Dairy Free Breastfeeding for Beginners: 6 Tips I Wish I’d Known

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That moment you first wonder if you need to be a dairy free breastfeeding mom–it’s pretty scary. Your baby is showing physical symptoms that suggest you may need to eliminate dairy, and it’s overwhelming to imagine feeding a new baby and making a drastic dietary change.

What You Need to Know About Dairy Free Breastfeeding

So many moms are confused by even the thought of dairy free breastfeeding. Here are the most commonly asked questions and the most straightforward answeres we can give you.

What does it mean to be dairy free breastfeeding?

A mom who is dairy free breastfeeding has removed all milk proteins from her diet so she can produce breast milk that is healthy for her baby with a milk protein allergy.

Why do people go on dairy free diets for breastfeeding?

Most moms begin a diet that eliminates dairy because their child is exhibiting signs of a milk protein allergy. Symptoms include blood or mucus in baby’s stool, excess vomiting, gagging, colic, or skin rashes. Parents start dairy free breastfeeding at the recommendation of baby’s pediatrician.

How is a dairy allergy in babies diagnosed?

If you suspect your baby might have a milk protein allergy, contact their pediatrician. A doctor will conduct a physical exam, in addition to asking you about your family’s history with allergies.

How long does it take for dairy to leave mom’s system?

According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, milk proteins will disappear from mom’s system within 1-2 weeks. Some sources say it may take up to 21 days.

Dairy Free Breastfeeding for a Milk Protein Intolerance

As a lifelong lover of all dairy products, this was like a punch in the gut! But we were young and hypoallergenic formula was expensive, so I was hoping to nurse as long as possible. This led me to a full year of soy and dairy free breastfeeding.

Symptoms of dairy allergy in a breastfed baby

Before you make any drastic moves, know that a true dairy allergy isn’t that common. In fact, only 2.5% of children younger than 3 have a true dairy allergy.

Here are some common signs you might need to talk to your pediatrician about dairy free breastfeeding:

- Mucus-y diapers - Blood in diapers. - Spitting up - Excessive gas - Upset for long periods of time -Skin allergies.

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