Milk Allergy and Breastfeeding


Here are the most common milk protein symptoms in an infant:

  • mucous in stools
  • nasal stuffiness
  • skin rashes
  • eczema
  • irritability
  • stomach cramping (colicky symptoms)
  • puffy, red eyes
These symptoms can often be confused with a cold, especially since many babies will also have a runny nose or diaper rash with both milk allergy and a cold. But, if these symptoms appear to come and go frequently and baby seems to be sick when no one else in the family is, you should have baby examined by a pediatrician and allergist.

Some mothers find it difficult to eliminate suspect foods and assume it would be easier to wean to formula. Unfortunately, in the case of milk protein allergy, this would not be a good idea. Many formulas are cow's milk-based. Soy formulas are also not a great idea as many children who are allergic to cow's milk are also allergic to soy. Also, allergy or not, formula is harder to digest than breastmilk and can irritate an already sensitive stomach lining.

Perhaps most importantly, a mother's breastmilk can also provide important antibodies against other antigens. Many babies who are allergic to cow's milk protein also develop other allergies, and breastmilk may protect them from developing many more. Throughout the first year, if a mother follows the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines that recommend breastfeeding for the entire first year of life, breastmilk continues to be a main fluid in the baby's diet. After the first year, where cow's milk is usually introduced, an allergist can recommend alternative sources of calcium, vitamin D and fat for your baby. Some babies may have a less severe reaction, allowing them to consume certain dairy products. Luckily, cow's milk protein allergy will disappear in most children by the age of four or five.

Sadly, many mothers who weaned their babies due to allergy symptoms were told or believe that their child could not tolerate breastmilk because it was causing an allergic reaction. It is so incredibly rare for a human infant to be allergic to human milk - but many seem to believe it is fairly common. Unfortunately, the more plausible answer is that many nursing women are consuming something that is causing an allergic reaction. For this reason, it is always best to speak to a knowledgeable allergist before assuming a baby is allergic to breastmilk.

The expressed opinion and information given in this article is the result of information learned and gathered by the writer through
The copyright of the article Milk Allergy and Breastfeeding in Breastfeeding is owned by Jessica Williams. Permission to republish Milk Allergy and Breastfeeding in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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