When planning for our third baby one thing I knew for sure was that I would breastfeed her just like I did my first two children. Connor was exclusively breastfed until 13 months. Noah had some formula around 9 months but continued to breastfeed until 12 months. So, I assumed Audrey would be breastfed until at least her first birthday. Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would have some of the difficulties we had and I never imagined I would be dealing with food sensitivities.
Around the time Audrey turned 2 months old I noticed her skin breaking out. I suspected maybe a dairy intolerance right away so I cut out obvious dairy. I stopped eating cheese and switched to almond milk in my coffee. Her skin did get better but a few weeks later she had blood in her stool. I took Audrey to the pediatrician and she advised me to cut out all dairy. She told me to consider cutting out soy as well. It was around this time, too, that Audrey started spitting up a ton. Like, puddles! I remember she would start to spit up and I would just hold her up over the tile and just let her spit up. It was easier to clean the puddles up off the tile than it was to try to catch it on the burp cloth.
We continued to exclusively breastfeed as I cut out dairy and soy and ultimately eggs and beef, too. This was so incredibly hard for me. I felt like I couldn’t eat anything. Going out to eat with my family was impossible. Since I was eating so little, I felt really tired and just absolutely exhausted every day. My hair was falling out in clumps, my body was covered in bruises and I lost so much weight you could see my ribs and spine.
I decided I could no longer be a good mom or wife if I continued on like this. So, at 10 months I made the decision to switch Audrey over to formula. After a trip to the GI and pediatric allergist, Audrey was diagnosed with several food intolerances and would need specialty formula. It was difficult getting her to drink the formula but she eventually gave in and started drinking more and more at each feed.
Audrey has been on the formula (as well as table food) for almost 2 months and she is doing great! She doesn’t spit up anymore and she is so happy! She only takes about 10-12oz of formula but she is growing well and is such a happy baby.
Breastfeeding a baby with food sensitivities is completely different from breastfeeding a baby without food intolerances. This was an incredibly difficult journey but I was proud of myself for making it 10 months. My husband and my girlfriends were so supportive and helpful during this difficult time. I would not have been able to get through this without them.
And now because I like to keep it real…enjoy these outtakes. I had an image in my head of how beautiful and special this Milk Bath shoot would go. Audrey had her own plan and absolutely hated the bath. Ha! Thanks, as always, to Megan for being so quick and getting a few photos before things got a little crazy 🙂
Photos By: Megan Higgins Photography
Congrats for making it 10 months! Sounds like such a difficult journey, but glad you found out the best way to keep her fed and yourself healthy. I love your photos btw, she’s gorgeous.
Thank you so much!