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Hi Kris! I'm Joy, the manager for the site.
You should talk about a feeding strategy with your doctor or an allergy specialist as soon as possible.
Breastfeeding is recommended for infants as old as 18 months, though the U.S. Surgeon General generally recommends breastfeeding to 12 months. There have been studies extolling the virtues of breastmilk and it helping to prevent asthma and alleries in children.
But in the case of a child with food allergies, there are some difficulties. Women who continue to breastfeed a milk-allergic child will likely have to follow a strict diet that eliminates all dairy products. The trouble with that is, you'd be surprised where cow's milk, butter, eggs and all that might show up (bread, pasta, cookies, even some meat!). A woman in this position may need the help of a dietician to make sure she replaces all the protein and nutrients she and the baby need.
If your doctor recommends that you stop breastfeeding, you may be advised to use soy-based formula. But soy is also one of the top eight food allergens in the U.S., so be doubly sure your child isn't allergic to soy. If your baby is, then you may be advised to use a "hypoallergenic formula," which can be three times more expensive than
milk or soy formulas. Don't worry too much though, a very small number of babies are allergic to both the milk and soy formulas.
Bottom line, sit down with a doctor and prepare a plan. Take this information with you and ask as many questions as you can. If you have any more questions, feel free to come back to us!
Joy