When my son was about 2 months old, we realized he had an allergy to milk. He was breastfed until he was almost 1 year old and never had a problem when I drank milk. Our pediatrician maintained that he couldn't possibly be allergic to milk - insisting that I must have changed laundry detergent or that he had played on the grass - seriously!?! I would know if either of those things happened, and they didn't!
He had a couple violent reactions to products with milk in them {including formula} that I decided to go see an allergist! He talked with me, examined my little guy, and sent us for some blood work. A couple week later we got our confirmation!
At 1 year old his results came back - on a scale of 0-4, he ranked 4 in milk, 2 in eggs, and 2 in peanuts!
It has meant an extreme lifestyle change for us! I do a lot of baking and cooking from scratch. I read every grocery label in the store before placing an item in my cart {people look at me weird and think I must be a health freak!} My family has switched to rice and soy milk - except for me... can't stand the soy milk! We no longer enjoy macaroni and cheese - unless he is asleep. My days of cheesecake, ice cream, and peanut butter sandwiches are gone.
BUT, I have learned how to adapt recipes so that my little guy can eat them - and they are yummy! I have found health food stores that carry granola bars and cookies that he can eat - which we take on road trips. I have become much more organized and keep a much cleaner home! Yay! I also carry a pouch in my purse/diaper bag containing epipens and Benedryl. It is a magic bag!
At 2 years old he had another round of blood tests hoping that allergy levels went down. The results came back: 4 in milk {same}, 3 in eggs {up}, and 1.5 in peanuts {down slightly}.
So, everyday I am grateful for my special little guy. When I see him enjoying a food, I smile! He is a joy in our family and we are so thankful to have him. PLUS, I think we will all be a little more healthy for it!
Here are some allergy website for anyone interested in learning more or finding allergy-free recipes:
