The MSPI Baby: A Beginner’s Guide to Surviving It

If you are just starting your dairy free breastfeeding journey, I feel your pain. I remember being right where you are. Through my personal experience I learned a lot about MSPI. Why?

Because the medical professionals around me were not very educated on the subject.

I know how you’re feeling.

You have an MSPI baby (also known as a milk allergy in babies or a milk soy protein intolerance / cow’s milk protein intolerance), you have no idea what to eat and your body needs fuel in order to produce breast milk.

That’s a lot of pressure as a new mom who’s trying to figure out how to survive the newborn stage.

One trip to the local grocery store is enough to make you want to lie down in the middle of the aisle and have a temper tantrum, total toddler style.

In the coming months, you are going to become educated (as well as the people around you) on just how much hidden dairy and soy are in the products that we consume.

If you’re feeling like a complete deer in the headlights and like you’re NEVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO EAT AGAIN (it’s okay, dramatic behavior is warranted at the moment), be sure to get my 7-day meal plan! It will help you to get started and to realize that this diet isn’t that bad.

The thought of not eating CHEESE for months at a time probably sounds like a prison sentence. But your baby (and your wallet!) is counting on you to push through, learn a new way of eating, and make it work. At least that’s what kept me going.

With my first baby in 2012, there wasn’t a ton of information and resources for dealing with Milk and Soy Protein Intolerance (MSPI). Unfortunately, there still isn’t a lot, but there are more products available for those avoiding common allergens.

This is my beginner’s guide to dealing with MSPI but make sure you check out the end of this post for my Complete Guide on Breastfeeding a Baby with MSPI. It contains all of the information that you’ll ever need!

So let’s get to it so that you can be informed and continue with your breastfeeding journey (a special formula such as a hypoallergenic formula and elemental formula is EXPENSIVE).

MSPI Symptoms In Babies

MSPI is your baby’s temporary inability to properly digest dairy (from cow’s milk) and soy proteins that are found in breast milk or formula. It is different from being lactose intolerant, which means that the body cannot break down the lactose (a sugar) found in cow’s milk.

Lactose intolerance is permanent, while MSPI is a temporary issue that your baby will likely outgrow.

What completely, 100% sucks about MSPI is that it’s difficult to diagnose. Getting your baby’s stool tested is the most common way to identify MSPI, but blood in stool could mean other food sensitivities. A milk/soy protein allergy is however by far the most common food sensitivity.

Related: Causes Of Blood In Breastfed Baby Stool

If you believe that your baby has MSPI, you should rule out a breast milk oversupply first.

The symptoms of breast milk oversupply are very similar to those of MSPI:

• excessive gas
• mucus in the stool
• green stools

If you have any of these symptoms along with frequent engorgement and a baby who gasps for air when nursing, oversupply might be your issue instead.

However, if your baby has any of these other symptoms of MSPI, then that’s likely what you’re dealing with:

• blood in stool
• frequent spitting up
• lack of weight gain
• ezcema
• excessive fussiness

Realize though that your baby doesn’t have to have all of these symptoms in order to have MSPI.

If you are seeing bloody diapers, that is the number one indicator and will likely prompt an MSPI diagnosis. Both of my babies had MSPI but did not spit up, they gained weight well and they did not have ezcema.

What You Need To Know About The MSPI Baby

I have been through the MSPI breastfeeding experience with both of my children. I can tell you that there is A LOT of misinformation out there, and that you need to be informed in order to successfully navigate breastfeeding an MSPI baby.

My Pediatrician was not very knowledgeable, and neither was the Pediatric Gastroenterologist that I went to, who told me that maybe my baby’s excessive gas was from crying too much because I went to her in the middle of the night (insert major eye roll).

Most frustrating experience with a doctor in my life.

I’m telling you, I know more about this intolerance than both of these trained medical professionals did.

One of the hardest things was being a new parent and not having a professional that I could turn to for help.

So while you’re in the beginning stages of dealing with MSPI, the next step is to know what to eat and what to watch out for.

Dairy Products and Soy are Hidden Everywhere

Of course you have to watch what you eat (and we’ll get to that), but you also have to check the label of your vitamins, pain relievers, medications, and those of your baby too! Even your toothpaste could be an issue!

The following vitamins and pain relievers are safe for you and baby:

Nature Made Prenatal (does contain soybean oil and soy lecithin which is fine for most MSPI babies)

Little Remedies Pain Reliever

Do probiotics help with MSPI?

Probiotics and Baby Colic Drops with Save your Sanity

Probiotics are awesome for MSPI babies because they help to replace the good bacteria in the body that was overtaken by bad bacteria.

And if your baby is gassier than a Taco Bell patron, baby colic drops will save your life. Seriously. They are AMAZING.

For a probiotic, I love Culturelle infant drops because they are top 8 allergen free (just in case your baby has any other sensitivities). It definitely worked well for my babies, and we still use a probiotic, especially when my kids receive antibiotics.

And my most favorite MSPI product of ALL TIME? Colic Calm. Colic Calm is messy, but my first child would have been absolutely miserable without it. Immediately upon giving it to her, I would literally HEAR the gas bubbles moving through her little body, and then she would pass them. And the angels would sing. In all honesty though, try it! It worked so much better than other gas drops.

