feel like your milk could be the reason your baby is having any of your infants symptoms, you can try an elimination diet:

1. Start with a possible allergen (its usually best to start with cow’s milk protein AKA dairy) and eliminate it for at least 2 weeks

2. If there is no change in your infants symptoms, add the food back and try eliminating another allergen (like soy, wheat, corn, eggs, or peanuts).

3. Call your baby’s pediatrician!