How Is A Milk Allergy In Babies Treated
If it turns out that your newborn is one of the 2 to 3 percent of babies who has a milk allergy, dont despair. Many children outgrow a milk allergy by the time they’re around 1 year old, and the majority of babies with milk allergies outgrow the condition by about age 3.
In the meantime, your child’s doctor may recommend the following:
- If your baby is formula-fed: Your pediatrician will suggest switching to a different formula. Because many babies with milk allergies are also allergic to soy , the doctor may suggest a hypoallergenic formula with hydrolysate protein, which has milk proteins that are already partly broken down, so its less likely to cause a reaction.
- If youre breastfeeding or exclusively pumping: Your pediatrician will likely recommend that you ditch dairy in your diet to see whether that makes a difference to your baby. Of course, making a major change to your diet is probably the last thing you want to think about when dealing with a fussy newborn, but it may very well resolve the issue. If you do eliminate dairy, be sure to talk with your doctor about how to make sure youre still getting enough calcium and other nutrients in your diet.
Alternative Milks For Babies
Soy protein formula
- Tolerated by most babies with cow’s milk allergy.
- Unsuitable for babies allergic to soy.
- Usually only recommended in babies over six months old.
Cows milk based extensively hydrolysed formula
- EHF has been treated with enzymes to break down most of the cows milk proteins and it is usually the formula of first choice in cows milk allergic babies.
- EHF is not suitable for babies who have had anaphylaxis to cows milk.
- Some EHF brands are available without prescription.
- An amino acid based formula is usually prescribed if a baby reacts to EHF.
- Partially hydrolysed formula is not a suitable formula for babies with cows milk allergy as enough allergenic protein is usually present to trigger an allergic reaction.
Rice protein basedformula
- May be used as an alternative formula to EHF or soy protein formula and continued or changed based on specialist advice.
- Available without prescription.
- Should not be used in babies with food protein induced enterocolitis syndrome to rice.
Amino acid based formula
- AAF is necessary in around one in ten babies with cow’s milk allergy.
- AAF is usually prescribed when an EHF or soy protein formula is not tolerated.
- AAF is tolerated by most babies with cow’s milk and soy allergies.
Why Is Whole Milk Bad For Infants
Beyond digestion. Also, cows milk contains high concentrations of protein and minerals, which can stress a newborns immature kidneys and cause severe illness at times of heat stress, fever, or diarrhea. In addition, cows milk lacks the proper amounts of iron, vitamin C, and other nutrients that infants need.
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How Is A Milk Allergy Diagnosed
If you think your infant is allergic to milk, call your baby’s doctor. He or she will ask you questions and talk to you about what’s going on. After the doctor examines your baby, some stool tests and blood tests might be ordered. The doctor may refer you to an allergist .
The allergist might do skin testing. In skin testing, the doctor or nurse will place a tiny bit of milk protein on the skin, then make a small scratch on the skin. If your child reacts to the allergen, the skin will swell a little in that area like an insect bite.
If the allergist finds that your baby is at risk for a serious allergic reaction, epinephrine auto-injectors will be prescribed.
Breastfeeding A Baby With Food Allergies
If you have been told that your breastfed infant has food allergies, you may be wondering what to do next. Will you be able to continue to breastfeed? You may be surprised to learn that in most cases, the answer is yes.
Even a baby who has never been formula fed, and has never had any food besides breast milk may show signs of food allergy including: diarrhea, bloody stools, vomiting, colic, eczema, constipation and poor growth. Babies can develop allergies to foods that you are eating while you are breastfeeding.
Proteins from the foods that you eat can appear in your milk within 3-6 hours after eating them. If you eliminate these foods from your diet, the proteins will disappear from your breast milk in 1-2 weeks and the babys symptoms should slowly improve. There are no recommendations to avoid any food while you are breastfeeding to prevent allergies. These restrictions are only recommended for breastfed babies who have developed symptoms.
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When Might My Child Outgrow His Cow’s Milk Allergy
Diagnosing A Milk Allergy
If you suspect that your infant is allergic to milk, call your doctor, wholl ask about any family history of allergies or food intolerance and then do a physical exam. Theres no single lab test to accurately diagnose a milk allergy, so your doctor might order several tests to make the diagnosis and rule out any other health problems.
In addition to a stool test and a blood test, the doctor may order an allergy skin test, in which a small amount of the milk protein in inserted just under the surface of the childs skin with a needle. If a raised spot called a wheal emerges, the child may have a milk allergy. If your child is positive for a milk allergy, your doctor may tell you to avoid milk.
