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Milk Allergy and "Baby Rash"

Anaily • Sat, Jul 30 • <3

I had an interesting experience with my LO. She lost a bit of weight the week after her birth, and was a bit dehydrated, I was exclusively breastfeeding - so the physician suggested supplementing with formula. I agreed and began supplementing immediately. We saw a slight change, as she was eager to drink the formula and it seemed to help her stay hydrated properly with her new appetite.

However, shortly thereafter a red bumpy rash began to form on her face. The follow-up appointment was her 2 week checkup, and the physician assured us that the red rash was merely "baby rash" and highly common. While I trust doctors and their medical training, I still had a feeling that there was something else at play other than typical newborn skin fluctuations.

We continued as directed, with formula and breastfeeding, with no issues for approximately 3 weeks. Then at around 5 weeks, suddenly we had a diaper almost completely saturated with blood. After rushing to the ER and having a pretty traumatic episode of watching them fail to place an IV (3 times!), an abdominal ultrasound, and some blood work, we ended up being transferred to the local Children's Hopsital.

The attending physician was awaiting our arrival at the hospital, and within moments he concluded that she had a few anal fissures, likely from the strain of passing formula and breast milk - due to a milk protein allergy.

He recommended Nutramigen, as it's formulated specifically for babes with milk protein allergies - and is easier on their tummies. She seemed to love the new formula, and continued to improve through the evening and the next day. We were discharged at the end of the next day, since the bloody stools had completely stopped, and she seemed to be doing well.

Her rash cleared up within days, and her BMs were consistent and seemed to be a bit easier to pass. She is doing much better, and has completely healed from her issues with the milk protein.

I took this experience as a lesson to trust my instinct! As a FTM, I was willing to trust that everyone else knew better.. But, from the beginning, I suspected something was off due to the rash. Trust yourselves!

Here's a photo of my babe on her way to the Children's Hopsital. While I was scared for her at the time, I knew I needed to photograph that adorable face in that enormous stretcher.