How do I know if my baby is allergic to breast milk?

Understanding Breast Milk Allergies in Infants
As a new parent, it can be distressing to consider the possibility that your baby might be allergic to breast milk. While true allergies to breast milk are rare, they can occur, and understanding the signs and symptoms is crucial for your baby’s health and comfort.
Signs of Potential Allergies
Approximately 2% to 3% of infants may experience digestive intolerances to proteins found in breast milk, which can lead to various symptoms. Common indicators include:
– Digestive Issues: Look for signs such as diarrhea, bloating, increased gas, or fussiness after feeding. These symptoms can suggest that your baby is having difficulty processing certain proteins.
– Skin Reactions: Eczema or rashes can also be a sign of an allergic reaction. If your baby develops a rash or experiences persistent skin irritation, it may be worth investigating further.
– Respiratory Symptoms: Although less common, some infants may exhibit respiratory issues like runny noses or watery eyes, which could indicate an allergic response.
– Behavioral Changes: If your baby seems unusually irritable or cries excessively after nursing, it might be a sign of discomfort related to an intolerance.
What Causes These Reactions?
Most often, the reactions are not to breast milk itself but to proteins from foods that the breastfeeding mother consumes. These proteins can pass into the breast milk and trigger an allergic response in sensitive infants. Foods commonly associated with allergies include dairy, soy, eggs, and nuts.
Steps to Take if You Suspect an Allergy
If you notice any of the above symptoms, it’s essential to consult your pediatrician. They may recommend:
– Elimination Diet: This involves removing potential allergens from your diet to see if your baby’s symptoms improve. Common allergens to consider eliminating include dairy and soy.
– Medical Evaluation: Your doctor may conduct tests, such as stool tests or blood tests, to assess for allergies or intolerances. In some cases, a referral to an allergist for skin testing may be necessary.
Conclusion
While the thought of your baby being allergic to breast milk can be concerning, being vigilant about symptoms and consulting with healthcare professionals can help you navigate this challenge. Remember, most babies thrive on breast milk, and with careful observation and guidance, you can ensure your little one remains healthy and happy.

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.

What is the 3 month breastfeeding crisis?

These increases occur around the same time for all babies, hence the term “3-months breastfeeding crisis”. This crisis is the most well-known because it is the most challenging for mothers. One reason is that this crisis, unlike others you may experience before, can last up to a month.

What are the symptoms of breastmilk allergy in babies?

Symptoms of dairy allergy in breastfed babies

• Hives or skin rash.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Abdominal pain.
• Swelling of the face, lips tongue or throat.
• Dizziness.
• Shortness of breath.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Coughing or wheezing that lingers for several hours after drinking milk.

How to know if breast milk isn’t agreeing with baby?

Fussiness before eating because of hunger, during the feeding and then more fussy as they become more uncomfortable can be common. “Children with MSPI may cry 18 hours or more a day and may develop weight loss, congestion, repeated vomiting, reflux, and certain kinds of skin rashes.

Can dairy cause spit up in breastfed babies?

Food sensitivities can cause excessive spitting up in babies. Products with cow milk in the mom or baby’s diet can be a common food sensitivity. Some babies can become distracted when feeding at the breast, pulling off to look around. This can cause babies to swallow air and spit up more often.

What does baby poop look like with a dairy allergy?

Your baby may experience frequent watery, foul-smelling loose poops if they have a cow’s milk protein allergy. You may also notice mucus in the stool, and your little one may be gassy and colicky. Babies with diarrhea may quickly become dehydrated, so calling your doctor is recommended.

How do you rule out a milk allergy in a baby?

The doctor will examine your baby, and might order some stool tests and blood tests. The doctor may refer you to an allergist, who 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.

How to flush dairy out of your system while breastfeeding?

Take out all cow’s milk products, soy and eggs from your diet. Wait 2-4 weeks to see if baby improves. The food will clear from your milk in a few days, but baby’s gut may take longer to heal. If baby improves, introduce one new type of food at a time, generally the one that you miss the most!

How do I know if my breastmilk is upsetting baby?

If your baby shows negative symptoms after drinking breast milk. Consider how your baby responds to breast milk after drinking it. If symptoms occur such as fussiness, irritability, crying, gas, increased spitting up and/or drawing their legs up due to tummy pain, write down everything you ate that day.

How do you know if breast milk is not agreeing with a baby?

MSPI symptoms

​fussiness or excess crying before, during and after a feeding	​stools may be infrequent, watery, have mucous, or be bloody
​reflux	​spitting up
​nasal congestion	​skin rash, eczema, hives, dry skin
​weight loss	​repeated vomiting
​sudden waking with discomfort	​