The doctor also might request an oral challenge test when he or she feels it is safe. This involves having the baby consume milk in the doctors office, and then waiting for a few hours to watch for any allergic reaction. Sometimes doctors repeat this test to reconfirm the diagnosis.
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Diagnosing And Treating A Milk Protein Allergy
Your doctor may do blood work tolook for signs of allergies in your babys system. But youll likely confirm amilk protein allergy through the process of elimination.
If youre breastfeeding, youll needto stop consuming products that contain dairy or soy. Then, for about twoweeks, you can pump and dump while you feed your baby either a hypoallergenic formula or one made of amino acids.
If your baby is on traditional formula, switching to one of those alternatives should improve his or her tummy issues after about two weeks.
In severe cases, your doctor might use a scope to look for allergic inflammation in your infants system. This typically is necessary only if your child cant gain weight or is in the hospital with the condition, Dr. Goldman says.
In some cases, your medical team may stop feeding altogether and give nutrition intravenously until its safe to slowly reintroduce a specialized milk- and soy-free formula or breast milk free from a mothers intake of milk.
If you think your baby may have amilk protein allergy, its important to seek treatment as soon as possible toavoid severe illness later on.
A small number of children may have long-term milk protein issues. But most outgrow the condition by the time they reach 18 months to 2 years old, Dr. Goldman says.
We see very few older children or adults with a milk protein allergy, she says. By that time, peanuts become the No. 1 allergen.
Is Cmpa Common For Babies
Three in every 100 babies develop CMPA in their first year of life1. While 3% seems like a pretty low number, think about your circle of friends and family. Its not unlikely that you know 100 moms. That means 3 of your friends deal with CMPA. This is the most common food allergy in infants and young children.2
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How Long Does It Take A Baby To Recover From A Milk Allergy
Switching Formulas
Once you switch your baby to another formula, the symptoms of the allergy should go away in 2 to 4 weeks. Your doctor will probably recommend that you continue with a hypoallergenic formula up until your babys first birthday, then gradually introducing cows milk into his or her diet.
How Do I Cut Dairy Out Of Babys Diet
Cows milk protein is passed to babies through breast milk, so the only way to eliminate it from babys diet is to eliminate it from moms diet. This means more than just cutting out milk and cheese it means looking at every single food label before consuming and making sure it doesnt have any hidden dairy ingredients. This can be difficult, but so worth it if you can make your little one feel better!
If youre formula feeding, youll want to try formulas that have broken down milk protein. Soy-based formulas might seem like a good choice, but 8 to 14 percent of infants with cows milk allergy will also react to soy.3 While its not the cheapest option, hypoallergenic formula is a great place to start. Similac Alimentum breaks casein into smaller, more digestible pieces.
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What To Do If Your Child Doesnt Outgrow A Milk Allergy
If your child has a milk allergy, or is lactose intolerant, its critical for their health and comfort to avoid milk and dairy products for as long as they show symptoms. Many parents rely on these dairy products to supply their babies and toddlers with the nutrients they need to grow and develop. However, there are adequate and even better alternatives to milk that will give children the same, if not more, nourishment. With a bit of conscious shopping, youll be able to find a dairy-free option thats right for your child.
Note that most kids who are allergic to cows milk are also allergic to goats milk, sheeps milk, and sometimes soy milk as well. When seeking a safe alternative, be sure to steer clear of formulas and foods that contain these ingredients too.
Infant With Serious Tummy Troubles Understanding Milk
- If your GP or an allergy specialist has confirmed that your infant has a cows’ milkallergy, also known as a cows’ milkproteinallergy, no doubt you will wish to ensure that your baby’s diet is.
- What do other moms do when their babies have milk protein intolerance? One of my 11-month-old twin girls was diagnosed with a milk protein allergy at four months old. Since starting Neocate, she has been a whole new babymuch healthier and happier! As we’re approaching her first birthday, I’m getting anxious about doing the milk challenge
- My daughter had a milk allergy and did eventually outgrow it around 3 and a half years. She’s 4 now and can eat anything. It really depends on each kid. Some babies outgrow it by a year, others b y 5 and others never do
- Milk allergy can also cause anaphylaxis a severe, life-threatening reaction. Avoiding milk and milk products is the primary treatment for milk allergy. Fortunately, most children outgrow milk allergy. Those who don’t outgrow it may need to continue to avoid milk products
- Outgrowing food allergies In children, the most common allergens include: Evidence indicates that between 60 and 80 percent of young children will outgrow a milk or egg allergy by age 16, that 20..
