If you find you do need to supplement, make sure you read the labels of the formula very carefully, as they will probably also have the same ingredients that your son is allergic to.
I have some 3rd cousins (the children of my father's 1st cousins ~ their grandma and my grandma were sisters) who were allergic to EVERYTHING!!! Their mom had to give them a different formula every day, and could not use the same formula within 7 days of a previous use (i.e., feeding one formula on Sunday, had to wait until a week from that Monday to give that child the same formula again). Now she had her system down pat by the time she got to the 3rd child, and there are 4 of them! (One is doing his medical residency here in Dallas.)
As far as HAVING to give up your breastfeeding, I hope you don't, but I just wanted to let you know that I was not able to breastfeed either of my boys, and neither have had health problems related to not being able to breastfeed. The researchers and makers of formula have really come a lonnnnggg way in developing formulas that contribute to a baby's health.
And as for allergies...my dad is allergic to mashed potatoes made with milk (not allergic to milk or potatoes, otherwise!); my oldest brother is allergic to wheat from the field to the table and tomatoes; my other brother is allergic to strawberries, and tomatoes; and my sister is allergic to peanuts and tomatoes. I skipped all the food allergies, but developed Type 1 Diabetes when I was 13! Somehow, my mom always managed to cook "one" meal that every one could eat, and we had a very varied diet!
My recommendation for you is to find a dietician who can help you "weed out" the foods your son is allergic to from your diet. I can't say whether he'll ever be able to eat those foods, but I know he'll be feeling a whole lot better when they're eliminated from your diet.
Sorry this got to be so long, but I just wanted to let you know that even though your son has the allergy issues, you still have a lot of options available to you.
Blessings!
~J.~
