milk allergy and ear infection? - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

Hope2Heal · 04-26-2007, 09:05 AM

Hi all

I have posted a few times about my baby being constantly sick with colds, sinus infections and ear infections. He is formula fed and in daycare. I am taking the summer off with him as I teach. So I am hoping that will show some improvement in getting sick. However I am starting to wonder if that is maybe only half the problem. a few weeks back I had spring break and kept him home. During the 9 days home he suddenly developed a very bad cold (while still on antibiotic for ear infection) and cough, I had to take him to urgent care. At that time he was not exposed to any other children or babies and was mostly at home. I am starting to research cows milk allergy. My doc says no definetly not, but I am not one of those people who believe every word the doc says. He is a great doctor and listens to all of my concerns and is doing his best to help my baby. His view is that the baby is too young to be diagnosed with allergies. My baby is 8 months old and is eating 3-4 meals a day of solid food. I also recently introduced yogurt. He has been sick since 2.5 months old,before he even started daycare at 4 months. They are starting to talk about tubes in ears and I want to try everything else first before resorting to surgery. I am curious as to other moms/dads opinions or experience about milk allergy. I am thinking of trying him on soy formula. Thanks for listening.

athome1 · 04-26-2007, 10:10 AM

My son was diagnosed with a milk allergy when he was only about 2 months along. I was breastfeeding and had to stop eating and drinking all milk products. It helped control his runny nose. I was ALWAYS covered in snot b/c his nose was always running and he was wiping it on my shirt when I held him. When he went on formula, I had to use soy. His crankiness seemed to go away as well as the runny nose and constant ear infections. He also has terrible eczema and dry skin all over. When on the soy, his skin seems much much better. He is now 2 and the allergy isn't as bad now and he can drink milk. Hope this helps!!!

MissChicopea · 04-26-2007, 06:00 PM

Babies can absolutely have allergies that young. Adults have a hard time with dairy because our bodies aren't made to digest cows milk effectively, so imagine a wee one. I'm glad to hear you investigating it further.

BioAdoptMom3 · 04-26-2007, 08:30 PM

I agree that it is possible to be diagnosed as a baby with a milk allergy. I think you are wise to try eliminating that before proceeding with something else, but do keep in mind that it is rare. Our DD also had constant ear infections which continued as well during the summer and school breaks when she was out of daycare and with me (36 in three years and no, that is NOT a typo) and ended up with tubes for the first time of three times (because whenever they would fall out it would get worse again) when she was 13 months old. It was a minor, ten minute procedure and it made a world of difference for her. She still got a couple ear infections with them in, but there was less pain because of the drainage and we were able to use ear drops rather than oral antibiotics to treat them. She had no restrictions at all, not even swimming.
So, if milk or another type of allergy is not discovered tubes can be an effective and VERY SIMPLE solution.

Nancy

dizzygirl · 04-27-2007, 09:59 AM

My half sister has an allergy to dairy in general. Her symptoms are much worse, but she also gets a runny nose, mucous comes out of her eyes, and her throat closes. The best thing for you to do, is take her to an allergist and have her tested, that way you know. The severity of the allery can change dramatically overnight, so I would be very careful.