HIVES!

Decided to introduce infant formula to Sadie's taste buds, as it seems that mommy's milk is starting to taper off a bit, especially after being sick for a few days.  Boy was I in for a surprise/panic....not only did she pretty much refuse the formula (only drank a few drops of it).....but she also busted out in hives a few minutes later!  Poor girl was itchy itchy itchy!  I decided to take her to the doctor's office and of course by the time the doctor saw her, the hives were 90% gone -- great that the reaction was so short-lived, but good thing I had the "proof" on my iphone to show the doctor!  Doc said sometimes kids will break out in hives right before they get sick as their bodies react to the invading virus, but she said most likely Sadie is allergic to the proteins from cow milk (which she should/hopefully outgrow.)  Two days later - she's not sick, so I'm thinking it was definitely the formula.  Sigh....on to soy milk....

YUCK!

Not a happy camper, waiting for doc

4/29 - "Re-challenged" with formula, and sure enough --> hives again.  This time at least, we were equipped with the benadryl, so the reaction was under control within an hour or so.  Poor Sadie.  Just keeping my fingers crossed that soy won't be a problem as well.

5/8 - YAY for SOY!  She likes the taste and, more importantly....NO HIVES!  Only downside...the $$$!  Formula is crazy expensive, so may as well continue to nurse for as long as possible, and just supplement with formula.  Just to document the times: 1 container of formula from Sam's Club costs $29, makes 62 x 4 ounce bottles.  At 7 months old, she is drinking about 7-8 ounces 4-5 times per day....this means if exclusively on formula, the $29 lasts about 1 week!  Holy smokes!...that doesn't even count the cost of her solid foods either!  Bottom line: kids are expensive! LOL

5/13 - The battle with constipation continues, worsened by the SOY!  We've tried everything: first changed from rice cereal to oatmeal cereal.  Then tried apple juice and more water (which we have to sneak into her milk since she won't drink straight).  Then onto increasing intake of pears and prunes.  Then onto mineral oil, which did help but cannot be a long-term fix.  Now, going to try prune juice daily....  Need to get this under control because it is really heartbreaking to see Sadie push and strain while nothing comes out!