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Researchers have been looking for a vaccine since for years. It is estimated that 83 percent of children will get an ear infection by the age of three. Ear infections occur when viruses or bacteria get inside the ear, usually the result of a cold or other illness. Fluid and mucus can become trapped deep inside the ear.
First approved by the FDA in 2000, it is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for all children less than 2 years of age and certain high risk children up to the age of 5 years to receive the vaccine. Now, instead of getting a shot, the vaccine is a liquid medicine that is rubbed into the ears, tear-free. But before running to the doctor and requesting this vaccine, there are some things parents should know about children that get chronic ear (and sinus) infections.
Too many parents are not letting our children's immune system a chance to build. By running to the doctor and being prescribed an antibiotic only breaks down the immune system even more, making your child more prone to getting sick and setting our children up for reoccurring infections. Recent research has found that prescribing antibiotics leads to well...more ear infections. Hmmm...not exactly what you wanted to read. In fact, if the children had taken antibiotics, there was a 63 percent chance they'd had at least one subsequent infection. The risk was only 43 percent for children who'd been given an inactive placebo. Other studies show that it takes children only three days longer to recover from the middle ear infection without antibiotic treatment.
But there is more. What many parents to do not realize is that the underlying cause for chronic ear infections in infants and children is a milk allergy. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, cow’s milk is the number one-cause of food allergies in children. A 1997 report on food allergies in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that cow’s milk allergies tend to hit children in their infancies, showing up as colic, acid reflux or eczema. However, many parents are in denial because they fear making the change for their child. They question: "How will my child get their calcium?" or they'll say, "But they LOVE milk, I cannot get rid of it." or my favorite, "I don't want to deprive them of their favorite foods like ice cream." Let's see, you'd rather spend the time off of work, hanging out at the doctor's office, paying for another round of medicines, letting your child suffer in pain than to take the offending food out of their diet? (you can read one mom's blog here). Dr. Christiane Northrup, MD, author of Mother Daughter Wisdom, states: "Dairy is a tremendous mucus producer and a burden on the respiratory, digestive, and immune systems." Dr. Northrup says that patients who "eliminate dairy products for an extended period and eat a balanced diet … suffer less from colds and sinus infections."
You can always tell the child with a milk allergy, they have a chronic runny nose or have the "year round" cold. A dairy allergy, like any food allergy, is capable of triggering a wide array of milk allergy symptoms. Some of the most common complaints include ear infections in children, sinus infections, heartburn/reflux, hay fever, constipation, diarrhea, acne, ADD/ADHD and irritable bowel syndrome to name a few. Dairy allergies are hereditary. The best way to test for a food allergy is through the ELISA food allergy and intolerance panel. ELISA stands for Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. This test is a direct measurement of the immune system's response to food. It measures both IgG and IgE antibodies and is by far more accurate than the skin prick test. Most food allergy testing does not test both, so you have to ask for this specific test.
Making the transition to a dairy-free diet is not hard. Rice milk in fact is fortified with more nutrients and does not cause iron-deficiency anemia in children as cow's milk does. There are many great dairy-free alternatives. So Delicious makes a wonderful coconut milk ice cream and has more fiber than a baked potato. Trader Joe's by far has the cheapest half gallon of organic rice milk around. You can also by it by the case from Costco.
Focus on building your child's immune system by giving them probiotics and feeding them a diet that is full of fresh fruits and vegetables. If you have an infant and formula feeding, consider goat's milk formula that is now on the market.
Instead of going back to the doctor for another round of antibiotics, get an allergy test and get answers. You'll save money in the long run, having a happy and healthier child.
To find dairy-free recipes go to:
Comments
This is a really great article. Very detailed with much supplemental information! Thanks! I can say that we are a vaccine free and dairy free family and none of my children have ever had an ear infection!
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I agree---really great article Jasmine and so informative!
Wow! This was super informative. I read all the articles but this really hit home. My eldest daughter was/is slightly allergic to milk, and she got really sick around 1 1/2 years old. The doctors said she had walking pneumonia. It was by far the longest "cold" she'd ever had. After she got out of the hospital, I took her off of milk and cheese for about a month. She got better really quick. I limit her milk intake to little to no servings per week but I (like the quotes above) am afraid to take dairy away from her. I have another daughter who a year younger than her and nothing ever goes wrong with her. She can eat ANYTHING and usually does. I’ve always felt that if I take some things away from Mia, I would have to do the same for Mariah, and in doing so, myself and my husband. After reading this, I have a lot to think about. I always walk away from my computer a bit smarter after reading your articles. Thanks Jasmine!
Great article. I always like reading your column. I always get some great information. When I started Isabella on cow's milk, she had a cold for 6 weeks, then I got some great info from Toni and I switched her to Goat Milk. She has been cold free..
I love the information I get from the articles posted. I completely agree with the use of probiotics to boost our kids immune system. I came across the probiotic I’m using ( Baby’s Only Essentials) through the company I purchase my formula (Baby’s Only Organic Dairy). I can use this probiotic for my youngest who is 4 months and my 3 yr old toddler. The website is www.naturesone.com.
My husband and I both have milk allergies. We both had repeated ear infections as children. We were never close to our mothers because they came to see us as "nothing but trouble." My husband had Eczema, projectile vomiting, and constant ear aches. When my mother-in-law harps on what a bad baby he was, I always ask her how many banks he held up. Hope your article helps other parents to avoid allergy driven problems. By the way, we both graduated in the top 10% of our high school classes, but our parents didn't even seem to notice.
We decided to stop all milk in our diets soon after we met in college. Avoiding milk is very difficult. Suppose you go out for burgers. Buns contain milk. French fries are often rolled in a fast browning mixture that contains milk. Soy shakes are not on the menu. We pretty much always eat at home. It is a bit of a sacrifice, but we are seldom ill these days.
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