Food Allergies - Spanish Fork, UT

I didn't have this problem personally, but my sister's son was found to have the same allergies at age 1 (he's now almost 2). I know it has been trying sometimes, but she has just had to be diligent about what he eats. It's especially hard when the rest of us are having things he can't eat, but he just know he can't have "cows milk" because it will make him sick.

When she stopped breastfeeding she put him on Silk Children's formula (higher calorie content than the regular). I know they also have soy formulas for the younger ones.

She also did research and found a website that provided information like lists of milk based ingredients printed on a card that she could give to me and other caregivers. That has been great. She has also found several vegan cookbooks and we have had birthday cakes and brownies that are vegan.

Luckily fruits and veggies are still in and so most pretzels and graham crackers. There are breads and lunchmeats that don't contaitin milk products, but a lot of them do. You just have to become a good label reader which is something you can definitely do!!

In today's world allergies are not uncommon. Don't panic there is a lot of foods that he can eat. A good allergy specialist you can trust will test him for allergies and help you out, see one ASAP and you both with benefit from it.
Good Luck

I have a now 6 yr old that at birth was put on neocate formula, He was allergic to milk and soy formulas. We went to a GI dr. he was having blood in his stool. We couldn't start solids till he was 6 months and we did one at a time we used the "organic ones". He out grew all his allergies by one except the peanut one(not common)that was at 3 yr. We now have a 5 month old that I am breastfeeding he also has allergies. The GI dr put him on Oprazole for reflux. And we are taling it slow. My one advice is READ ALL LABELS. some good websites are: www.kidswithfoodallergies.org, www.askdrsears.com, www.seattlefoodallergy.org and www.foodallergyinitiative.org hope those help. T. V.

How did you find out your six month old had these allergies? Avoiding these foods is really easy. Just make your own baby food. It's extremely easy, less expensive than buying gerber or anyother premade baby food, healthier and better for the enviroment because you don't have all those little containers. I will say however, gerber is great when traveling. There are many websites that have age appropriate recipesand tips on how to ccok and store food. Basically all you need is a blender or food processor. You can use frozen fruit and veggies. steam or boil until soft, then puree and put into ice trays to freeze. this will make approximately one tablespoon servings. When frozen store in ziploc bag. When it's mealtime just grab a cube or more (depending on age of child and how much they eat)pop in microwave for a few seconds add cereal. For added nutrition you can either add a scoop of formula or breastmilk. When it's time to add meat into the diet you can cook, grind and freeze in ice cubes as well. Good luck.

I went through the same thing with my now 5 year old at six months we found out that he had allergies to eggs, wheat, cat, mold and many more i was still breast feeding at the time and had to quit cold turkey which broke my heart. My son Doctor said to not let him have any of the products for 15 months I think and then re interduces them one at a time and see if he had a reaction and if so what kind it was. SO we did that and he is still alleggic to them but is able to eat them he just get a small rash if he eats alot of that curtain product. Baby Food is very safe you just have to look at all the labels and see which ones have the products that your son can't have its alot of work but it works. hope you all the best. K.

D.,

I know exactly what you are going through! My son has seven food intolerances; not as life threatening as allergies, but they could develop into full-blown allergies if we don't stay away from the foods he can't have.

The best advice I can give you is to look at the organic companies. These companies are usually better at listing all of their ingredients and possible contaminations. If you are at all concerned, call the company, there is almost always a phone number on the back of the product. While shopping at Meijer I have been known to call companies right in the store.

The first month or so is the toughest period because everything you have been doing for dinners and meals is now out of the question. It will take time, but making menus and finding food your son can eat will get better over time. Just remember to read labels every time you shop, even with the products that have been safe in the past. Companies can change their ingredients without telling consumers.

A great place to double check ingredients is www.wikipedia.org. I usually type in the name of the ingredient and most times I can find out what the ingredient is derived from and if it might be an issue for our family.

You also might want to be careful with beans, peas, and other legumes. Peanuts aren't really a nut so your son may have or develop a sensitivity to chocolate, peas, beans, soy, etc. You can always talk to your allergist.

