The next thing...

Well, everytime we think we're home free, something new comes up.

This week's crisis is that Samson has developed what looks like an allergy to cow's milk proteins, and that has resulted in bloody, mucusy stool, increased reflux, and severe colic. The cow milk proteins are passed to him through breastmilk after Mama has eaten her usual diet of 75% cheese & yogurt. So, starting yesterday we're back to square one on pumping milk full time and no breastfeeding. Samson will have to drink special non-dairy, hypoallergenic formula for a week or two while Mama goes on a strict non-dairy diet to detox. After that, we start again on the breast and see how it goes.

The trouble with the strict non-dairy diet is that there are hidden dairy products in lots of prepared foods, things you wouldn't imagine. Casein, whey, and anything starting with the prefix "lact-" is off limits, so any prepared foods with added protein-based thickeners are no-nos. Some foods that are labeled "non-dairy" still have some of these cow milk protein-derived additives. Also, many foods that do not have milk products in the recipe may be produced on machinery that also produces dairy-based foods, so they're off limits, too. No butter, no chocolate, no ice cream, no seasoned snack foods (bye-bye Nacho Doritos), no creamy sauces of any kind, and no fast foods, because you can't trust the restaraunts to tell you the truth about what's in their food.

The good news is that Samson has become a new baby since his switch to the gentle formula yesterday. He's crying much less and sleeping more, and we're getting to enjoy some pleasant times together. It's a relief to see him in a state other than discomfort and to get to know him when he's not in distress.

Another positive point is that most babies outgrow CMA and do just fine with dairy at 2-3 years of age. Samson may get to experience the joy of quesadillas some day...

Also adding to our relief is that our new doula, Veronica, started today. For four hours on weekdays through Christmas, we now have an extra set of hands to help with baby care and to give us some respite for a nap or a meal or chores that need doing. The doulas are experts on new baby care, breastfeeding, and special health needs like ours, so we can rest easy with Samson in their hands. This service ain't cheap (we're basically burning through our savings, or what's left before we start paying our share of the medical bills, and I don't even want to think about *that* figure...), but it is SO worth it in order to preserve what's left of our sanity. If anyone is thinking of sending a Christmas present to the family or birthday gift to Mama, please consider making a contribution to the doula fund.