Milk allergy moms...did you need to continue special formula

My DD turned 1 in May. She has been on Elecare since she was about 3 months old, because she was spitting up so much that she was not gaining weight. She never tested "positive" for a milk allergy, but this was the only thing it could have been.

Her weight is back to where it should be for the most part. She was still spitting up some, but it was definately dramatically reduced from even 6 months ago.

So just after she turned a year the GI doc said we could start to transition her to whole milk since she was doing better, and seemed to be handling things like yogurt.

She was drinking 6oz per bottle. I started by changing 1oz per bottle to milk and then gradually increased the amount of milk every couple of days. When I got down to 2oz of formula to 4oz of milk the spitting up got worse again. I went back to 3 and 3, and she improved. After a week, I went back up on the milk to 4oz and again the spitting up worsened. I called the doc the other day and they said to put her back on the Elecare 100%. They said that milk protein allergies are not always gone by a year and hers doesn't seem to be. So we should continue for about another 3 months and then try again.

Did anybody else have trouble transitioning their DC and have to stay on special formula past a year?

Re: Milk allergy moms...did you need to continue special formula

Bump

Re: Milk allergy moms...did you need to continue special formula

Anybody?

Re: Milk allergy moms...did you need to continue special formula

We took DS to an allergist to confirm an actual dairy allergy, not just milk proteins. After a year he transitioned to soy milk and had no problems.

If it were me I'd take her to an allergist as well. I'd rather have the test done and know for sure what she's allergic to.

Re: Milk allergy moms...did you need to continue special formula

I wish I had an answer for you, but we won't be dealing with this for a little while now.

DD is 6 months and we just found out that she seems to have a milk allergy. She wasn't tested for it, but the 2 times she had milk based formula, she threw up all over the place every 10-15 minutes.

She's actually doing fine on soy formula. My ped said to just keep with this and don't give her any milk products. We will revisit the situation when she turns 1.

I hope your DD gets better.

Re: Milk allergy moms...did you need to continue special formula

I'd get confirmation from an allergist.

Re: Milk allergy moms...did you need to continue special formula

By a year, my DD's milk allergy had not disappeared, however, my ped. had us switch to fortified soy milk since her soy allergy had disappeared. Is that an option for you? I just feel like if they're eating food, there's no reason to continue the formula. And my ped. felt the same exact way. She was eating all table food and he said, and I quote, "In other countries there are no cows. Why does she need cow's milk?" Obviously, he was kidding, but at the same time, he wasn't because he's right, how many other places don't have cows and their kids survive no problem, ha. Slightly simplistic view, but his point made sense.

Re: Milk allergy moms...did you need to continue special formula

Re: Milk allergy moms...did you need to continue special formula

I know most insurance companies stop paying for it at a year old. I hope that doesn't include your insurance company. DS is on Elecare too. He has such a severe milk protein/soy allergy that I am afraid to switch him when he turns one. He will be 8 months old in a week. So I have a little ways to go.

Re: Milk allergy moms...did you need to continue special formula

We weren't able to successfully transition until 15 months. We were able to transition to soy milk, then to Lactaid, then to whole milk. It took us a long time to transition, but my pediatrician gave us a "protocol" to follow that I think really helped. The whole transition process took us a few months, since he had us transition really slowly so her body could build up the things it needed to digest soy and milk again.