You’re desperately trying to help your little baby. You’ve bought and tried all the creams, joined the Facebook support groups, and are now cutting out food group after food group… quietly wondering if maybe it’s something in your breastmilk?
It can be incredibly upsetting to see our little ones in discomfort — scratching, unsettled, and not to mention the sleepless nights that so often come with it.
Firstly, it’s important to acknowledge the dedication and resilience parents show in their efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of their child.
In situations like this, breastfeeding mums can quickly find themselves restricting multiple food groups, with the number of ‘safe’ food options fast dwindling. This is a real problem. Excessive maternal dietary restriction can increase family stress, contribute to maternal nutrient inadequacies, reduce enjoyment of food, and have a significant social impact.
All of these factors — rooted in the fear that something in breastmilk is causing harm — can lead parents to consider the premature cessation of breastfeeding in favour of a ‘hypoallergenic’ formula.
Before you make that decision, I encourage you to reach out for support.
When it comes to eczema, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Supporting infants and families often requires time, nuance, and a carefully considered, individualised approach.
At The Naturopath’s House, we work with both an outside-in and inside-out approach.
Outside-in support:
- Considering other potential causative or contributing factors (such as household chemicals, clothing fabrics, bathing routines and skincare products)
- Repairing and supporting the skin barrier
- Improving skin flora
- Reducing skin inflammation
Inside-out support:
- Considering food allergies or sensitivities when clinically indicated, using a conservative and measured approach
- Identifying and correcting nutritional deficiencies that may impair skin barrier function, often achievable via nutritional support from mum to baby
- Assessing maternal dietary diversity, with an emphasis on whole foods to support gut flora and breast microbiota, with beneficial flow-on effects for baby
- Supporting infant immune balance and tolerance through targeted nutritional interventions delivered via mum in exclusively breastfed infants
- Supporting the body’s natural detoxification pathways
- Providing nervous system support for both mum and bub
Always step by step.
If you’re tired of walking this path alone, support is available.