Good luck!

i just read your info sorry to read that your son has food allergies. i wondered if you knew this but babies are not suppose to eat those things until way after they are 1 the longer you can put them off from eating those foods the better. i've read info on it and my sons pediatrician and drs all say the same thing. gerber foods are good to start with since they are bland and dont have many unknown ingredients. if you have a food processor that's even better. cause then you know what goes into your sons' body. my son drinks lactose soybase formula and that is easy on his stomach. so you might want to try that. walmart seems to have good deals on formula or try going to wic they can give you free voutures for that stuff. in the meantime i wouldnt feed him those things and start with one food at a time for about a week if he has no allergic reaction the he's probably fine.
good luck
hope this works out for you

my first child was allergic to everything...even my milk..he could eat tuna,hot dogs,bread,soy milk and that was about it i fed him tuna for breakfast...at six months...and hot dogs..the doctor said he would do fine and today he is fifty years old and is six feet four inches tall i fed him just what ever he could eat do not feel helpless cause he will be fine...

OK, the first thing you do is breath....in....out and repeat. I have been where you are and it is scary at first but you do learn to deal with it. I started making my own baby food, but instead of making it every day I would make it once a week and freeze it in ice cube trays then store it in a zip top freezer bag. I would steam my veggies and hard fruits and also chicken. I would use canned beans but I would rinse then very well to get rid of the extra sodium. I would experiment with different flavors, fresh basil and oregano, little bits of cayenne pepper, cinnamon in the apples, and now my daughter is a very adventurous eater. Hope this helps
J.

Hi D.,
My Aunt is allergic to peanuts really bad just even a swif of it can put her through antifilactic shock. The thing that we do is if we buy anything that is new or anything at all we look on the back and read the ingredients and if it says MAY CONTAIN FACILITIES THAT HANDLE PEANUTS. Do not use that for your child ever. Don't be scared I know what you are going through and if you have any questions just email me at ____@____.com and in the subject put down D. from MAmasource then I will check it. So I hope this has helped a little.

Our DS was diagnosed w/ peanut/tree nut allergy just about 1. So we know how daunting it can be at first. But after a while you'll get over the shock and it'll just be part of life. My best recomendation is just to read labels, over and over. Even if you think you've already read it, it can't hurt to read again. All the baby foods contain an ingrediant list and adult/toddler foods also have Allergy warnings on them. If you can get to the West Side of Madison, WI there is a infant/toddler cafe(they also deliver and have their food at Senty Hilldale and Woodmans in the freezer section). They make their own food. If you explain the allergies I'm sure they can let you know what is safe and free from cross-contamination. They have baby food that's prepared and you can put in your freezer. It' called Bean Sprouts Cafe (http://www.beansproutscafe.com/). Another alternative is to make your own and freeze. It's not as hard as it sounds just takes a little time. Good luck!

D.,
The feeling of being overwhelmed is totally normal and will quickly pass. My son has allergies to milk eggs nuts and some other stuff too. Its very easy to think about the things he wont be able to eat, but think of all the good stuff he can eat! Fruits, veggies, rice milk, soy milk (maybe). You can make your own food instead of Gerbers too. I got a baby food maker and did a lot of organic food. Earths best has nice canned foods, but they often had mixtures that didn't work for my son. Remember to only introduce one new food a week, that way if he has a reaction you know what the food is an can avoid it. They cant test kids for too many allergies, so they're may be more allergies you haven't discovered yet. I know, but stay calm, it could be worse!
They're are soy formulas out on the market, as well as some rice formulas too. I used those in some foods to make them tastier.
Good luck!
H.

Hi D.-I am a stay at home mom too! I have an 11yr old boy, and 8yr old girl, and a 4yr old girl. My son has food allergies as well. He is allergic to milk, eggs, cheese, soy, peanutbutter, mild allergy to wheat. Along with that he has severe asthma and allergies to animal dander.
Reading labels and asking questions at resturants will become very habitual for you!
I would encourage you to buy fresh fruits and veggies and puree them to make your own baby food. If you want more ideas or just to talk about more specific things just mail me back.

It is nicer to found out sooner than later because they really dont know what they are missing.

My son has no desire to eat all the regular junk food that we eat because it makes him feel so bad and he reads labels and asks questions and knows what he can and cannot eat.
In fact he eats so much healthier than we do! At times I wish I had my own food allergies, especially to chocolate!

I hope this encourages you and helps you out.
K.

