Food Reaction?

[Anonymous]

So hard to tell anymore what is a possible food reaction and what
not… So far we’ve done avocado, carrot, peaches and pear. Avocado
seemed to cause a strange rash on her forehead – doctor didn’t seem to
think related but went away (for the most part) within 2 days from
removing the avocado from her diet. No other noticeable reactions.

Next carrots – which seemed to be fine – although she didn’t seem to
love them. And she got more constipated on them. So we stopped those
after the 4 days too.

Then peaches – which she does like for the most part and seemed OK. So
we added in pears on Tuesday – to see if the combo would help her go.
She is going more often now – a few times a day. But all little pebbles. But seemed to be getting maybe a tiny bit softer late yesterday.

And thiis morning she woke up congested and with her rash looking worse
again (although not as bad yet). Again, only on forehead/in between
eyebrows and just above there.

Should I assume it is the pears and stop them? And just continue with
peaches and maybe carrots and try a new food Saturday morning?

BTW – when she first got switched over to Alimentum (from Neocate) she
was congested for 7-10 days and did have a bit of rash/acne. But it
cleared up weeks ago. Could it all be an adjustment period?

Not sure how best to handle.

Also, are peas a laxative food or is it only the P fruits?

[Anonymous]

I personally would assume that the rash is unrelated. Some kids have pretty sensitive skin. Hailey was very rashy until she was about 9 months old. I was like you and constantly thinking it was something she was eating. It could be the pears, you could pull them, see if the rash goes away and then start back up to see. I have a feeling she’ll just grow out of this rash problem. All of the foods I thought Hailey was reacting to she’s eating fine now with no reactions. And there was honestly a time where I thought she was reacting to every food.

The one thing I remember about peas is that they caused Hailey a lot of gas. She just couldn’t eat them until she was over a year. Now she eats them almost every day with no problems.

I can’t remember have you tried giving her prunes?

[Anonymous]

Thanks Stacey!

Yea, we’ve tried prunes but not in some time. Last time around they gave gas/cramps but we can certainly try again.

I’d also like to try barley. My sister’s GI doc swore by it instead of
rice or oatmeal for my neice who had mild-moderate reflux and was often
constipated as an infant (now she’s a toddler).

[Anonymous]

I have to say that food reactions are driving me crazy! It is such a guessing game and you never really know anything for sure. Tyler has gone really downhill over the last couple of weeks with all food, even his bottles and I couldnt work out why. Yesterday I think I finally worked out what it was. Two weeks ago he started on an iron supplement, all sorts of nasty colourings and flavourings in there! He also got his first tooth, so that didnt help the situation.

The only way that I can work out food reactions is to see what happens after I stop the food. If it is only a mild reaction then I keep going with the food to see if it gets worse. When I stop the food and things drastically improve within a couple of days then its a good chance its the food. After about 6 weeks we are allowed to try that food again.

I definately think that there is an adjustment period for new foods, but if things are still getting worse after a week, then I would probably stop that food, there are still plenty of others to try.

I think barley has gluten in it so be careful with that one, might help with the constipation though.

[Anonymous]

I’ve heard of others having problems with iron supplements too. Why
does he need one? Last I heard he was drinking plenty of formula.

Well for now I’ll stop the pears since no reason to keep giving them
and forge on. I have heard that about barley but know many who had
success so think will give it a try. Fingers crossed that it goes well.
After that am not sure – thinking maybe peas or blueberries. Hmmm.

Did you see the update I posted on blueberries and allergies?

[Anonymous]

He is drinking plenty of formula but his iron levels are still borderline. As he is not tolerating many solid foods, a supplement was the only option. I wasnt expecting a reaction to it though, now I have to retest the foods I have tried in the last couple of weeks to see if they were problems or not.

That is good about the blueberries, I will have to add them to my list. Other fruits that are good to try are watermelon and other melons and grapes.

[Anonymous]

Oh, I didn’t realize you had his iron tested – are they other supplements without as many additives for him?

Melons and grapes are interesting… How would you prepare/puree them?

[Anonymous]

I have to speak to our doctor, we might be able to use a half dose of an adult capsule. All the childrens supplements have some sort of colour or flavouring.

The grapes would need to be washed and then chopped finely, they are fairly soft inside so you probably wouldnt have to puree them. The melons would probably have to be pureed in a blender unless you could chop really fine or fork mash. I havent tried them yet, but grapes are really nice here at the moment so we might have to give it a try.

[Anonymous]

Could I use my chopper for the grapes or hand chop only? And red or green or does it matter?

Will keep that and melons in mind – although I guess not really in season right now. Good thing Whole Foods is here!

[Anonymous]

Yes you could definately put the grapes in the chopper too. I didnt think to ask about the colour, Im sure if it was an issue our dietitician would have specified.

We can usually get most fruits all year round, it is just a little more expensive when its out of season as it comes from overseas.

Good luck with the fruits!

[Anonymous]

Thanks again Amber!

[Author]

Posts