Could my baby be allergic to my breast milk?

Question

My 3 1/2 month old son recently broke out in a rash around his mouth and has had some watery stools. I know these are some signs of a allergic reaction but the only thing in his diet is my breast milk.

Answer 1

He could be having a reaction to something you ate. Everything that you eat and drink passes through from you to him through the breast milk. When you nurse, typically you have to test your diet to see what will and wont bother the baby. As the baby gets older you can eat more of a variety. Also if you are taking any kind of medication that can affect the breast milk as well. Or, he could have a yeast infection in his mouth better known as thrush. Is his tongue white? Do his stools have an odd smell to them? This is also a common thing that can happen to nursing and bottle feeding babies. I would call my pediatrician if after watching your diet he still has the runny stools. The rash should also clear up within a few days. But, like I said if his tongue is white, he needs antibiotics and to see a doctor.

I am not a professional, just learned from living like so many others. I had a very opinionated, intelligent mother in law that taught me a lot as well...
Take it how you wish...:-)

Answer 2

I had this happen to one of my patients and we determined that the rash and diarrhea started when she started drinking a couple of those yogurt smoothies (Nouriche, I think) per day. They have a lot of fruit (strawberries, pineapple,mango, etc) in them.

The baby was not sick otherwise and the rash and diarrhea resolved 2 days later once she eliminated these from her diet. I see many older babies that get a rash around the mouth after eating oranges or tomatoes. This does not mean they are allergic to them, the acid in them just irritates the skin.

Try to recall if you have eaten or drank anything different at the same time you noticed the rash and diarrhea.

Answer 3

It's only logical to look at your diet, then. Peanuts, wheat, cow milk, eggs, strawberries, shellfish, and soy are all common allergy foods. He could also be bothered by an acidic food like citrus or tomato based foods.

Pay special attention to any vomiting, fussiness, or extra painful gas. If you notice those combined with diarrhea, call your pediatrician. You can do an elimination diet to see is certain foods do NOT cause his rash. Check his tongue too, sometimes the tongue will swell when allergic to something.

I wish you the best!

Answer 4

Have YOU eaten anything different? He could be allergic to something you ate, it will show up in your milk. It could also be an alergy to a new soap or lotion, or even something you're wearing. It's amazing all the things you have to be so careful about when you're breastfeeding:) You may want to ask the pediatrition about it too, just in case it's not an allergy.

Answer 5

A rash in the mouth is usually what's called thrush. Thrush is like a infection in the mouth it is passed from mothers breast to child. You should take your son to his pediatrician

Answer 6

He could also be having a reaction to something that you ate. Have you had anything new recently? My son got a reaction to peanuts when I was breast feeding.

Answer 7

maybe you ate something unusual and he is allergic to it. just watch what you eat for the next couple of days. maybe you'll be able to figure out what he is allergic to. if the rash doesnt go away soon go see a doctor.

Answer 8

I would say it was something you ate...You can't have peanuts, strawberries, caffenie, high sugar, spicey food, coffee, soda..and so on...You should just move to formula..so the mixture of the milk is the same at all times. It differ's too much in your own diet.

Answer 9

Not exactly to your breastmilk but probably to something IN your breastmilk--something you ate. Peanuts, strawberries, spicy foods, etc.

Answer 10

no. there is absolutely, positively no way that he could be allergic to your milk. this doesn't happen.