My second has a milk allergy. I made a lot of my own baby food when he was young. I know this sounds like a lot of work, but it really wasn't. We bought a hand crank food mill (at a local baby store) and I would grind up any food that we were eating at the table that were appropriate for him. (We also would take it when we were "eating out"; restraunt or other peoples homes). Then once a week, I would process a large batch or two of foods that we didn't normally eat or that when we ate it, it was "contaminated". I would freeze the food in ice cube trays or 1/2 cup portions, so they would keep and were easy to prepare. I processed my food in a blender, or by hand, depending on what it was. At first, reading all the labels seems very tedious, but I carried a small notebook, and when I found a store product that he could have, I would write it down and the store. Health food store, or the "natural foods" sections are a good place to start, but not the only places to look. Over time I had a list that was quite long. Most of the things I keep in the "pantry" I found replacements for. Then I also tweeked recipes at home when I could. There are also lots of books on allergies and many of them have recipes. I also have the rest of the family eat meals prepared with his "modifications" (that taste good) about half of the time, or I have choices (some he can have, some he cann't...usually on left over night), or other times, I just make his own serving to accomidate him. He is now 4 and doing great. It is an adjustment for the whole family, but everyone soon gets on track and it becomes "normal". He understands why he cann't have everything that the rest of us can and accepts it and will tell people at school (or other places where people may not know) which means he is taking responsibility for his health. Marilu Henner also has some books on health that might be helpful to you. She seems a bit extreme at times, but a lot of her recipes might work for you (when your little one gets older, there are recipes for EVERYTHING kids like, they might not all work, but it would be a good place to look). As a family, we are all eating healthier because of my awareness of whay we are actually eating now. Good luck!

My grand daughter has severe food allergies. My daughter has learned how to cook with cornmeal and rice flour. She sticks to "God" foods (fruit, veggies, meats) but when she bakes, she has found that while working with rice flour creates a problem it is not impossible. She makes a lot of tamales (we're Mexican so that works very well for us:)

There are great web sites out there as well. Good luck.

D.-

I highly recommend you check out one of my favorite websites: www.allergykids.com

This site was created by a mother who's child had severe allergies. She has done a lot of research and has found things that make a difference.

GET A SECOND OPINION!!!!!!!! I think a lot of pediatricians are quick to diagnose a problem because that's what parents what. A DIAGNOSIS. Take him to an allergy specialist or a pediatrician at a different facility.
Then, if they say the same thing, there are several ways to get through this. First of all, know that in a few months, everything will be calm and seem normal. Read up on these allergies and do what's best for your family.

My youngest son seemed to have picked up a lot of food and drug allergies after a bout with Chicken pox. He was tested at 1 year and was told he was allergic to wheat, milk, eggs, beans, peanuts, corn, and many more things. It was hard to cook for him let alone go out to eat. I took him to a pediactric allegist who told me that the needle tests are not as accurate as they like you to believe and most food allergies are out grown before the age of 5 unless they are new ones later in life. That it is the digestive system not being developed enough. My son is now 20 and he still can't eat nuts or peanuts of any kind and bananas. His medicine allergies he will not chance by trying them again.

Just remember when introducing a new food just do one at a time. Keep a journal on how he reacts to it. My son's pediactric allergist told me that if there was going to be a reaction, it would be shortly after he has eaten the food.

They have some soy milk that is fortified for children. My granddaughter was on soy formula until she turned a year old and now drinks that. She loves it and while we try regular milk on her once in a while to see if she has outgrown the milk allergy (she eats cheese and ice cream without any problem). She will not drink regular milk at all, she tells us it is ack.

Well, catch your breath, food allergies are not the end of the world anymore. Each of my kids had at least one, and at the time I thought I would die and blamed myself. Back then, I did not have a blender or many of the kitchen implements we now have in most of our kitchens.... #1 for milk allergy, get some soy milk. My son in law taught me about that one, as he is allergic to milk. #2 At the health food store is a product to replace eggs in most of your cooking/baking and it tastes pretty good. To be sure you have safe food, make your own. For a shower gift, I often give a babyfood grinder. Anything you cook for yourself or family can be put into that little wonder and ground down to whatever consistancy you think your child has reached... Our Granddaughter was eating what ever the rest of us were eating by the time she was 6 months old.
Most of the foods we love to eat, but might have foods your baby cannot have because of allergies, will be available to you at the Harvest Health food stores. If I had only known about them 40 years ago, life might have been easier for my 4 kids. Good luck You know life will be so much easier for you and your hubby now that you have actually discovered what the baby's problem really is. Good luck!!!!

