Memorial Box Monday - Milk is not a good thing

When SG was born, I was determined to nurse her as much as possible.  With JA, he ate SO much, that I just never had enough.  With AT, things went better, but I still struggled.  Fortunately, while I was pregnant with SG, I met a friend at church who was part of La Leche League (LLL).  She was a great encourager to me when things got difficult. 

SG while a good baby, definately had struggles and even ended up with the nickname Sour Grapes!  She would cry a LOT unless I carried her.  This was particularly difficult as I also had a 4 yr old and a 2.5 yr old at home as well.  We couldn't figure out what was causing her discomfort.  I knew to avoid cabbage (though I LOVE cole slaw) and other foods that cause gas in a nursing infant, but we just didn't know what the problem was.  After consulting with my pediatrician, we came to the conclusion that SG had colic. 

This "diagnosis" just didn't sit right with me as most all of the literature said that colic was EXTREMELY rare in bre*stfed babies.  When I was discussing this with my friend from LLL she mentioned that some kids don't tolerate milk proteins well.  I told her that I had already pulled milk products from my diet and it didn't make a difference.  She then explained that it can take from 7 - 14 days for all milk proteins to filter through the system.  Since I had only eliminated the milk products for 3 days, she suggested I try again but to make sure I avoided milk for at least two weeks before adding it back in. 

So, I started again - seven days later I had a NEW child!  I couldn't believe the difference.  Her personality was like night and day - we were thrilled.  Then just two days later, the "old" SG was back :-(  I called my friend again, very upset and frustrated.  I just couldn't figure out what had happened.  I was reviewing with her what I had eaten the past few days when it hit me.  At church on Sunday morning, I had a bagel with a small amount of cream cheese and a cup of coffee with creamer!!!! Praise God!! It IS MILK!!!!!! 

I was so grateful to KNOW for sure that milk was what was causing my precious little one such discomfort.  I was amazed at what such a small amount would do to her poor little stomach.  I would have never done this intentionally to confirm the milk problem, but I was thankful for the confirmation.  So, in my memorial box goes a picture of a bottle of milk - to remind me of God's faithfulness in solving SG's problem.