I have two children, the oldest child Ellie who is 4 has a dairy allergy. From the age of 6 months I was convinced that Ellie could not tolerate milk, my first experience of giving her custard at this age resulted in a fantastic display of projectile vomiting, with us both ending up in the bath! It took me until she was a year old to convince my health visitor that she had a problem, as she was my first child I did not feel in a strong enough position to stand my ground. She was duly given a hospital appointment where she was given a RAST test (blood test) which proved she had a Class 2 allergy to milk (moderate allergy).

Ellie was seen regularly by the hospital but as she is a healthy lively average weight child the visits were no longer seen as necessary. Unfortunately there is very little backup from the health
profession, my health visitor has never even heard of the RAST test. I have no idea of how long Ellie may have this allergy or if she can be re-tested under the NHS.

My main area of help came from a vegan friend who directed me to products she could eat. I would recommend the "Animal Free Shopper" from the Vegan Society that details exactly which brands of which foods are OK.

Your Views and Experiences

I agree with the lack of health service back up. My son was diagnosed with milk alleregy at 5 months of age (after weeks of me being called an anxious mum) the consultant allergist said testing was useless until my son was 2 yrs old, I had one appointment with a dietician who said my son was following the correct weight/height centile so whatever I was doing was working and to continue. I then received a letter to go back when my son turns 2!

Emma

The Animal Free Shopper, published by the Vegan Society, is a directory of products that meet their vegan criteria, as submitted by their manufacturers and retailers.

Also, Ellie has very few treats (dairy chocolate being out), and I wanted to be able to give her special things at Christmas and Easter just like her sister who has no allergy. There is an excellent company called D & D Chocolates, 261 Forest Rd, Loughborough LE11 3HT, Tel: 01509 216400 who make Easter Eggs, mini eggs, chocolate Xmas shapes for the tree and general goodies either in Dark couverture dairy & gluten free chocolate or Carob. I can highly recommend the Dark chocolate which tastes wonderful. Although expensive it's well worth the smile you get when she sees the treats hanging from the tree.

D&D Chocolates manufacture their own chocolate and products can be purchased via mail order. They specialise in Easter and Christmas products, but also offer a range of regular chocolate products. Click here for a full list of products and contact details.

My experience has been to trust your instincts, even if you are a first time mum. I have also, through logging onto your site "hopped" to "allergyfoundation.com" who seem to have lots of good information and a helpline where I can ask the questions I've always wanted to but haven't felt that I could ask my health visitor/doctor.

Lots of love Sheila of Welford!