Here is a question for any breastfeeding moms...

Scott, our third (no Ds), is breastfed. He will be 3 months old on 10/5 (Wow!). All three of my babies have been breastfed...and spitters. Sarah was diagnosed with Reflux, but Stephen(my first) was a "happy spitter." He just spit up often for the first several months...well past having baby foods.

I am just wondering...I don't remember Stephen or Sarah spitting up this nasty smelling curdled milk. I am wondering if it is what I am eating. Scott is definately getting enough milk. He is growing leaps and bounds. He has been the fussiest of our three babies, but that is under control now that I am on a dairy-free diet. Would it be spices? Onions/garlic, etc? Should I be on a bland diet? I didn't have to cut out spices with Stephen.

I guess I am feeling discouraged...having three...and all that's going on with Sarah's blood lately. I am ready to throw in the towel on the breastfeeding. I have already given up most of my favorite foods. Now spices? Feeding Scott with a bottle has been a challenge for our babysitters, as he definately prefers the breast. I can't imagine taking it away from him completely. What do you think?

Lisa,

You know me...ask a question and I'm quickly googling for answers!!! LOL!!

Seriously, what I read (and know about what you have said about Scott), it sounds like the spit may not be too serious of a concern. My good friend, Dr Sears (remember the crystals I found on Michael's diaper?!!) says alot on this web site:

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/10/T110225.asp

Maybe others with much more experience may have more to say, but I do remember being told that the amount of acid in the stomach varies from baby to baby.....yes, indeed, what you eat, such as spices, may effect Scott and that would be a trial and error. You know that we eat very spicy foods, but the one and only time Michael was effected was taco night! Eew!
Scott eats with gusto, right? Loves his milk? Perhaps he's just taking too much in at one time?

I'll catch up with you later to chit chat. Had I known you were up at those wee hours of the morning, I would have signed on! We had our own issues here as well. Let's just say that Michael is ticked that he's not going to school and to the pedi instead. Ugh!

Till later,
Moi

If he wets and pooh's regularly and is gaining weight, it is probably just common spit up. I read in my breastfeeding manual that ages 2 to 4 months is the peak of spitting up in breastfeed babies. So it may just be that! I would ask the doctor to test him for the milk allergy. If you have stopped your intake thinking it was that and it has continued, it may be a different allergy and he should be tested. I would not give up your spices just yet! Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Oh and I wanted to ask...is he getting a supplement or vitamin? I read this combined w/ breastmilk can cause spit up.

As long as he is gaining and all else is working I would not give up stuff you like, especially at the moment, and neither would I be trying to wean him off the breast. I breastfed my boy until he was 2. I seem to recall the stuff he spat up was pretty grotty. He stopped spitting up once he was upright and on the go (he walked at 8 months ) Talitha spits up totally undigested milk probably because she has had fairly severe reflux.

Unless you really want to stop breastfeeding I suggest you keep going and see how you feel once things have settled down with Sarah.

Don't give up breastfeeding Lisa, it will really help Scott in the long run and besides think of all that sterilising and bottle making

hang in there

Also if you still want to eat certain foods or drink certain drinks, eat them immediately before a breast feed or immediately after a breastfeed that way it doesn't have time to go through to your milk

Whatever you eat or drink usually goes through to your milk about 10% about 2-3 hours after you have digested it

Don't throw the towel in yet girl, you are doing a grand job