For anyone in the Wausau area that has a food allergy or child with one, there is a support group called WAFAST. They have a website www.wafast.com. WAFAST meets once a month. They have alot of knowledge and great resources. I have 3 kids with food allergies and belong to the group. It is nice to talk with people who understand the risks and have the same concerns as you. Check out the website or stop in at a meeting. They have great ideas and are a group of really nice people.

We also have allergies. I say plan to breastfeed as long as you possibly can. That has taken out a lot of the stress of making sure my daughter has enough to eat even as she becomes a busy toddler. Also, there is no "should" when starting solids. He is only six months, you can wait a couple more months if you are nervous about reactions. At that age, my daugher ate a lot of banana, avocado, sweet potato, and pears. If you focus on whole foods, you don't have to worry about unknown allergens in the processed ones. She's never had packaged "baby food," I have the same reaction you do to it, I don't trust it! Plus buying mashed bananas in a jar are way more expensive and less nutritious than just buying bananas (and they are very easy to mash). I'm sorry you're having to deal with this, but pretty soon it will feel like no big deal.

I feel your pain. My 1 year old recently got diagnosed with a milk allergy and before that we did an elimination diet - no eggs, milk, melon, bananas. It was hard but definitely worth it. I would not push starting him on solids. You have plenty of time. Then I'm sure the oatmeal/rice cereals would be safe. I find it's just easier to give him food that I make - stay away from processed food that you aren't sure what's in it. That's especially true with the nut allery - my 3 year old has that!! :) Because even though a lot of food doesn't have the nut in it, they are processed in plants that use them. Hang in there, it's hard at first but you will get used to it!

I, too was allergic to milk and eggs, among many other items, and my dad was a dairy farmer! Imagine that! Mom ended up having to use soy milk or goat milk for me. I know rice milk is also available now for allergy prone people. I did grow out of my allergies, but I had so many. I can tolerate anything now and enjoy food! ha ha

Work with your allergist. Were you eating tree nuts and peanuts so that your child was being exposed to these nuts at such an early age? As well as the eggs, etc....?

I am so sorry you have to endure this, but know there are moms out there that will have great advice for you! Just keep holding on....

I would suggest reading a couple books- you will probably find a ton so here are the ones I love! Your local health food store will have a wealth of information and products to help you with this.

The Whole Foods Allergy Cookbook by Cybele Pascal- Really good tasting allergine free recipes (although most of that is for meals with the entire family as your baby gets older but you will find some great tips from a mom who has been through it all.)

The Parents Guide to Food Allergies by Maryanne Scott, Elinore Greenberg and Marianne S Barber. Awesome wonderful book to help answer your questions... chapters on each of the most common food allergies- really really helpful!

Most recipies you can substitute soy or rice milk for regular milk... you will find eggs more complicated but you will eventually get used to the substitutions and so will your family... as a side note less additives and hormones in the rice, and soy milks and egg substitutes so you might find several healthy benefits. I am sorry about the peanut allergy- that one is especially rough and scary. Good luck and enjoy the adventure and know you are not alone.

First don't panic its ok some children just have alergies. I actually didn't start feeding my daughter solids as her prime meals until she was one due to the fact that many studies have shown that the underdeveloped intestine and stomach enzimes are not able to handle the strong 'foods' that we as adults eat, and breast feeding has been the only proven 'safe' food that babies tummies are 'made for'. I would stay away from the cows milk and dairy products for now any way because as I said before the enzimes are really hard on his tummy. BEST BET MAKE YOUR OWN BABY FOOD I wouldn't trust big name brands either you don't know that one person working in the factory didn't happen to accidently touch something that would cause your baby to have a reaction, I personally would purchase organic vegitables(because they are grown safely and w/out harmful chemicles)and puree your own baby foods, you can pour the puree into an ice cube tray then freeze them and store in individual freezer bags for easy access and also save time. I also found that feeding her the vegis first will help develop a palat that desires healthier foods I'm not sure if you are breast feeding any more but if you are just a couple 'cubes' of the vegis a day as a snack would be good if his primary food is breastmilk, there are several resources that you can go to if you need recipies for food alergies Mothering Magazine is a wonderful place for advice and tips, Martha Stewart actually has recipies on her website for food allergies, and your local organic/health food store would be a great resource(Whole Foods or Basics) Woodmans also has an organic section that you can browse through that will have TONS of foods and juices that are safe for your little guy.

