Is my baby allergic to my breastmilk?

Question

My baby has been throwing up for the past week and a half. At first, it was very small amounts at some feedings so the doc was not concerned since she had gained weight. It has increased. Last night, she couldn't keep any breast milk down and this mornning, she threw up yellow stuff.. We have an appointment with the doc today but I was wondering.. is it possible that she is allergic to my breast milk? She is only 2 weeks old and the first few days were fine, she had no problems.... it just seems that nothing helps.. we keep her upright after feeding her but she still looks like she wants to throw up.. she is just able to keep it down because we have her elevated .... and the vomit always smells. Could it be my breastmilk?

WE are consulting the doctor today but wondering if anyone has gone through this before? She also seems to weez when lying down and the vomt wants to come up but she just swallows it. I need help and I am so worried because she started choking on her vomit... it was yellow and the doctor said it was bile... that she had an empty tummy... I just need to know if other parents on here have gone through this.

Answer 1

It's not very likely at all that she's allergic to your breastmilk.

It does sounds as though there's a problem that needs fixing though.

If you want to continue breastfeeding, inform your doctor of that and insist on a referral to see a lactation consultant before introducing any formula.  If your baby does require formula, the LC will tell you that.

Many doctors go right to formula, when an IBCLC is trained to identify and safely resolve the problem.

Answer 2

I know two women who where told their child was allergic to her breast milk.  I don't know if that was really the issue or something they were eating, but I have heard of this before.  My one friend had it start at a couple of months old and her son was just throwing up all the time.  

Consult your Dr., but try to figure out what might be causing it before you stop breastfeeding.  I think in a way that some women use it as a way out of breastfeeding when they don't like doing it.  If you don't like doing it, then don't, but don't try to use excuses.  That is my opinion anyway.  Not saying you are, but some women do.

Good Luck!  

Answer 3

I never heard of babies vomitting their own mothers breastmilk.

At least, when it's drunk right from the breast.

In the frig.  stored breastfeeding can get a sour taste that babies don't always like.

Have your baby examined by the doctor.

Answer 4

Babies are never allergic to breastmilk. Never.  It's biologically not possible.

It IS possible that she is allergic to something you are eating that is getting into the milk and making her ill.  Or she might have reflux, or be swallowing a lot of air when she nurses.  

Do see the doctor, and see a lactation consultant. But if the doctor tells you your baby is allergic to your milk, seek a second opinion.  

Answer 5

NOt allergic to breastmilk. But can check with doctor.

TIPS:

It might be ,she had over dose of milk and she couldn't digest ,so took out,some babies does it attimes.

It might be that after feeding, you must have forgotton to make her burp by patting on her back.

Sometimes baby just vomit,if they are slightly uncomfortable from inside or have low-temperature or stomach infection.

Sometimes babies just vomit for no reason.(it should not be continious vomit)

See her food and water are hygenic.

Every parents go through this kind of troubles...there's nothing much to worry.Enjoy your parenthood.Its a wonderful experience.

Answer 6

I had to adjust my diet for several months..taking out dairy.  Got to say I'm not real fond of rice milk.....but when my son was 8 months he and I both started yogurt and cheese and all went well....just took a little time.

Try taking things out of your diet one at a time so you can pin point what it is.

I hear a lot about baby reflux, I just think it's odd that suddenly 3 babies in my mommy group are on meds for it..when I had never heard of it a few years ago.

Answer 7

It is EXTREMELY rare for a child to be allergic to breastmilk. She could be allergic to items you are eating. Typically diary, peanuts, treenuts, fish, eggs, wheat, shellfish and/or soy are problem foods.

Please follow through with your doctor.

If the problem is allergies your will need to eliminate foods from your diet. Be careful with formula it often contains these allergens and will not solve the problem.

Answer 8

There are many other possibilities besides an allergy...which would be to what you are eating or drinking that comes through the milk, and not the milk itself.  The yellow is just a sign that the milk is partially digested.  My baby did the same thing.

My little one spit up lots, almost every time she ate.  I also noticed that one of her vertabrae was more pronounced than the others...kind of a bump midway down her back.  I think this happened when she was born, as they twist the baby around to get them out.  

This bothered me (though my pediatrician said "when she gains weight, you won't notice it as much").  So I took my 3 month old to the Chiropractor.  He very gently held her with both hands and eased the vertabrae back into alignment.  It was like a switch went off.  She finally stopped puking at every feeding, and just spit up occasionally.  Now she rarely spits up.  The vertabrae that was out was the one that controlled her stomach/intestinal track.

Or, it could be a condition called pyloric stenosis, in which the top round muscle of the stomach is too tight, and the baby projectile vomits after feedings.  

If you are uncomfortable with the pediatrician's assessment, then go to another pediatrician.  I hate it when the just listen to me and say 'it's blah blah blah.' Without even looking, testing or anything.  I think they just medicate way too much now adays for things that may have other root problems.

Best of luck!  I know how frustrating this is.

~Gwen

Answer 9

wowza sounds like you are going thru a tough time.  First off...If your baby vomits alot the wheezing could be from aspiration or an irritated airway from constant vomiting... try and keep your baby elevated after feedings and at night to protect her airway. (Let her sleep in a bouncy seat, carseat or swing)  Check in with your doctor if she keeps wheezing or call right away if she gets a fever it may be pneumonia.  

Some babies have a lactose alergy... lactose is the milk sugar found in most animal (and human) milk products.  She also may simply have a sensitivity to something that YOU are eating.  IE: my oldest child woud spit up and get really coliky if I ate dairy products and/or garlic.  Once I eliminated those things from my diet nursing was smooth sailing. (Best to avoid food that are upsetting to your system IE: onions, broccoli, garlic, milk... foods that cause gas for you will be especially sensitive on little stomachs)

The most simple of explainations maybe that your babies esophogeal spincter is weak (the muscle to the stomach that keeps the food from coming back up)... IE: the reason that most babies spit up.  My recent child is a massive puker.... pukes all the time because of this reason.  Most babies do to some extent until the muscle is mature and better developed to hold the food down... others are more efficient pukers (like mine) and do far more than their share.

As long as they are gaining and having wet and dirty diapers I wouldn't be concerened.

I hope this helped... best wishes and congrats on being a new mommy :)  

Answer 10

Reflux, because the stomach secretions and bile are yellowish. I wouldn't stop breastfeeding for ANYTHING!! (unless doctor says so, which i doubt he  would) They will probably give the infant some medication and all will be well!