Hi. I’m Jamie, a 12-year food allergy mom. I acquired this title when people didn’t know what food allergies were, when labeling laws were just emerging, before vegan was popular, and when the statistic was that most kids would outgrow milk allergies by age 2. It was a rough start for this new mom, no doubt about it.
Upon our food allergy diagnosis, I asked God to help me learn and to find a way to help others. It was my best way to cope, hoping that something of good would come from this. Fortunately for me, at the same time, the world of blogging was just coming on scene because writing a cookbook really isn’t in my skill-set. I’m a teacher, an encourager, a researcher, and an organizer of ideas and information. Hence, this blog called Milk Allergy Mom soon started.
So here we are a decade later, still with the food allergies but living a full and joyful life. And I want to write the blog post that I wish I had found when we first received our diagnosis. Advice for food allergy families. From a veteran mom in the trenches. I want to answer the question that I get asked so often from new allergy families. How do you live with life-threatening food allergies?
COMMON ALLERGY MOM INQUIRIES
“I found your blog through Google and noticed you had a Facebook page as well. I’m a tad overwhelmed at the moment and I’m so thankful I found you. My one year old son was just diagnosed yesterday with a dairy/milk allergy. I don’t even know where to begin. Is there anyway you can help me? It’s all new to me. I would appreciate it so much.”
“I came across your site when I was doing more research on allergies. My daughter was diagnosed 2 months ago with very severe cases of milk, egg, and dust mite allergies. I have no one to really talk to who knows what I’m going through or the anxiety I feel…I need advice. How do you cope? Milk is in everything!”
Can you relate to these mamas? I sure can. Sadness and grief. Overwhelmed about how to feed your child. Confusion over how to change your lifestyle. These feelings are all normal at first, but it does get better. I have some words of advice and encouragement that will hopefully help.
ADVICE FOR FOOD ALLERGY FAMILIES
EMOTIONS
Feelings of fear and anxiety are normal.
The anxiety subsides as you learn and fall into a life routine.
It helps to look at the bright side of food allergies.
FOOD
Start with real foods.
Then look into safe processed foods.
Next decide what specialty foods you will buy.
Decide if your whole family will change their diet.
Then learn how to cook allergy-free.
Eventually narrow down your shopping systems and your budget.
EVERYDAY LIFE
Stay inspired and keep learning.
Find a support system.
Start practicing food allergy life.
Be encouraged that this may just be a season.
KNOW YOU HAVE SUPPORT HERE
I truly believe God chooses the most diligent and capable people to be food allergy parents. So I know you’ve got this. And we can help. We’re in this together, friend.
Thank you so so so so much! 🙂 It really means everything to me.
Someday, I hope to repay you for your advice by sharing recipes/ingredients that I may find too. 🙂 Your blog is the best one I've read so far.
Again, thank you…. from Collin too! 🙂
http://www.michellelovesmike.blogspot.com
You definitely get used to cooking without allergens eventually so be encouraged. It is definitely a big change though – it was for us with dairy, egg and wheat to remove.
Libby, I admire those who have learned how to cut out wheat. I always felt like that was our one saving grace. But now, I am actually trying to learn it because I think I am intolerant and I am willing to bet that it is causing my other son's bad eczema. Thanks for chiming in!
I just found out that my 2 month old has a milk protein allergy and since I am nursing I am the one that gets to cut out all the dairy! It is VERY overwhelming and I was worried that I would have to wean him early but thanks to your site I feel like I CAN do it. I pray that he grows out of it, but if he does not then this time will be great practice for when he is eating real dairy-free foods. Thank you so much for what you're doing.
Laura Pyle
Hi Laura,
Thank you for stopping by. I loved your comment, it's exactly why we are here! I hear from nursing moms having to cut milk all the time. We are definitely about that transition from normal foods to allergy-free/whole foods. I'm glad we aren't overwhelming, which is our goal.