Actually baby food is pretty safe. Just check the label. It should say contains: then whatever it might contain. As you start getting him on solid, like the stuff you eat you will have some problems. If he grows out of the egg and milk it won't be as bad, if you look you can find things that don't contain even trace mounts. Good luck, and from someone who is going through it, it will get better. It seemed overwelming in the first, but now it is not as bad. The hardest is family who don't have to deal with it daily, just take something you know he can have with you, and always have something on hand when you are at other places. And ALWAYS check the label no matter what.

Dear D.,
It is common for breastfed infants to have problems when their Mom drinks or eats milk products- and it's so challenging! When you look at the pros and cons, it will be relatively easy enough to change your diet. Unfortuantely your change will have to include more foods than milk products- learn to use substitutes like Rice milk, soy milk for now- it won't last forever.

My second daughter had colic when I ingested any milk products. I learned to stay away from them until she grew out of it.

If he is allergenic, it is even more important that you breastfeed him and only start to introduce foods when he becomes demanding- he will let you know when he wants to eat! When you do introduce foods, be sure that you introduce them very slowly- give him at least a week on a new food or even longer and introduce only ONE NEW FOOD AT A TIME, so you can evaluate his response. Mild veggies or fruit. Gerber rice is how old? No one knows for sure! Feed him only food that you have prepared yourself or organic baby foods. (You can do it!)
Consider nursing him for a while. My first child wasn't really interested in food until she was older and didn't have any teeth until she was 11 months old. Their teeth eruptions have a connection with their enzymes and ability to digest foods. I would recommend that you talk to a qualified Lactation Consultant. You can usually find them at the larger hospitals or the District Health in your area. They have a wealth of experience and can help with very practical tips.

It's going to go by faster than you think. I really encourage the moms I work with to nurse for... 2.5 years! Yes it sounds like forever, but it has so many advantages, especially with babies that have allergies! Realize that over time babies don't nurse as often as they do when they are his age. They do gravitate to foods and nursing becomes a comfort as well as a nutritional plus.
Take Care and God Bless,
H. B. MOM, Mother of Many (9)

Hi,
We actually only used a few jars of baby food. We made our own in a blender. It was very easy. We often just took the food we were eating. This was way cheaper and we knew exactly what we were feeding our son.
Best of luck,
S.
http://www.GreenerSuccess.MomsMakeMore.com
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According to old fashioned standards, you can breast feed for a year without giving any thing else, maybe a little cereal. At a year take him for more tests, his body might be mature enough to accept more of the other things by then. Milk is for baby calves and they have 2 stomachs to digest it, and never after a year does any other creature on earth require milk. Yogurt and cheese seem to be broken down in their extreme processing enough not to hurt those of us with some allergy to milk.
Our children were all in lots better health when we stopped force feeding milk, and didn't require any more prescription antibiotics for anything until they got to school and started getting stuff from other kids. The Dairy Association wants people to buy milk for their profit, not for healthy children, just like the Tobacco growers industry. They are both farm organizations, they both need profit. I have nothing against farmers, I just wish they would grow beans instead!!

D.:
Having suffered through food allergies myself, I can understand your concern.
Luckily your baby is very likely to adapt and enjoy even a "limited" diet, since he has not had any solids yet.
I found that the best food you can give your baby is the one you make yourself, instead of Gerber or any other store bought baby food. It may sound like a lot of work, but believe me it's not!
I mashed my own bananas, and blended pretty much any veggies and even rice and chicken (when the time came) in a tiny blender attachment that allowed me to make small quantities of food for my baby. That way he always had freshly made food. I used the same vegetables and/or ingredients I had prepared for the family dinner.
The little jar (Oster) I used is probably not available anymore, but you can use a food processor to accomplish the same.
Good luck!

D.,
I've been in your shoes. My son, now 5, wasn't diagnosed until he was 16 months, it was frustrating not knowing what was going on. He has out grown his milk and egg allergy, and the allergist told us his peanut allergy is a sensivity, but we still treat it as an allergy, makes it easier for everyone to understand. I read every lable that we bought, Now they are listing allergens on the lable, they didn't before. I suggest that you grind your own food for him, I know thats a lot of work, but if you are worried that will help. Gerber makes an organic baby food, that may work.
Good Luck
J.