How to Follow an MSPI Diet without Starving

When looking for recipes, the following labels are helpful. These labels mean that milk products aren’t included:

• Vegan (no dairy)
• Whole30 (no dairy)
• MSPI-friendly
• Paleo (no dairy)
• Kosher Pareve

Also, remember that you need to avoid hidden sources of dairy and soy too (except for soy lecithin and soybean oil, which should be tolerated. Most soy products contain one of these ingredients).

MSPI Diet For Breastfeeding Moms Must Haves

• Dark chocolate: dark chocolate is typically dairy free!
• Oreos: I think 50% of my diet consisted of Oreos when I went through this. I can’t stand to look at them now, but they sure helped me through!
• Coconut Oil- Coconut oil is not only delicious but it is a great butter alternative for baking.
• Earth Balance butter- While there truly isn’t a good cheese alternative, you will not even believe that this is not butter. It is SO GOOD.
• Italian and French breads found in the bakery section- most are dairy and soy free.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Soy-free milk alternative such as coconut milk or almond milk (make sure that the milk you are choosing does not have soy)
•  

Soy Free and Dairy Free Breastfeeding Snacks

These are some of my favorites:

• Enjoy Life brand chocolate and cookies
• So Delicious yogurts, ice cream, coffee creamers, whipped topping, etc.
• Sorbet
• Guacamole
• Lara Bars
• Hummus
• Fruits and veggies
• Plain potato chips
• Natural JIF peanut butter

Learn more about dairy and soy free snacks.

Just make sure to ALWAYS check labels, even on foods that you’ve previously deemed to be safe. Manufacturers could change the ingredients in their products without you realizing it.

Favorite Quick and Easy MSPI Recipes

In my Complete Guide to Breastfeeding the Baby with MSPI (linked below), I have compiled over 100 recipes that you can prep in under 15 minutes. They are all delicious and quick and easy for new moms. This is just a sampling of some of my favorite dairy and soy free recipes.

Classic, Fluffy Pancakes

I still make these pancakes for my kids each and every weekend. They come together quickly, especially if you quadruple the dry ingredients and keep them in the pantry.

Rotisserie Chicken and Rice Soup

This is unbelievable easy and so delicious. It takes about 30 minutes from start to finish, but tastes like you’ve been cooking all day. We like it better than traditional Chicken Noodle Soup in my house.

Spicy Sausage, Kale and Whole Wheat Orecchiette Soup

Another soup that is super quick, and that won’t have you missing creamy soups at all.

Grilled Veggie Pasta Salad

I adore this salad, and i love it because it’s so versatile. Simply grill whatever veggies you have on hand and mix them with a balsamic vinaigrette and your choice of pasta.

One Pot Sloppy Joe Pasta

This is perfect for the day when you desperately want something creamy and comforting.

Maryland Crab Cakes

These are the BEST crab cakes ever. With only six ingredients they come together super fast and without all the extra ingredients, the crab is the star in this recipe.

Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Think that mashed potatoes can’t be the same without milk and butter? Think again!

Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies

The coconut oil in these cookies makes them really crispy and brown on the outside and ooey and gooey on the inside. Excuse me while I go make some.

For more recipes, check out my dairy free breastfeeding meal plan. or these dairy and soy free desserts for breastfeeding moms.

How long does it take for MSPI diet to work?

It can take a LONG time for dairy to leave your system and baby’s. If you research online, you’ll see ranges from 2-8 weeks. I can tell you from experience (and from speaking to many other moms) that it most definitely can take longer than 2 weeks.

It took 6 very long weeks for my first baby to have a blood-free diaper. The good news is however, that many of her other symptoms (fussiness, trouble sleeping) started to subside after a few days and after a couple of weeks were virtually gone. Your fussy baby should be back to normal in no time.

Does MSPI go away?

The good news is that yes, your baby will likely outgrow MSPI. The majority of babies outgrow it before 12 months of age. At that point, your baby should be able to digest the proteins in both cow’s milk and soy, due to a more advanced digestive system.

Know that you’re doing a good job and don’t get discouraged. The sacrifice will be worth it!

The truth is, there is a lot that you need to learn, recipes you need to find, etc. I have only scratched the surface in this blog post because I want you to know the basics right now so that you can get started right away. But there are still many things that you need to know.

This is why I have created the Complete Guide to Breastfeeding the Baby with MSPI.

This guide is what I wish I had when my first baby was diagnosed. Or even my second baby because I felt that I had to relearn a lot.

In this guide, you will learn:

• what you need to know about vaccinations
• ingredients that you need to avoid
• how to easily adapt your favorite recipes
• how to increase your supply while avoiding dairy and soy
• how to eat out
• what store-bought snacks and frozen meals are safe (it has over 100 safe snacks)
• what to cook for dinner- it has a list of over 100 meals that you can make quickly and easily (15 minute prep or less!)
• how to introduce solids to your baby
• how to reintroduce dairy into your diet
• how to introduce dairy into your baby’s diet through solid food

Don’t waste your precious time trying to find all of this information on your own. Get everything that you need all in one eBook, and spend your time with your baby instead!