I have a giveaway coming soon from Justin's nut butters. If your Dr. gives you the clear to eat tree nuts or peanuts, their chocolate butters don't contain dairy and are delicious! I wish I had had that fix when I was nursing without chocolate! 🙂 I asked them to please do a giveaway for my nursing moms, LOL.
We are happy to have you. Sorry for the possible allergy. But you are right, consider this time practice just in case. You will be a pro and you might even enjoy it! 🙂
I just found your blog and have to say thanks so much!! I'm actually 25 and found out last week I have a milk protein allergy. They are guessing I won't outgrow it at my age anymore so I've been struggling with it! I actually LOVE to cook and bake and this has been a huge struggle. I so appreciate everything you post on here. Thanks so much!
Hi Ashley,
Thanks for visiting and saying hi. I'm sorry about the diagnosis. I hope you will hang out with us and learn more about dairy-free. It's not so bad, there are so many good substitutes these days. There are so many adults choosing dairy-free…you can do it. 🙂 We are on FB if you would like check us out there…I just had an adult say she was diagnosed this week too. Best wishes to you.
Really enjoying your blog! Might you be interested in an interview for a book on allergies that I'm helping my client develop on personal stories of families living with food allergies? Drop me a line if this sounds like something you'd like to be a part of: alex [at] prolancecommunications [dot] ca
Thank you for all the information on this site.I am 45 yrs old and just now find out i have a severe allergy to milk and milk products.It has been so hard finding stuff that i can have but this site has very helpful.Once again thank you
Jamie, thank you for this blog. My 1 year old niece was diagnosed at 9mos with a severe casein (milk protein) allergy. She's extremely sensitive to it (epi-pen for ingestion; hives/swelling requiring benadryl for skin contact). I found your blog while searching for dairy-free cake recipes for my daughter's birthday, so my niece can partake.
I'm wondering if you've come across any casein-free recipes, not just dairy free? Casein is actually in many more foods, the biggest culprit being CARAMEL COLOR. Caramel color is in vanilla extract (so I can't use your cake recipe), and it's in lunchmeat, syrup, packaged oatmeal, and so many more things. The list goes on and on. It's definitely overwhelming trying to provide a casein-free atmosphere so my niece can be safe around other children. Any suggestions? Thank you!
I wish I would have found this website three years ago when Infounf out for sure my year old daughter is allergic to dairy! It's has been hard as I have two teenage sons who have no allergies and love their dairy! I have gone to a simpler and healthier eating habits and have had to teach my daughter what and why she can't eat some of the things her brothers are eating. She starts school in the fall which again brings new challenges!
I am so glad I found your site, wish I would have found it three years ago! My daughter was diagnosed with a dairy/ milk protein/ casein allergy at one. She has an epi pen and has severe reactions to even the smallest amount. I am hoping she will outgrow it but no signs of that yet. It's hard as I have two teenage sons with no allergies and who love dairy! I had to cut out dairy when she was a newborn as I was breast feeding and the caseins would go through my breast milk! She starts school in the fall which presents some new challenges. She can't eat most sandwich meats as they contain caseins, and peanut butter is not allowed . I'm hoping to find some foods on your site to pack for lunches and snacks! The one good thing that has come from her allergy is that we eat much healthier and natural one ingredient foods! I'm excited to browse your site!
I went dairy-free while breastfeeding my son but he outgrew it by 9 months but my 1 year-old daughter has a more severe dairy, soy and egg allergy. I dislike almond and rice milk but recently discovered oat milk. I love it! I like to eat cereal again and it works better as a substitute for milk in recipes than other milks I've tried. The brand is Pacific and they also make a delicious hazelnut chocolate "non-dairy beverage". It's the only fake milk I will actually drink. TRY IT!
I think my daughter (18 months)may be allergic to milk; she has really dry skin /eczema all over. Should I cut out all dairy, or simply give her almond milk instead of cow's milk? I'm also concerned where she would be getting her fats from without any dairy.