How did they find these allergies?

My daughter is 13 months old and was diagnosed with peanut, milk and egg allergies at 6 months old. I have relied heavily on vegan(no animal products, including cow's milk and eggs) blogs and cookbooks for ideas - both great resources. I immediately contacted a nutritionist at Children's Hospital and she was full of information. Now that my daughter is 1 and I have to start fixing her more meals that my whole family can eat, I made an appt. with the concierge at Whole Foods Market downtown. It was amazing - she gave me a list of products in their store that were free of allergens and walked through the entire store pointing them out to me. She let me try a couple products, too. It was the best experience and gave me so many more ideas for feeding my daughter. Please let me know if you need more ideas. It definitely can get overwhelming, but we are eating so healthily because of the new foods & ingredients we've tried becuase of my daughter.

You can get a baby food grinder ( they sell them in various baby catalogs like One Step Ahead, and probably at a local kids specialty store) or a food processor, and make your own baby food. Steam veggies and then just grind them up! Portion the puree into an ice cube tray, freeze it, and pop the food cubes out and put them in a Ziplock for storage. Microwave them when it's time to feed your baby. It's time consuming, but worth it, and cheaper than storebought! AND, you will know what is in the food.
My friend has a daughter with a peanut allergy--it is very difficlut for them. They just don't allow any peanuts or peanut products in the house. Make sure you read labels--her daughter had a reaction to a peanut-free food that said "processed in a facility that also processes peanuts" on the package.

I would advice you to do the same thing I did for my daughter..not because she had food allergies, but because it so much healthier.. fix his food yourself and grind it up in a food processor, or the little white baby food hand grinder. That way you know exactly what your baby is eating, and have no concerns. You can prepare enough at one time and put it in little plastic containers to refrigerate or even freeze for later use. fresh food is so much healthier, and your child will appreciate the flavor too!! may take a little time, but your anxieties will be gone, and that is worth it!! Using the little hand grinder also makes it easy to go out with your child, you just grind up some of your food, and all is well!!

No worries! It will all work out. My son is allergice to milk and they think he will grow out of it as well. It is a little challenging at first but you will get the hang of what to have on hand. Soy milk is a great alternative and so is soy cheese. My son also loves pork and beans, black beans and all kinds of fruits and veggies. My biggest concern is getting him the protein and calcium he needs but good soy is calcium enriched and the beans and lunch meats is where I give him his protein. My nephew had the same problem and my sister carried the store bought rice crispies in her purse for a couple of years. That way if someone was having a treat at their house or a B-day party, she had something sweet he could eat. He also loved pasta and there are several types of things he can eat once he learns to use his pincer. Good luck!

My son is allergic to nuts, soy, sesames and peas. Here is the link to UFAN: http://www.utahfoodallergy.org/. They have meetings once a month and a great network to talk to other people and get advice. There is a meeting this Thursday downtown, but check to see if there are meetings closer to you. It is very scary and overwhelming...this network could be really helpful.

i would not hurry on the solid foods. are you breast feeding? do not start with bananas, very slow and sluggish on digestion. several things could be coming into play here. vaccines have egg protein in most and peanut oil in some and when they inject such a large protein directly into the body without going through digestion, there can be a reactive sensitivity because the digestive system is not developed enough to handle it. you are going to have to read labels and get involved with some wellness care providers to get some different perspectives on your child's health and diet. I, of course, am going to recommend ped. chiropractor since that is what i am and i deal with this daily. also, your child will most likely be prone to ear infections with this type of allergy and health challenge. you have many options. please look at the big picture here and these allergies are very dangerous and hard for the entire family. good luck

My son has allergies to eggs and nuts as well. We didn't find out until he was about 16 months old. It is good you know so soon. My advice is to read labels. Eggs especially are in a lot of things. I've also found that some times nuts or nut flour is in something like a granola bar when you can't even taste it. Health food stores sell egg replacer that you can use in your baking and cooing at home. You can also buy soynut butter that is like a peanut butter substitute -sold nxt to the peanut butter in grocery stores. I know you won't have to worry about this stuff for awhile, but time flies. As far as starting baby foods, make sure you only introduce one food at a time and wait 3 days to a week to see if he has a reaction before trying a new one.

