We got to meet the actual doctor this time (only saw her PA last time), and she sounds really educated on the under-acknowledged connection between a child's gut, toxins, and their immune system, i.e. susceptibility to conditions like ADHD, Autism, Auto-immune disorders etc. And she's not all hippied-out either; she's knowledgeable and supportive of medicinal benefits as well as dietary and holistic methods. If you are interested, her practice is here, http://healthykidspediatrics.com/resources/healthy-kids-videos.aspx where she has videos/webinars posted about it all. I just started watching this- -she practiced for her first 10 yrs as a traditional doctor, only crediting medication with health, but after her cancer diagnosis 5 yrs ago, she began looking into alternative methods, which has resulted in her practice being "integrated" with both traditional/holistic methods.
Anyway upon looking at Frankie she immediately noticed he had a rash all over. I know he has some baby acne, and it gets red and ugly when he's upset, but there were some very subtle red dots on his belly and legs too. She asked if he was gassy and he is, and she said his poop shouldn't be stringy like it is---he cries and struggles to fart/poop sometimes, just like Olivia did. We always thought it was just normal baby colic etc. I realized L & O may have had these allergies and no other doctors paid attention to things like that. But the doctor told me it's obvious he has an allergy to something in my milk--something I am eating. She said the most common culprit is dairy. We have only used almond milk for the past year or so, but I do consume a lot of cheese, and butter. So I am officially starting a completely dairy-free diet. It is kinda hard because most baked goods have dairy in them, and virtually anything delicious has CHEESE. But I feel so guilty to have caused him pain all this time and want to also get myself healthy. We talked for a while and she encouraged me to eventually start a more Paleo diet and gave me a general list of "green light, yellow light, and red light" foods. That will have to be a more gradual learning experience to make it a true lifestyle change, and not a temporary diet.
I have decided to make her L & O's pediatrician also, so I am filling out all their paperwork. I know they watch too much tv, don't get out enough, and their diets are pretty bad. I know Lucas has horrible sinus problems like me and probably some allergies we should know about--he has red circles under his eyes and congestion and his breath smells like he has post-nasal drip like me too. So I am anxious to have them seen, and be shamed into fixing all of our family's health. John seems accepting of trying this new diet, and I hope we can find some worthy substitutes for the things the kids like. It will be expensive and the stuff will be in stores Sprouts that we never go to, but the cost will be offset if we stop eating out---not to mention seeing our kids all being healthier.
So first things first, I am eliminating all dairy from my diet for 3 weeks, to see if Frankie is allergic to it in my milk. If not, then we will have to move on to wheat/grains (which will be even more difficult...cereal is my favorite meal). We will see. Hopefully when we start this new diet, John and I will lose weight too.
The last thing I asked the doctor was her position on vaccines. I told her that L & O were on selective schedules, and that previous doctors were not supportive of it. I told her that it's not an issue that I would ever argue about because I don't know enough about it and can't ever be sure what the right answer is..All I know is that I am responsible for my baby either way; if he gets sick with mumps, or sick from a vaccine injury. Frankie hasn't had any yet. The doctor said she believes they are used too early and too many are given and that in the wrong baby, they can do damage. She said she wouldn't vaccinate Frankie at all as he is now, because due to his allergy, his gut is only functioning ~70% and wouldn't handle the vaccine well enough. That gave me confidence in her, and I wished I had her earlier on with L & O. I hope we fix all our guts soon--and that its noticeable. I am now taking probiotics which Frankie also gets through my milk. If you get them, be prepared for some diarrhea at first, which is "resetting" your gut--but also make sure they are dairy-free. Hope to see some improvements soon!
here are some new pictures:
This was the other night--playing Chutes & Ladders--Lucas gets so upset when he loses lol.
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