When I started the MSPI journey, dairy and soy elimination seemed doable, leaving me “plenty” to eat. As time went on, I started noticing that his diapers were not getting better and occasionally were getting worse. To be fair, I understand that it can take about 4-6 weeks to clear all of the milk and soy proteins from both of our systems. However, I did not understand how his symptoms could worsen if these foods had long been eliminated… Symptoms that would improve, then worsen, then improve again, indicated more than simply a MSPI diagnosis to me.

I definitely would make my grad school professors proud, as they were actually right when they said I would be doing extensive research throughout my career! No one ever believed them, HA! After researching my way through many days and nights, we recognized the need to continue to eliminate foods from my diet. It seemed a common trend for babies with MSPI to also have other food allergies. Determining what was upsetting our little man’s gut was top priority. A food journal was officially started and the list of eliminated foods began to grow; unfortunately. Anything that set him back in the slightest was added to the list. I continued to monitor for bloody or green diapers, fussiness, skin irritation, and changes in energy or sleep pattern.

Over the course of 4 weeks the list quickly grew, and yet his symptoms were not resolved. After nearly 8 weeks from the start of our elimination journey I still spent time agonizing over his hurt bellies and his “bad” diapers. To this point the main symptoms are green, mucous, and blood in diapers and eczema. Of course, my mom brain tells me to go back to the pediatrician ASAP all the time, but my nurse brain tells me to be patient and only take him in for an additional appointment if he is not doing well. One of the hardest things about this journey is to watch his sweet soul suffer. However, the fact that he is still a happy boy and continues to gain weight helps to calm my nerves every day. By the end of the elimination phase, I essentially survived on organic fruit, veggies, and chicken.

Eliminated Foods:

1. Dairy
2. Soy (in all of its forms)
3. Red Meat
4. Gluten
5. Wheat
6. Oats
7. Eggs
8. Corn
9. Coffee (even Decaf)
10. Tea
11. Caffeine
12. Tree nuts (not coconut)
13. Peanuts
14. Tomatoes
15. Bananas
16. Strawberries
17. Raspberries
18. Orange juice
19. Maple Syrup
20. Limit Sugar
21. No spicy foods

Thank You!

To the moms out there who have blogged about their experience with MSPI and other food allergies…You are awesome and thank you! Hearing other moms talk about their babies and symptoms truly helps make you feel like your world is not actually crumbling around you. It also gives hope that you can and will get through this. The limited amount of research out there is very medical and scientific which is cold, even for me. I can understand what the research says, but it is just not the same as hearing it from a mom’s point of view. So again, thank you moms!!!

On the subject of thanking, I should also thank my wonderful, amazing, and supportive friends. They have really made this experience much less lonely. They have asked how we are doing, offered safe recipes and food, been ears to vent to, and have continuously reminded me of how great we are doing. We love each and every one of you. I am so lucky to have you all in my life!