When you choose to breastfeed your allergic child you have to give up all the foods your child is allergic to, and yes this is not easy, but you have to do it anyway for the sake of your baby.  There are tons of benefits of breastfeeding your child vs fomula feeding, and for me it was the right choice.  I breastfed Julian for 25 months We started off with 6 foods that he was allergic  to, and we are now down to 4 which is great.

Julian is 3 years old now, as heathy as he can be,  and we  have Eli 4 1/2 months old who has shown signs of food allergies as well. I know for sure, Eli  can’t have dairy and fish, the rest of the foods that Julian is allergic to, i chose to keep them  from my diet till we get  him tested say around 6-7 months. His Dr told me he has to be exposed and get a reaction before they could test him – Meaning he has to eat some of those foods and react.

So, for the breastfeeding mom, who loves a particular food, you may have to give that up for the sake of your baby  and just try  substituting that instead.  This Sunday,  I watched my husband make the African Chai Tea ( Tea with Cream/Milk plus fresh ginger ) mmmmh Quite a delight, especially for the cold weather!  I can drink a whole pot of  that chai, but i can’t have that right now because it will make Eli sick. My substitute – black tea with fresh ginger,  and warms me still.

So, for you it may not be that chai tea, it may be that cheesecake, peanut butter sandwich,  omelet,  or pecan pie etc  You too can live without it -  Your baby wasn’t given that choice, but he or she is living with it.

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If you are a new mom, getting ready to go back to work and are worried sick how you can still keep up with nursing while working.  I did this  with my 3 year old, and now doing same with my 3 month old. This is what helped me out…

1. First get yourself a good electric , double breast pump this will make pumping much easier. I use a medela pump, they are quite expensive ($300), but worth every penny.  If you really look at it, fomula is not that cheap either.

2. Follow a schedule. If you pump around the same time daily your body gets used to this and you will end up needing to be away for about 15-20min at most.  I work 8 hours, initially i used to pump 3 times, but now i only need to pump 2x. I get 2 breaks and a lunch. So i use that time to go pump…so your boss won’t have any complains there.

3. Relax. When you  have a lot in your mind, you  are not giving your body a chance to let the milk flow out. So let all the stress go out the window while you pump away.

4. Think of your baby. This works for me all the time. I think of him smiling and laughing while i tickle his belly, the next thing i know is milk slowly coming out.

5. Don’t rush. If you still feel full, then pump till nothing comes out anymore. Remember the last milk that comes out …the hind milk…it is full of fatty acids. This is what fills the baby, and nourishes them as well. ( If you want to know if your baby is getting too much fore milk –the clear milk, almost like water that comes out when you start pumping or nursing, esp when your breasts feel full.. the baby’s poop will appear green )

6. Drink water. I have my 32oz  water mug from the hospital sitting at my desk at work, filled with water, then i have no excuse not to drink water throughout the day. You are pretty much hydrating your body, what better way to do it than with water.  No added calories, good for your digestive system, and many more.

7. Eat something. I eat small meals throughout the day, so am not starving. I snack on fruits or raw veggies.  When you have a full tummy you are  more likely  to pump milk.

8. If you are struggling with your milk supply, talk to your Dr about what to take to increase your supply. Oatmeal has always worked for me. I buy the quaker oatmeal  from sam’s club- has 55 packets, i always have some at work, just in case i need some, plus oatmeal is very filling.

9. Get your breastfeeding supplies. Have your bottles, storage bags, lanolin ointment for your nipples, nursing pads, and wear a good nursing bra or nursing tank ( i get mine from Target) and you should be ready to pump smoothly at work. Plus get the medela cleaning wipes..They will save you some time.

And .. just in case  you have chosen not to breastfeed your child, that doesn’t make you a bad mother… We are all different, as long as our babies are healthy and cared for, that is all that matters!

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