OK #1..Relax. Deep breath..read on
#2..I was covered in eczema from the time I was a few months old..yes I was bottle fed milk based formula..my brother and I were both diagnosed with "allergies".He, my dad and my cousin had asthsma and the dreaded "Peanut" allergy as well as hay fever and animal dander allergies dust mites,etc.(both of us) In the "olden days" any allergenic or sensitive baby's mom was told the same thing..one bath a week, no egg, and moisturize (petroleum based of course).
Then I had kids. I decided I was going to break the cycle. Hell or high water I was going to nurse my babies as that seemed the best defense.(no it was NOT easy at first, my bleeding nipples will agree) Guess what? my 8 lb 13
oz First baby girl was having explosive green poop at 2 wks pp, DR said to eliminate DAIRY from MY diet!! What? So I began a VERY long delve into dairy research..(btw, that took care of the green poop asap!)And came to the (DUH) realization that that we force feed our children a protein that we are not able to process well. Think about it. Dairy Association,Beef Association..It really is ALL about $$. WE DO NOT NEED COWS MILK NOR DO OUR CHILDREN!! crazy aint it?
When I weaned my first(I was alreay preg w/ my 2nd) she went straight to soy. No probs
My second was smaller..7lbs 6
oz (dr thinks she was early) but built like me..petite..and SUPER DRY..rashy skin. could easily turn into...eczema. I have found that fruit and veggie oils(olive,coconut)work better than ANY commercial lotion..and if you have town or city water, put a filter on the bath,shower,faucet!
My chilren are very healthy heights and weights..They are 5 and 6 yr old girls. yes they drink cows milk and eat cheese but I don't make them.(Dad is 300lbs and thinks I'M nuts sometimes, he eats whatever junk he wants).they love choc. soymilk, water, juice (real) just as much..so when the Doc says "are they drinking milk?" I just smile and say "Some!" It is not an issue..no growth probs, no develpmental issues, NO ALLERGIES!
I have over the last few years been into holistic nutrition..after 20+ yrs in the restaurant business(God help me)and I have explored different paths to heal myself..( I am a normal weight)I have finally exaulted in the gifts that a mostly "paleo diet" have given me..no more itchy, rashy skin..better mental function, better energy in general. It just feels RIGHT to eat what nature and genetics already have us programmed for..meat,veg,fruit,nuts and seeds. Dairy optional. Fat encouraged. GRAIN BASED FOODS PROHIBITED (ANOTHER HOT ECZEMA TOPIC ALTOGETHER)
#2 Which leads me to...What if we NEVER put our babies on rice cereal or formula? what if we went from the breast to bites of our own food? I really think that MOST of our pediatric medical/developmental issues can be traced to the NORM..which is totally alien to OUR DNA!!
ANYWAY..sorry for the wicked long post, just thought I could spare you some bumps along the road...and you should probably look into a new DR. They do love to write RX's for expensive eczema creams for a reason you know..if only the were concerned about the root of the problem..(no $$ for them!)Life could be easier!
Trust yourself. You KNOW intuitively (if you are not brainwashed)what is best for your baby...when NOTHING seems to be working..do nothing at all. Bathe your baby in pure (at least filtered) water and nothing else..and watch with your own eyes the improvement..
Excema is not life or death (although it does have consequences)
Don't beat yourself up about breastfeeding..you CAN get your baby OFF milk and formula an onto REAL FOOD
The food pyramid? Trash it for non allergenic kids. It is funded by conglomerates..Is there a national veggie association on there? NO
Best of luck...Juliemama