[Martin, The link pasted below links to fifteen articles that tell what I believe is the best multi-faceted approach to treating DS. -Miriam]
http://einstein-syndrome.com/2009/04/11/top-15-things-a-new-parent-should-know

Thanks for the input.

The first thing I would look at would be the mother’s diet. We wouldn’t stop breastfeeding, as that is so good for the baby . But, it would be good if mom could cut out the common food allergies – wheat (gluten specifically), dairy, chocolate, & soy. You may consider cutting out corn as well as that is another common allergy. But, that is in so many food products, it may be easier to start with the above allergens and then work up to it if nothing changes.

The other may want to start taking probiotics (dairy free) or giving a dairy-free probiotic to the baby to help with her gut.

I hope this helps some and feel free to email with any questions. My family has a lot of food allergies so we’re quite familiar with this .

Qadoshyah
http://gotdownsyndrome.blogspot.com
qf (at) gotdownsyndrome (dot) net

Debbie

In our case, our son with Down Syndrome did react to vaccines. At first we and the doctors didn’t catch on that he was reacting…. the symptoms weren’t typical but they were harmful (regressions, digestive issues). But he had a terrible reaction to the 12 mos. vaccs and a flu shot. First he caught the measles from the MMR. He survived that by God’s grace and love (the measles comes with a whopping lung infection). Then we watched as he gradually slid into full blown autism. The incidence of autism is higher in the DS community than in the gen. population. Thank God we’ve been able to recover him partway. And we know that He is healed by God and are watching this be manifested.

I believe that some people are genetically predisposed to react to vaccine toxins more. They have a genetic weakness that makes it so that they don’t handle vaccines very well. Diet and a healthy living (emotional etc.) environment certainly can help to prevent some damage. To learn more of the risks of vaccinating a child with DS I would encourage joining the Einstein List and looking at the info. in the archives.

Vaccines pose quite an assault on the body. This includes the digestive tract and the brain. Many parents are no longer vaccinating and some are still vaccinating but in a more “spread out” or spaced fashion and they are sometimes insisting on less vaccines. We are in the no vaccine category but each parent has to research and choose. Once you put the vaccine in the body… you can’t just easily remove the ingredients. A child already experiencing challenges needs to be protected and healed… thanks for letting me share my thoughts. Ali :0)

http://www.drjuliasinn.net

So the suggestion would be for the mom to not only cut out dairy (and watch for hidden dairy) but to also cut out wheat and perhaps all or most grains. She could check out the GAPS Diet for a list of what might be good to eat for now?? http://www.gapsdiet.com And she herself could take some good probiotics and perhaps it would be okay to use some liquid probiotic with the baby. I would check with a naturopathic doctor or someone familiar with using probiotics with small infants. If I had to guess I would think it would be okay if it’s slow and gentle and a probiotic without a bunch of coloring and flavoring added.

I might look into Linda Sherman’s oils http://www.heritageessentialoils.com and I wonder if some King Method http://www.kinginstitute.org/tkmr-/tkmr.html could be of help toward healing.

I will pray. God is #1 of course. He knows all and is full of love for them. We can ask for healing and wisdom and mercy. Blessings and Hugs, Ali (grandma to Lilyenne and Madelyne and mom to Jack with Downs) XOXOXO

PS – at the GAPS website if you touch on the “outline” “introduction” and “full GAPS diet” links you’ll find good info..

It takes two weeks for dairy to leave the system-Mom and baby both. If the baby had any antibiotics, medications, etc. in addition to the soy formula, then these can all mess with baby’s gut and cause trouble. Good probiotics can help (I give my newborns them in addition to breastfeeding exclusively). Other allergies can be causing trouble- soy seems a likely culprit, gluten (celiac is VERY COMMON in our kids with DS and can cause failure to thrive/gain and also blood in stools). I would rule out food allergies in mom’s milk before considering a milk protein allergy, which IS VERY RARE. Breastmilk is very much needed- it has AT LEAST THREE kinds of stem cells, antiviral/antiobacterial live cells/properties not replicable- there are over 200 things found in breastmilk that cannot be made in a lab- baby needs human milk, and especially a baby with DS.

Even one formula feeding can cause damage to the sensitive baby’s gut. Many typically developing babies have immature intestinal tracts- I’d guess that most babies with DS have VERY sensitive guts and need time to let them mature.

I’d advise mom to cut all gluten from her diet and dairy- careful with ingredient lists because gluten is in so many things. I’d also advise her to keep a food journal of everything she eats (a small notepad with notes- ate nature’s own granola bar 2:15 am etc.) and that way Mom can track when baby is fussy and if baby reacts to certain things more then others.

She can contact her local La Leche League for free phone counseling and also a free support meeting- they usually have them at least once a month.

HTH,

Sarah B.

[John, You describe the fears that every Down syndrome parent knows. What will the future hold? Yes, it is scary. We all face this fear. No one judges you for feeling that familiar fear.

Making the right choice is not easy, but the result is good. You don't walk through this alone, but the God who is growing that little baby will walk with you. And I'm pretty sure that you'll be surprised by the blessings that follow. -Miriam]