Hello mama friend, I’m so glad you stopped in today.
If you’re looking for some encouragement on your food allergy adventure,
you are in the right place.
At Milk Allergy Mom, we are happy to help!
I’ve been a food allergy mom for over 14 years.
Still, some days are harder than others, but one thing is true.
It gets easier with time and experience.
And when you’ve got a supportive community behind you, it’s even easier!
Here, we’ve been building the positive, encouraging community I wish I had over a decade ago.
And we would love for you to be part of it.
The first thing to know, friend, is you are not alone.
I get messages from stressed new allergy moms all the time, like these.
“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.”
Or this one…
“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!”
Sound familiar?
See, my friend, the stress is completely normal.
Sadness and grief.
Overwhelm about how to feed your child.
Confusion over how to change your lifestyle.
These feelings are all normal for new food allergy mamas,
but hear this…
it does get better.
So let me encourage you today.
I’m Jamie, a 14-year food allergy mom myself.
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.
But online blogging was just becoming a thing,
and I quickly realized I needed an online community for support.
Hence, this blog called Milk Allergy Mom was born in 2008.
It’s always been my goal to provide exactly what I wished my family had right after our diagnosis,
online help that makes allergy life less stressful and a whole lot better.
And one of the first things I needed, was a quick list of advice to propel me forward.
Here’s what I wish someone had told me all those years ago to set me up for success early.
3 ENCOURAGING TIPS FOR FOOD ALLERGY FAMILIES
EMOTIONAL TIPS
Feelings of fear and anxiety are normal.
The anxiety gets better as you learn, practice, and fall into a new life routine.
It helps to balance fear with looking on the bright side.
Limit your time online to people and organizations that best help you.
Don’t hesitate to seek professional therapy if the overwhelm does not get better.
FOOD TIPS
Start with real foods.
Then look into safe, mainstream processed foods.
Next, decide what specialty foods you will spend money on.
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 TIPS
Stay inspired and keep learning from legitimate allergy sources.
Find a true support system locally and/or online.
Keep fine-tuning and adapting your food allergy lifestyle.
Find an allergist who will help you meet your life goals safely.
Be encouraged that this may just be a season.
And know that no matter what, this is do-able.
KNOW YOU HAVE SUPPORT HERE
There are many ways to get plugged in at Milk Allergy Mom.
We can’t wait to join you on your adventure!
Get Recipes: allergy-friendly, simple, kid-approved recipes right to email
Shop Milk-Free: our dairy-free shopping Facebook group
Join Our Tribe: our online member library and support group
Michelle says
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
Diane says
Dear All
Please could I join the private group? I am really struggling with two toddler kids with dangerous tree nut allergies. Am blaming myself and am crippled with fear. Pls do help.
Thanks
Diane
Jamie Kaufmann says
Hi Diane, please don’t blame yourself. We would love to encourage and support you in the private group! You can get more info at http://www.milkallergymom.com/jointhegroup. Hope to see you there. xoxo
Libby says
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.
Jamie Kaufmann says
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!
Anonymous says
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
Jamie Kaufmann says
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! 🙂
Ashley A. says
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!
Jamie Kaufmann says
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.
Alexandra Moore says
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
Anonymous says
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
Jen says
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!
Erika says
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!
Erika says
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!
Nikki says
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!
Aaron Stocks says
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.
Jamie Kaufmann says
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.
Anonymous says
I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of a child getting wheal hives from a milk allergy? thank you
blogging says
Anonymous, this a good question for our FB page. We get many helpful answers there.
Anonymous says
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.
blogging says
Aw, thank you, Anonymous. That's always been my goal so I really appreciate your kind words. 🙂 Thanks for being here.
Maree says
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.
Jamie says
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.
Louise moffatt says
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😊
Jamie Kaufmann says
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.
Mommy Knows Chaos says
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.
Jamie Kaufmann says
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. 🙂
Teresa | Simply Made Fun says
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!
Jamie Kaufmann says
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.