The Dairy-free story

So, I've been dairy-free for a week now to see if Avery's reflux problems were really a sensitivity to milk proteins. I cannot believe the difference in him! He had been projectile vomiting after almost every feeding and spitting up constantly all day. He was also arching his back and screaming after every feeding and having a hard time burping. The GI dr suggested giving up dairy to see if that was the problem. Now, he spits up maybe a couple times a day and there's no fussing after he eats! The difference is truly amazing! That's the great news...

So today, he went to the pedi for an ER recheck (he went this weekend for croup) and he asked me about his reflux. When I told him how great things are now with it, he told me that he is most likely allergic to whey and most kids outgrow that around 3 or 4 years old. When I cut out dairy, I moved all my frozen bm to the bottom of the freezer thinking maybe we can try it in a couple of months to see how he does. So when I mentioned my "pre-dairy-free" freezer stash of bm, he told me to "chunk it." OUCH! I know you ladies can understand how painful that is! Over 100 ounces...and it all has to go in the trash! I've been pumping like mad to try to restock the freezer over the past week but man, I just want to cry over that!

More good news...I've lost almost 5 pounds in a week! And I found a way to eat chocolate - Duncan Hines regular chocolate frosting is dairy-free (so are most of their cake mixes) so I'm keeping a can in the fridge for when the chocolate cravings get too bad!

 

Yay, I'm glad you've had such great results going dairy-free! That must be such a huge relief.

Before you throw away the freezer stash - is there any way you could donate it to a milk bank?

 

QUOTE(fuchsiagroan @ May 27 2008, 08:31 PM) [snapback]796123[/snapback]
Yay, I'm glad you've had such great results going dairy-free! That must be such a huge relief.

Before you throw away the freezer stash - is there any way you could donate it to a milk bank?


I'm so glad you said that! I thought about that earlier today, but the way my brain has been working lately, the thought left as quickly as it came. I'll have to research that!

 

It's great to hear that the solution was so simple (well, except that eating dairy-free can be sorta complicated sometimes). Good for you for being willing to check out that option. Note that it's not just whey - casein, another dairy protein, is also a culprit and it shows up a lot in imitation cheese stuff - like packaged mac and soy cheese.

I hear you about throwing away the freezer stash, though. Such precious stuff! But it'll be back again before you know it. FWIW, I've got milk in the deep freeze that's smelling a bit...stale...when I take it out, so you might have had to chuck it in the end anyway! It keeps a long time, but not forever.

And check out Late July's dark chocolate sandwich cookies. They're amazingly good and completely dairy free. I get them at our local organic market.

 

Your story is exactly like mine. Dairy free cured Greta's reflux and I had to toss the freezer stash. I did look into donating it but unfortunately you have to be tested and approved BEFORE the milk is pumped. I was able to give some of mine to a friend who had recently adopted.

Gotta love the dairy free weight loss. I'm getting ready to cut it again just for that last 5 lbs!

 

YAY!!! I just got off the phone with the lady from the milk bank in Raleigh and I don't have to throw away all that bm!!! She said they would be happy to take what I've already stored and that they always have a high demand for dairy-free bm. So, after I get the freezer re-stocked for Avery, I'm going to become a regular donor. I'm really excited about it!

 

Whoohoo! That is such awesome news! :yahoo: Not only will all the frozen milk not go to waste - you will be lots of mothers' (and babies') hero! Donated milk even saves lives. (For example, some preemies are prone to an intestinal condition that can kill them, and breastmilk improves their odds unbelievably.)

 

I'm glad to hear that he's doing so much better! Sorry about your freezer stash though - that stinks! Enjoy the frosting - that stuff is YUMMY

 

QUOTE(Mommy2ATeam @ May 29 2008, 10:18 AM) [snapback]799314[/snapback]
YAY!!! I just got off the phone with the lady from the milk bank in Raleigh and I don't have to throw away all that bm!!! She said they would be happy to take what I've already stored and that they always have a high demand for dairy-free bm. So, after I get the freezer re-stocked for Avery, I'm going to become a regular donor. I'm really excited about it!



Oh my goodness...I am so glad to hear this. I wish my NICU would have taken it. We called several and they all denied milk pumped before testing. Good for you! Like Holly said, you can not only provide all the great bennies, but even save lives! I'll be forever grateful to the moms who provided donor milk for my girls while they were in the NICU.