- When A Child May Outgrow a Milk Allergy Although serious, a milk allergy diagnosed in infants is most often not permanent. In fact, many babies outgrow a milk allergy by the time they are one years old, and most children outgrow a milk allergy by three years old
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What If Dairy Elimination Doesnt Make My Baby Better
Cows milk protein is the most popular child allergy, but its certainly not the only one. Eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat, tree nuts, fish and shellfish are other common allergies. If youre breastfeeding and a dairy-elimination diet didnt help your baby , your baby might have another allergy. Trying a hypoallergenic formula can at least indicate if babys food intake is the issue. If you notice improvements during a formula trial, you can then decide if you want to continue with formula, or try to identify the allergy through food testing and continue breastfeeding.
Is It Really A Milk Allergy
Your pediatrician may mention the term “allergy” without offering clarification that may help you get a better handle on exactly what your child is facing. Here are the specific types of reactions your child may have to milk:
Classic milk allergy: Classic milk allergy involves both having allergic symptoms within two hours of consuming milk and having the presence of allergic antibodies, or IgE, against various proteins in milk. Allergic symptoms can include hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, and/or anaphylaxis. Presence of antibodies alone does not mean a person has allergy
Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome : Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome is a non-IgE immune-mediated reaction that typically presents with vomiting, diarrhea and/or lethargy around 90 minutes after consuming milk or other trigger. Sometimes milk IgE is elevated but most often it is not. FPIES typically occurs in young infants and is commonly outgrown by age three.
Lactose intolerance: Lactose intolerance is a gastrointestinal syndrome that presents with abdominal discomfort, gassiness, bloating, and/or diarrhea. It is typically caused by insufficient lactase, an enzyme that digests lactose. Replacing lactase enzyme or consuming milk products that have lactose removed, prevents symptoms. Lactose intolerance typically occurs in older children and adults and is less likely to be outgrown.
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How Do I Know If My Baby Has Milk Protein Allergy
Symptoms of cows milk allergy
skin reactions such as a red itchy rash or swelling of the lips, face and around the eyes. digestive problems such as stomach ache, vomiting, colic, diarrhoea or constipation. hay fever-like symptoms such as a runny or blocked nose. eczema that does not improve with treatment.
When Does Cows Milk Allergy Start
The symptoms typically develop from two hours after consumption but can take up to 72 hours. If cows milk continues to be consumed in the diet, the immune system will continue to produce such symptoms over days or even weeks. How quickly or slowly symptoms appear will help to identify the type of reaction.
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Will My Infant Need Any Treatment
If cows milk allergy is diagnosed, cows’ milk protein will need to be eliminated from your child’s diet.
For breastfeeding moms, that means you cant have any dairy in your own diet. Cut out milk, butter, cheese, yogurt and ice cream, plus prepared foods that use dairy, like a lot of baked goods. Goats and sheeps milk have similar proteins to cows milk, so those products are off-limits too. Dairy can hide in processed foods under different chemical names, so check labels for:
- Casein
- Milk solids or milk sugar solids
- Whey
- Whey syrup sweetener
Continued
Its hard to get enough calcium and vitamin D when you dont eat dairy. Talk to your doctor about adding other calcium-rich foods to your diet, or taking a supplement.
If youre bottle feeding, your doctor can recommend an allergy-free formula:
Extensively hydrolyzed formulas : About 90% of infants with a cows’ milk protein allergy can tolerate extensively hydrolyzed formulas. Although these are based on cows’ milk, so the nutrient content is the same as normal infant formulas, they have been extensively broken down into tiny parts so that the child’s immune system is less likely to recognize the protein.
Amino acid formulas : If your child has trouble with a hydrolyzed formula, or has severe symptoms — such as severe skin or gastrointestinal symptoms or has had an episode of anaphylaxis — an amino acid formula may be recommended.
Not All Reactions To Cows Milk Are Due To Allergy To Cows Milk Protein
Lactose intolerance: This is caused by the lack of the enzyme lactase, which helps to digest the milk sugar called lactose. Symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain and gas . This condition is uncomfortable but not dangerous and does not cause rashes or anaphylaxis. Allergy tests to cows milk are negative in people with lactose intolerance. Diagnosis is by temporary elimination of lactose and reintroduction.
Milk, mucus and cough: Some people complain that when they drink cows milk or eat other dairy foods, that their throat feels coated and mucus is thicker and harder to swallow. Research has shown that these sensations occur with similar liquids of the same thickness and are not due to increased production of mucus.
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