I’ve been heavy on the dairy-free posts lately because it’s such a big part of my life these days. If you’re new here, I’m dairy and soy free to determine if my breastfeeding son has a sensitivity.
Jasmine Jafferali is a Chicago-based wellness consultant who is helping me on my dairy-free journey. She agreed to answer some questions on my blog. Q&A Part 1 is here.
I have no allergies in my family. So why do we suspect that Tristan is affected by dairy?
We all have a sensitivity to certain foods, it just comes out more than others to a point it disrupts our daily lives. Many of our babies’ health goes back to our own preconception diet. We are all deficient in many vitamins and minerals, yet we do not know what they are since it is not a common practice to get a panel done by doctors. Our food sources lack important vitamins/minerals, medications can deplete them, stress, environmental can all have an effect on our health and how we pass it down to our children. Many illnesses and diseases can be decreased if we just knew what was going on inside our bodies. I feel if we are not well nourished, then it compromises our ability to nourish our growing fetuses. We already know the vitamin D3 deficiency link to preclampsia, gestational diabetes and other prenatal health conditions. So it makes sense and is only the beginning.
Does this mean Tristan can’t have dairy when he’s old enough to eat?
It will be trial and error while you are nursing him. Add it back in your diet in small amounts to see his reaction and how much he can tolerate. He may grow out of it at 12m, 18m, hopefully by 3yrs of age, but there are so many wonderful dairy free options, that it is hardly missed. Milk allergies and sensitivities are the number one allergy/sensitivity in America, peanuts just get more attention because of the severity of many reactions to peanuts/nuts. If at 12m, he is still sensitive, then we can work together and use the formula I use for my kids and have given to other moms. There is also a recipe in the book What’s Eating My Child? that is quite similar to what I use since I had my daughter.
Why not just get Tristan tested for allergies?
It is hard to diagnose. Most babies are tested through stool samples. There are pediatric allergists that will do this in Chicago.
What vitamins or supplements do you recommend for breastfeeding moms?
I strongly recommend a food-based prenatal vitamin, probiotic, Vitamin D3 and Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega + Vitamin D3. For an energy boost, an Emergen-C packet after lunch.
Past Posts
I’m going dairy free.
Dairy free — Day 1
Dairy free — Day 3
Dairy free — Day 9
Q&A (Part 1)
My favorite dairy and soy free foods
