Hello, Molly,

The reaction you describe does sound like it could be an allergic response,
so you're absolutely right to support a consultation with the pediatrician,
and perhaps an allergist, depending on what's found.

Just a thought ... your sister might want to hold off on weaning until after
the doctor visit. The surgeon general recommends breastfeeding for at least
2 years, in addition to beginning feeding ordinary "people food" on a
reasonable schedule. I understand that there are many reasons people choose
to stop breastfeeding earlier, and I don't want to get into too much of that
discussion here. Instead, the reason I suggest waiting a little in this case
is that the doctor can order a RAST test (blood test) to help identify some
common food allergens of a specific kind. If it turns out that your sister
and niece are dealing with major allergy concerns, it will help if the
breast milk is still available until other options can be sorted out. They
already know how to feed the baby this way safely, and how to arrange things
so it's feasible; that may not be the case if, for example, it turns out
your niece is allergic to both dairy and soy products. That's not all that
common, of course, but it does happen--and breast milk is a whole lot easier
and cheaper than trying to find alternatives.

So, I'll just offer a quick suggestion that she continue breastfeeding until
she's able to consult with the pediatrician and get back the results of a
RAST test if the doctor agrees it's merited. Then she can make a decision
with all her options still open.

Good luck to your family--I hope there's no serious food allergy there!

Weavre Cooper

-----Original Message-----
From: Milk/Casein/Lactose-Free List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of R. Pellerin
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2009 1:50 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Baby milk

Well, my son was drinking soy milk from a year onward.  We have tried soy,
rice and almond milk and they all vary in fat content.  She could try that
until she goes to the doctor.  And to make sure that all the milks she buys
are fortified; not all of the soy milks are fortified with calcium.

Some people make "milk" out of soaked nuts and dates, which probably has a
good fat and calcium content but I am sure about introducing nuts so soon to
the baby.

Good luck to her.  It is too bad she is weaning the baby; my son drank
soy/rice milk as of about a year but still breastfed until he was three.  I
always was reassured that should anything else go wrong, he still had the
breastmilk. When he had the flu at about 18 mos, that's all he would do,
nurse, and it probably prevented him from being dehydrated.

On Fri, May 22, 2009 at 1:44 PM, Molly Johnson <[log in to unmask]>wrote:

> I really enjoy these discussions, they are so helpful!
>
> My sister just gave her 1 year old milk for the first time; she has given
> her dairy in the past but not straight milk. Later that day her daughter
> started getting what seems like a cold, or allergies-- sinus problems, red
> and puffy eyes... Her husbands family all have allergies to plants, dust,
> mold..., and in Wisconsin right now everyone's are pretty bad. She is also
> teething, so the cold like symptoms could be related to either one. But
just
> to be cautious she wants to try a different kind of milk and see what
> happens, but wasn't sure what kind to try (she is finishing breast feeding
> so she also wants something that is going to provide her with the fat and
> nutrients she needs). Any suggestions? She is taking her in for her check
up
> in a week and a half, and she'll talk to her dr. then but in the mean time
> wants to try something else.  Thanks anyone for your suggestions!
>
> Molly
>