Do allergies/intolerances with one = higher likelihood of same with siblings?

Another thread has got me thinking about this more than I already have been. DD1 ended up on formula because she had severe reflux together with allergies and intolerances to all sorts of things. I have no doubts that I did the right thing switching her to formula and the only feelings of guilt I have are that I didn't switch her sooner. I feel that I tried everything and nothing alleviated her pain so this thread isn't for a rehash of what else I could have done with her.

What I'm wondering is that with the same gene pool is it more likely than not that my new baby will have the same issues? DD2 certainly had some issues with intolerances and reflux, but nothing like her sister. She was switched to formula too and while things improved slightly, I'm fairly confident now that we were dealing with other issues that far outweighed the effect of reflux etc, but that made her so distressed all the time and therefore impossible to really judge the impact of feeding. So, I guess what I'm saying is that I really don't know what the overriding problem with DD2 was so it doesn't help me answer this question ITMS.

I am posting this with great trepidation because while I do believe breast is best for most I do not believe that breast is best for all babies and so please don't tell me that I just need to persevere because the advantages of it outweigh the enormous pain and distress that may come with it. I do desperately want to breastfeed, but I won't do so if it means watching another of my babies in agony. So, please be gentle with me :pray:

subbing cause i want answers too!

Def don't want DS going through the same agony DD has/is going through!!

My dS1 has allergies and intolerances. His allergies are nuts and shellfish. His intolerances are lactose (although he's mostly grown out of that one) and gluten (which he has grown into lol!)

My DS2 has some nut allergies. No intolerances at all.

So they're quite different from my perspective!!

ETA: My DS2 had at least one bottle of formula every day for his first year. Was on full formula feeds at 4.5 months. DS1 was fully breast/EBM fed until 5.5 months when I put him onto formula. So BF isn't always the answer - I agree!

I'm subbing too. DD1 has a lactose intolerance and dairy allergy (to some fats). Would be interested to know the answer. Yes some, sometimes formula is best :hug:.

Dd1 has allergies - nuts, chickpeas, lentils and gets hay fever. She also has sensitive skin.

Dd2 has nothing! They are completely different.

I think it does increase the likelihood - family history of allergies is a risk factor. It doesn't necessarily mean they will, of course.
You're ahead, though, as you're forewarned and know what to look for.

I think the key thing - and you've said it too - is actually investigating and figuring out what is wrong.

Massive :hug: gorgeous lady. I can still remember what you went through with your gorgeous princess's :hug:. Your latest gorgeous princess is probably more likely to have intolerance because of your family history BUT every single kiddie is different so your latest princess may very well have nothing at all and you'll be able to b/f like you so dearly want to.
The positives are you know what to look for if she does start showing the reflux/intollerances that your other girls have shown.
I'm positive your little princess is going to take to b/f like a champ and you'll be have a beautiful relationship for as long as you both want :hug: and you know I'll be here for you if it goes haywire too lovely lady.
Busting to hear about this little one's arrival - come on little princess :D

Allergies run in families according to our allergist and it has certainly been proven in our family.

Eg my half sister is allergic to shellfish and has hayfever. Her daughter also is allergic to nuts, her son panadol, I can't remember the others.

My sister is allergic to cats and rodents, her son has allergies to peanuts, her other two children are intolerant to dairy and soy but no true allergies.

I am allergic to cats, suffer chronic hayfever and intolerant to geletine and recently wheat. My son is the missing link, he is practically allergic and intolerant to life, he has soy, tree and peanuts, cats, dogs, grass, wheat, egg whites and yolk, penicillin and it's alternative, the list goes on.

That said there is no guarantee that a sibling will get allergies or even the same ones. But there is certainly a higher risk. The best thing we did was get ds tested and then see a dietitian to work out the intolerances from there. Knowing what we are dealing with has made our lives a lot easier.

fwiw ds was bf and he still has allergies, sometimes these things are just going to happen and you do what you need too. :hug:

No freaking idea sorry. But wanted to say that I think your mummy radar was on and you knew what was best for your baby. So I'd go on to encourage you to have faith that you'll know what's right next time.

Hugs

Just wondering if you'd considered keeping a food diary (for yourself) to see how DD3 responds to your diet? I am not 100% sure how it works in newborns... presumably you have to make sure she isn't a collicky baby first?

Thanks so much for the replies ladies. I'm really hoping this time around that things will be "normal" - whatever that is ;-)

Maruschke - will definitely be keeping a food diary, although hadn't thought of ruling out colic first. I started one on Dr's advice with DD1 when she was 4 weeks old but had thought I would begin one from the start with this bub. Also thought this time around I might start off having already excluded some foods and if all seems to be going well start introducing them slowly.

What's interesting is that throughout DD1's pregnancy I couldn't stand milk, didn't eat much cheese etc and dairy proteins are certainly one of her biggest issues - even now at just turned 5 she won't touch milk, yoghurt etc. This pregnancy I am craving enormous glasses of iced coffee and choc milk. Maybe its nothing, but part of me is hoping that if my body is wanting it this time, maybe my baby is too?

Not my personal history but a close friend. Her DS1 lots of allergies/intolerances, DS2 nadda (both initially BF then switched to FF)