Does cows milk protein pass into breast milk?

The Passage of Cow’s Milk Protein into Breast Milk
The question of whether cow’s milk protein can pass into breast milk is significant for breastfeeding mothers, especially those with infants who may have allergies or intolerances. Research indicates that cow’s milk proteins do indeed transfer into breast milk, which can have implications for infants who are sensitive to these proteins.
A study utilizing advanced techniques such as nanoflow-HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry analyzed breast milk samples from a non-atopic donor after she consumed cow’s milk. The findings confirmed that peptides derived from cow’s milk were detectable in her breast milk shortly after ingestion. This suggests that when a breastfeeding mother consumes cow’s milk, the proteins can be broken down into smaller peptides that enter her bloodstream and subsequently appear in her breast milk.
Implications for Infants
For most infants, the presence of cow’s milk proteins in breast milk is not a concern. However, for those with cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA), even trace amounts can trigger allergic reactions. It is estimated that a small percentage of exclusively breastfed infants may develop CMPA due to the proteins transferred through breast milk. Symptoms can range from mild gastrointestinal discomfort to severe allergic reactions, necessitating dietary adjustments for breastfeeding mothers.
Healthcare professionals often recommend that mothers eliminate dairy from their diets if their infants show signs of CMPA. This dietary change is typically undertaken as a trial for about four to six weeks to observe any improvements in the infant’s symptoms.
Conclusion
In summary, cow’s milk proteins can pass into breast milk, which is crucial information for breastfeeding mothers, particularly those with infants who may be allergic or intolerant to these proteins. Awareness of this transfer can help in managing dietary choices and ensuring the health and comfort of both mother and child.

Should I avoid dairy while breastfeeding?

Contrary to what you may hear: Removing dairy from your diet makes no difference. There will not be less lactose in your breastmilk if you stop eating dairy products. There is no relationship between lactose intolerance in adult family members (including mum) and in babies.

Do babies outgrow cow’s milk protein allergy?

Most kids will outgrow CMPI by one year of age. However, if they do not, the majority will do so by 3 years of age.

Does cow’s milk protein pass into breast milk?

Unfortunately, the cow’s milk protein you eat can pass through to your breast milk. This means that your baby can be exposed to cow’s milk protein from your breast milk if you ingest cow’s milk and cow’s milk products.

How do I know if my baby is reacting to dairy in breastmilk?

Lactose intolerance causes symptoms like fussiness, gas, blood or mucus in stool, nausea, spit up and diarrhea. While exposure to lactose may cause your baby discomfort, it will rarely cause any long-term problems.

Does protein pass through breast milk?

Exclusively breastfed babies develop CMPA as a result of milk proteins from products the mother has eaten transferring through breast milk. The level of cow’s milk protein present in breast milk is 100,000 times lower than that in cow’s milk.

Why should you not drink milk while breastfeeding?

As your baby is breastfeeding, you will need to make sure that your own diet is completely free from cow’s milk to stop any proteins from the dairy products passing through to your baby in your breastmilk.

How do I know if dairy is affecting my breastfed baby?

It is common for breastfeeding parents to blame their diet when the baby is more fussy than usual. However, it is important to note that usually if a baby has an intolerance to a food you are consuming, there will be another sign of distress such as rash, forceful spit up, or blood or mucous in the baby’s stool.

Can drinking cow’s milk affect breast milk?

For most moms, drinking cow’s milk does not pose any problem for their babies. While a baby cannot be allergic to her mother’s milk, she can sometimes react to proteins in mom’s diet. One of the most common proteins that babies can react to is the protein in cow’s milk.

How do I know if my baby has cow’s milk protein intolerance?

Babies usually develop symptoms within the first week of starting cow’s milk in their diet, and most infants with CMPI show signs that involve the gastrointestinal (GI) system. This can include blood or mucus in the stool, multiple loose stools, vomiting or apparent abdominal pain.

How long does it take to get cow’s milk protein out of breast milk?

It takes up to 72 hours for the mother’s breast milk to become free of milk protein, so until you’re ready to nurse again, your baby will be given a hypoallergenic formula.