Hi Aaron, you would want to talk to your pediatrician. Almond is a tree nut so you'd want to be careful with that. Depending on the age, an allergist might do testing for you. If you pop over to our FB page, we talk about this stuff all the time…with lots of parent feedback. 🙂 Thanks for the question.
I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of a child getting wheal hives from a milk allergy? thank you
Anonymous, this a good question for our FB page. We get many helpful answers there.
I'm so happy I just came across this website after searching so many others that really weren't any help to me. Thank you so much for all your helpful advice and positive inspiration.
Aw, thank you, Anonymous. That's always been my goal so I really appreciate your kind words. 🙂 Thanks for being here.
Hello,
I just want to say a big thank you for your blog. I’ve just stumbled across it. I have been an allergy mum (Australian) for just over 2 years now. The allergies between my 2 kids are dairy, egg, peanuts, cashews and pistachios. I’ve had numerous fails with trying to bake for them! So I’m excited to try some tested recipes from here.
It’s busy enough caring for allergy kids let alone creating such a wonderful blog so thanks for being so generous! I’m enjoying reading through it all.
Hi Maree! Your allergies sound a lot like ours. We outgrew egg and peanut, I hope that gives you some hope! Welcome! So cool that we can have allergy community from all over the world. Please let us know what you think of the recipes you try! I try only to post if the kids approved the dish, ha ha. Be sure to check out our Facebook page if you haven’t already. It’s such a great supportive group.
My 5 years old has a milk protein allery, egg allergy and is intolerant to wheat and almond and we didn’t find out until earlier this year. Not anaphylaxis but hard all the same. For 5 years she couldn’t pooh – 20 times a year, didn’t sleep, always complaining of tiredness and a non-conforming child at school and often thought of as being naughty. What a turn around!!! Poohs everyday, sleeps soundly for 11 hours, energized and in school -top of her class! Amazing. A shock to begin with but with the help of milk allergy mom and heaps of other facebook pages – things are looking up. Thank you all😊
Oh Louise, I’m so happy to hear from you! What a great turn-around. I can relate to your daughter because that’s been me my whole life. Chronic aches and medical mysteries. You are a good mama to help her figure this out before age 35 like me. 🙂 Things are definitely looking up for you. Food does so much! Hugs! And thanks for being here.
Hi!
I am so thankful I came across your blog! This post really touched my heart. I am currently nursing my 3rd baby and I recently found out she has a dairy intolerance. She is 3 months old, and while eliminating dairy has improved her symptoms. We are still not in the clear yet. I am learning every day what foods to avoid and what foods contain dairy. I do however think we are dealing with more than a dairy allergy. So I have removed soy from my diet as well. Would you recommend completely eliminating ALL possible allergy foods at once or doing one thing at a time?? It is so overwhelming not knowing where to start! I feel we have a long road ahead but I have faith that we can get through this. Praying God leads me to the foods I need to eliminate.
Hello, Mommy! So glad you found this post helpful. I would talk to a doctor or allergist to see what they recommend. But egg often goes with milk. Have you tried that? I had to cut soy, egg, milk, peanut, and nuts. You can do this and good job for being in tune with your baby’s needs. 🙂
Thank you so much! My favorite quote from you is, “I truly believe God chooses the most diligent and capable people to be food allergy parents”. I honestly believe that too.
I have an anaphylaxis peanut and tree nut allergy and my son has an anaphylaxis milk and peanut allergy. The nuts I have covered and feel confident avoiding but the milk allergy threw me through a loop. I’ve had to use his epi-pen 3 times (my husband says I jump the gun but I’d rather be safe than sorry) and my anxiety every time he eats goes through the roof.
I’m so thankful to have found this community! Thank you so much for all you do and all of your hard work!
We are so glad you found us, too, Teresa! It’s our pleasure to be helping and encouraging and facilitating such a wonderful community. Be sure to find us on FB. 🙂 And be looking for a new big announcement coming soon from Milk Allergy Mom. We would love to include you and your family.