BF & Hives

Smithsmith · Feb 1st, 2012, 06:49 AM

Hi ladies,

I'm facing a horrid decision - I think breastfeeding is causing me to get hives

In the last three weeks I have started to suffer very badly with them, and they arent individual breakouts - its my entire body, so bad on my face I ended up in A&E. After going though dietary triggers or anything I could be having an allergic reaction to the docs think it is the hormonal release when bf.

I have been so proud to get to 8 months (almost) and really wanted to get to a year. The only saving grace I guess is that DD has started to self wean and is down to just 3 feeds a day.

Has anyone else experienced this or got any tips so I can continue?
x

RaspberryK · Feb 1st, 2012, 07:41 AM

Poor you, I would try and eliminate other things first i'm sure you already looked into changing your washing powder etc. i've never heard of getting hives from hormones... Haveyou googled it?
X
PS didn't think babies self weaned much before 18 months x

Smithsmith · Feb 1st, 2012, 07:59 AM

Yeah looked into washing powder etc, but the flare ups only happen after i feed so it seems pretty closely linked. dd used to feed every 3 hours until we started weaning and now she has a massive appetite for solids and only has a couple of big bf a day. so at least im not getting a flare up every 3 hours through the day!!

RaspberryK · Feb 1st, 2012, 08:45 AM

Yes it sounds like it could be linked then.

X

TigerLady · Feb 1st, 2012, 12:24 PM

I've never heard of this... but I can imagine how much it sucks!!

I am allergic to the cold (seriously, it's true.) It's mild now, but used to be severe. I would become covered in VERY severe hives all over (except my face) if I spent more than a minute or two outside in the winter.

The itching, burning, and pain was horrid!!!!

Have you considered trying antihisitmines? They worked to control mine. I ended up using Zrytec which is OTC now. Antihistimines are considered contra-indicated in BF only because they can cause a decrease in milk supply. But you can counteract that with fenugreek or other milk producers. And decreasing your supply a bit might be better than giving up all together?

Smithsmith · Feb 2nd, 2012, 09:31 AM

thanks so much for that advice, ill check out the otc medicines to see if there is anything i can take.
the flare up's are just horrible and I am at the point where i am dreading feeding because of the hives afterwards! so frustrating when you spend so long battling to bf - it sometimes feels like your body is trying to make life extra hard work doesnt it?!x

Feb 1st, 2012, 06:49 AM	#1
Smithsmith Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Leeds, Yorkshire Posts: 71	BF & Hives Hi ladies, I'm facing a horrid decision - I think breastfeeding is causing me to get hives In the last three weeks I have started to suffer very badly with them, and they arent individual breakouts - its my entire body, so bad on my face I ended up in A&E. After going though dietary triggers or anything I could be having an allergic reaction to the docs think it is the hormonal release when bf. I have been so proud to get to 8 months (almost) and really wanted to get to a year. The only saving grace I guess is that DD has started to self wean and is down to just 3 feeds a day. Has anyone else experienced this or got any tips so I can continue? x

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Feb 1st, 2012, 07:41 AM	#2
RaspberryK Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Northamptonshire, England Posts: 3,650	Poor you, I would try and eliminate other things first i'm sure you already looked into changing your washing powder etc. i've never heard of getting hives from hormones... Haveyou googled it? X PS didn't think babies self weaned much before 18 months x

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Feb 1st, 2012, 07:59 AM	#3
Smithsmith Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Leeds, Yorkshire Posts: 71	Yeah looked into washing powder etc, but the flare ups only happen after i feed so it seems pretty closely linked. dd used to feed every 3 hours until we started weaning and now she has a massive appetite for solids and only has a couple of big bf a day. so at least im not getting a flare up every 3 hours through the day!!

Status: Offline

Feb 1st, 2012, 08:45 AM	#4
RaspberryK Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Northamptonshire, England Posts: 3,650	Yes it sounds like it could be linked then. X

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Feb 1st, 2012, 12:24 PM	#5
TigerLady Mum (Mom) BnB Spammer Elite Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: In a Cave Posts: 23,047	I've never heard of this... but I can imagine how much it sucks!! I am allergic to the cold (seriously, it's true.) It's mild now, but used to be severe. I would become covered in VERY severe hives all over (except my face) if I spent more than a minute or two outside in the winter. The itching, burning, and pain was horrid!!!! Have you considered trying antihisitmines? They worked to control mine. I ended up using Zrytec which is OTC now. Antihistimines are considered contra-indicated in BF only because they can cause a decrease in milk supply. But you can counteract that with fenugreek or other milk producers. And decreasing your supply a bit might be better than giving up all together?

Status: Online

Feb 2nd, 2012, 09:31 AM	#6
Smithsmith Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Leeds, Yorkshire Posts: 71	thanks so much for that advice, ill check out the otc medicines to see if there is anything i can take. the flare up's are just horrible and I am at the point where i am dreading feeding because of the hives afterwards! so frustrating when you spend so long battling to bf - it sometimes feels like your body is trying to make life extra hard work doesnt it?!x

Status: Offline

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