First steps if you think your baby has
cows’ milk protein allergy
If your baby is reacting to infant formula or dairy produce they could be suffering from cows’ milk protein allergy. This affects a very small number of babies under the age of one and more often than not they grow out of it by the time they reach three. Unfortunately the allergy isn’t always easy to spot, with symptoms being similar to those of other medical conditions. Therefore, if you think your baby could have cows’ milk protein allergy (CMPA), but it hasn’t been diagnosed, it’s a good idea to gather as much information about their feeding patterns and symptoms as possible to present to your doctor.In an instance like this, your doctor should always be your first port of call. You can expect them to ask some routine questions including whether there’s any history of allergy in your family and how your baby responds to dairy produce. If, for example, your baby comes out in a rash after they’ve had milk, take a photo of it and make a note of how long it takes to appear and how long it lasts. Likewise note down if they vomit, have diarrhoea, stomach cramps or difficulty breathing, and record how soon after coming into contact with dairy this happens. If two symptoms occur in two separate areas of the body – for example an upset stomach such as vomiting and a skin irritation such as hives – you should ask your health visitor or doctor for advice.
It’s also important that you consult your doctor before making any significant changes to your baby’s diet. CMPA is still not widely recognised, with just 2-7.5% of babies being diagnosed. It’s also difficult to diagnose quickly, as other symptoms can mask the underlying cause. If your baby’s symptoms persist you may need to see the doctor again. It’s important that you don’t self prescribe and start your baby on soya based products including soya infant formula before they are 6 months old. This is because they contain phytoestrogens, and research has shown that 30-50% of babies who react to cows’ milk-based formulas also react to soya-based formulas. Partially hydrolysed formulas are widely available in supermarkets from well-known brands but these aren’t suitable for babies with CMPA either as the proteins are not broken down enough to make them less allergenic. If your doctor diagnoses your baby with CMPA they can prescribe a special kind of formula known as extensively hydrolysed. The protein in these formulas has been broken down into smaller pieces so that the baby’s immune system does not recognise it as an allergen – a process which does not affect the nutritional value of the formula. We’ve created Aptamil Pepti using extensively hydrolysed whey to create a special formula that’s suitable for babies with a cows’ milk protein allergy. It’s easier to digest and it provides the nutritional care your baby needs without upsetting their allergies.
If you suspect your baby has CMPA you should speak to your health visitor or doctor. You may find the NICE guidelines for testing for food allergy in children helpful.
Our experts are here to help if you have any questions about feeding or allergies in general, so contact us on 0800 996 1000 anytime, or get in touch via Live Chat, our online messaging service, between 8am-8pm, Monday to Friday.