LittleBrother went to the doctor yesterday. I finally called the doctor yesterday morning. Why? Since adding whole milk to his diet, things have been rather loose with regard to bowel movements. Loose and frequent. That combination then resulted in a pretty nasty diaper rash which we couldn’t get ahead of with any number of different ointments. For awhile we suspected BigBrother has brought home some intestinal bug. But as the days turned into weeks, that didn’t seem to be the case. And so, I called.
We suspected a milk sensitivity/lactose intolerance and not a full-on dairy allergy as he’d had no problem with dairy through my breastmilk nor other smaller bits of dairy. Once the doctor asked a billion questions and did a thorough examination, our suspicions were confirmed. Lactose intolerance. While he sounded optimstic that children often outgrow such a diagnosis, right now the facts were that the child needed an altered diet. I asked questions, got answers and made my way back home feeling very overwhelmed.
Upon returning home, I made a quick tweet about the diagnosis while I pulled up some tabs for research. And suddenly the help started pouring in from all over the world. I got replies and direct messages from my twitter followers with all kinds of tips, advice, ideas and follow up questions. With each message, I was learned something new. What had felt absolutely overwhelming just over an hour before was being transformed into bite-size nuggets of easily digested information. It was amazing.
@Sarakenobi let me know that she was once lactose intolerant and is no longer. And @iKrissi told me that her son actually overcame a pretty big allergy and can, mostly, tolerate milk now. Those short stories? Gave me hope! Some people, like @liberty4all reminded me that almond milk was an option if rice and/or soy didn’t cut it for LittleBrother. People like @DowntoEarthMama and @Military_Mama told me where to look for goat’s milk and cheese. @Cberbs gave me a fabulous resource: GoDairyFree.org. And that doesn’t count the number of kind-hearted, empathetic and/or sympathetic comments from those that have endured similar things with their children or simply know how difficult it is to know something is “wrong” with your child.
Let me tell you: those messages meant the world to me. Having all of that information given to me, without even asking for it, in small bits and in such a supportive tone was absolutely amazing. I now not only am less freaked out but I even have a somewhat positive outlook. I say somewhat because it’s still big and new. But, at the same time, thanks to those who have rallied around us, I know that we can get through this new thing. We can and we will.
LittleBrother, of course, is just as happy as every other day. He doesn’t know anything is different just yet. It would be one thing if he didn’t like whole milk. But he does. And so he’s going to be sorely disappointed when his next cup of ice cold milk doesn’t taste just right. I’ll keep you updated on his progress.
As always, if you have tips, trick, recipes and general advice, please inundate me. Thank you in advance!