What next?

I feel like I'm at a standstill. I don't know where to go from here. Kyle seems to be doing good on corn, wheat, and eggs, but we need to trial something else this week. I need to see a nutritionist, I need to get him to learn how to use a sippy cup, and I probably need to move him to a toddler formula. *sigh*

I just don't know where to go next? I don't know what food to try next??? I got a little spooked by his bloody stool episode, so, now I've just been sticking with the staples. Wheat, corn, eggs, fruit.

I think I might try a bean next. Any suggestions?

Am I a Vegan?

NO WAY! But, I just might eat like one. It's weird, I thought when I got back on Dairy that I would go crazy eating cheese, and more cheese, and more cheese along with yogurt and ice cream.

It's only been a week and a half, but still....things are weird.

When I go to the grocery store, I still stick with all my dairy free stuff. I have eaten vanilla yogurt and cheddar cheese and didn't care for either. Weird.

I also have not had ice cream. I don't want it. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm sure I still like that, but I don't crave it, and I don't want it after every meal.

I have enjoyed eating nutella again. YUMMY! And, having the flexibility to eat whatever I want at a restaurant, but it has made me realize something.

Dairy is addictive.

If you read some info. on Dairy and I would suggest this book:

You find that dairy is not the most wonderful thing in the world that we think it is. At least, not in the form we typically eat it here in the US.

This book is great because it not only is a cookbook with great recipes in it, but it also is basically a resource book on everything dairy, and everything about how to live dairy free. I love it.

Going dairy/soy free has also changed the way my family eats...in a good way. We cook more, and we eat less fat. And, I'm not craving pizza. Seriously.

In fact, I recently ordered this book (still haven't received it yet) off of Amazon that I'm really excited about....a VEGAN cookbook. Crazy. A year ago, I never would have entertained the thought.

I don't plan on becoming Vegan or Vegetarian, but my eyes have been opened and I'm going to stick with some of the changes I've made. No more cheese addiction for me. If you're just starting out with eliminating dairy...trust me, it does get easier. I did it for a year. I know.

Visit me at my other blog where you will find vegetarian cuisine and some dairy free recipes: The Cheating Vegetarian

Cross-Contamination

I haven't really worried about this issue too much since FPIES is not an anaphylactic IgE allergy, but now, I'm wondering. In my previous post, I posted about the fact that my son had bloody, mucousy stool again....out of the blue.

So, now that it is cleared up, and the episode seems to be over...why can't I let go? I can't. I hate the unknown. I'm that way in any aspect of my life, and I want to know what caused it!!

Lately, he's been eating a lot of Great Harvest Honey Whole Wheat Bread. Love that stuff. So good. Supposedly there are only 5 ingredients. I called my local store and spoke with the manager. He said there are no hidden ingredients, but there is a risk for cross-contamination with oats. Hmmm....so could that be it? I don't know??

I had another FPIES Mom tell me that if it doesn't hit her baby's stomach, then she didn't worry about it too much. Like, if your child picks up an M&M off the floor and pops it into his mouth, but then you get it in time...no harm done. Well, what if it is contaminated (only slightly) before it ever gets to you?

Oats are one of his major triggers. He vomited the very first time he ever ingested them. With rice, it took a little longer for the protein to build up.

It's so frustrating not having answers. What do you think? Does Cross-Contamination matter?

A little setback...OK, a big one.

Kyle had a setback last week.

I stopped nursing him on a Monday, and then by Friday, he had bloody, mucousy stool with extreme diaper rash! Sooo frustrating.

Possible suspects:

1. One sip of coconut milk

2. Fresh strawberries (although he's had jarred before)

3. a buttery green bean my daughter dropped on the floor.

It lasted for about 3 days, and now his stool seems back to normal. HOWEVER, I spoke with his allergist yesterday and he is suggesting waiting 6-12 months for the milk trial. UGH!!

So, not sure what's going to happen. I have to switch him to a toddler formula (more expensive) and meet with a nutritionist now...not covered by insurance.

This kid is going to break the bank before he's 2. But, it's not his fault, poor baby. But, it's a frustrating road. I had kind of hoped that he would try milk for the first time, love it and we would all be happily eating yogurt everyday. I guess so much for wishful thinking!

The trip to the nutritionist will cost $140 for a one hour session. Geez!

Bye Bye Breastmilk

So, I have officially weaned my son this week.

I have such mixed emotions about it.

He was gradually taking more and more formula and I just decided to take away that final feeding right before bed.

He is doing fine. I am not.

I am engorged, and feel sad. It's weird, because it's been 4 days since I nursed him, and I can now eat all the foods I used to love, and I feel a little lost. Like, a lifestyle I had been living for so long has now ended.

I also feel sad for not nursing, but I know it was the right time for me and him.

I feel like I can say I fought a good fight. I had no dairy/soy for a year and I was vigilant about it, so I could continue doing the best thing for my baby. Breastfeed.

However, why do I feel guilt when I am ready to stop?