It might seem like you’re constantly losing at a never ending battle when you start on your breastfeeding a baby with food allergies journey. Making the decision to go on that journey in the first place is a huge win that you should never let yourself forget! Because this journey is not for the faint of heart!

There are ups and downs along the road of breastfeeding with food allergies. You will have set backs due to new allergies or an unknown allergen intake. But it’s ok. No one is perfect, despite the many platforms out there telling us that we should be. We are human, and to err is human. You will have times that you feel an overwhelming sense of guilt because your little one is going through this, as if some how you are responsible. But it is not your fault. And you are doing everything you can to protect your little love and help them to the other side of these allergies. There will also be times that you want to throw in the towel. If you do- that is OK!! I promise that the world will keep spinning. If you don’t- “just keep swimming Mom!”

On the flip side, there will be days filled with healthy ‘free from everything’ meals that actually satisfy, days of pure symptom free joy, times when you want to pull out your mom card, raise it to the sky, and just scream “We Are Winning,” and moments of pride because you are being the best mommy you can be for your little one and you would do ANYTHING for them!! Not to mention all of the beautiful bonding time breastfeeding your baby.

Just keep your head up and know that all allergy mamas are either right there with you or have been exactly where you are now!

Here are some pros and cons that came to mind when I reflect on our journey. And despite the cons, I’m glad I chose this path.

PROS

– Your baby is getting countless amazing benefits from breastfeeding and breast milk
– Cleaning up your diet is healthy for you and baby
– Aids in losing baby weight
– Learning a different lifestyle of eating can spill over into the rest of your life (working out, cleaning up the husband’s diet,…)
– Adds to the bonding experience with your little one, because you two are on this road together
– Trying new foods and recipes can be fun
– Curbs pesky ‘bad for you’ food cravings (after a while)
– You will feel better (once you get past the hump of starting up)
– There is food out there that you didn’t know existed… and a lot of it is actually good

CONS

– You will be starving most of the time (or all the time of your like me)
– The same foods over and over again can get boring
– You will have food fantasies
– Eating takes some planning and researching
– It can feel lonely at times

From someone who has been on this road for a year now, trust me when I tell you that it will get easier. I know it doesn’t seem like it in the beginning, but it will!! You will get into a rhythm and navigate through food allergies like you never thought you would. You are a mom and that automatically makes you braver, stronger, and more capable than you know!! You’ve got this!!!