My son has milk alergies as well. We had him tested very young as milk & wheat alergies run in my family. I thank God every day that he is not alergic to wheat.

We started with bananas & sweet potatoes forhis forst foods. They are very nutricious and most babies love them. Soy milk & rice milk are good alternatives to cows milk & goats milk also works if you are concerned about him getting enough animal fat in his diet. I used it along with soy formula after he self weened himself at 10 months to make sure he got enough fats in his diet.

Get ready for a life of reading labels and asking for ingredients at restaurants (as well as bringing alternative foods along).

Get him tested again periodically as he grows. Many times a child can be diagnosed with an allergy that is actually just a sensitivity & is soon out grown.

Gergber baby food is fine as long as you stick to the single ingredient foods. Once you get to the foods with more than one ingredient you will have to religously read the labels.

Also invest in the Bulltet food prcessor & make yor own baby food if you are concerned about store bought. It is great. Just take what ever you are eating & blend away.

Good luck

The first thing (as many have stated) is for you to not panic. It really isn't that bad. My 2-yr old daughter was diagnosed with a peanut allergy when she was 1. We found out because she tried a bite of a peanut butter sandwich and her eyes started swelling shut within about 30 seconds. That was scary. We had to do the allergy test - which was harder on me than her. We did discover that you have to read the labels pretty close. Clara reacted to some stuffing that was packaged in a place that also packages nuts - and that warning was very small and in an odd place. We have an epi pen, and have never used it. Fortunately, she hasn't ever had trouble breathing. Now she knows she can't have anything with'itchies'. That makes sense to her - she doesn't like it when she gets hives or has itchy skin. She just says "oh -ok - no itchies". Granted, sometimes it isn't easy. I am very careful about chocolate - lots of chocolate is prepared where there are nuts. I also suspect she is allergic to eggs - she started to get hives after 'helping' and sampling some cookie dough. Benedryl took care of it, but I wouldn't give it to a 6 mo old. I also ask about the oil used if we go out to eat - lots of restaurants use peanut oil in teh frier - especially mexican & chinese. So far, we have pretty much avoided those types of food for her.

The big thing really is to read lables. If you don't make a big deal, your kids will jsut think it is normal. Also make sure everyone knows about the allergies. My mother-in-law doesn't think it is important to make sure that there are no peanuts or candy with nuts around when we come to visit - because "the doctors can't be right, she si a helathy girl". I just do damage control when we get there. Once everyone is aware, you won't be on pins and needles - it will just be 'normal'!

It will be very helpful for you if you check out FAAN, the Food Allergy and Anaphlaxis Network. They have a great website, and send out email allerts about common foods that have hidden allergens in them (you practicly need to be a chemist to understand some food labels, so this is very helpful!)

Your best bet is to just read all labels very carefully. I grew up with severe allergies to Milk, all dairy, and beef. I did not grow out of my allergies until I was 21 years old, and still have a reaction to dairy products if I eat them in excess. When you read the labels watch for milk derivatives like whey and there are a few others you may need to research. I also drank soy formula until I was 12 now they have soy milk out there which will be a help. Also they have Moca Mix ice cream and that was a God send to a child... Good luck and I wish you the best.

I am a career woman with six children (no allergies) and a wonderful husband of 12 years.

Ask your ped for a referal to a nutrionist(sp).

Hi D.,

My two year old has a severe peanut allergy also. She can't even be touched by someone who has handled say a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Your son has many more allergies to foods then my daughter does but I have kept a journal on what foods seem to set her off and which ones are ok. The allergist told us that if she comes in contact, her reaction will be immediate so I always have Benadryl and her epi pen with me. Maybe you could try some foods, journal which ones seem to be ok and then stick with those, while always being prepared with Benadryl for the ones the aren't ok. I'm so sorry you have to go through this. It is so scary and hard. I hope your son grows out of a few of his allergies and maybe someday soon, there will be a cure for food allergies!

D.,

My daughter had severe food allergies and we had to start from scratch. This is what we did: We started her on baby rice cereal with water for 2 weeks. (Gave her baby vitamins during this time). If no reactions, added baby green beans, waited 2 weeks, then baby carrots, etc. The doctor told us to stay away from tomato products, citrus, dairy and wheat products. We didn't even introduce those until she was over 2 years old. She is a happy, health 25 year old now!

Hope that helps.

L. :)