What to avoid if baby has milk protein allergy?

Understanding Milk Protein Allergy in Infants
Milk protein allergy is a significant concern for many parents, particularly those with infants who exhibit symptoms of discomfort or distress. This allergy is primarily triggered by proteins found in cow’s milk, which is the basis for most commercial baby formulas. Recognizing what to avoid is crucial for managing this condition effectively.
Key Avoidances for Parents
1. Cow’s Milk and Dairy Products:
The most critical step in managing a milk protein allergy is to completely eliminate cow’s milk and all dairy products from your baby’s diet. This includes not only milk but also cheese, yogurt, and any products containing milk derivatives. Even small amounts can provoke allergic reactions, which can range from mild to severe.
2. Breastfeeding Considerations:
For breastfeeding mothers, it’s essential to be aware that cow’s milk proteins can pass into breast milk. If your baby has been diagnosed with a milk protein allergy, you may need to eliminate dairy from your own diet as well. This can help prevent allergic reactions in your infant. Additionally, some babies may react to soy protein, so if symptoms persist, avoiding soy products might also be necessary.
3. Formula Choices:
When selecting a formula for a baby with a milk protein allergy, avoid any formulas made from cow’s milk, goat’s milk, or sheep’s milk. Instead, consider hydrolyzed formulas, which contain proteins that have been broken down into smaller, less allergenic pieces. For infants over six months, soy protein formulas can be an alternative, provided the child is not also allergic to soy.
4. Processed Foods and Hidden Ingredients:
Parents should be vigilant about processed foods, as many contain hidden dairy ingredients. Always read labels carefully to check for milk proteins, which can be listed under various names such as casein, whey, or lactose. Foods that may seem dairy-free could still contain traces of milk, leading to potential allergic reactions.
5. Cross-Contamination Risks:
In environments where food is prepared, cross-contamination can occur. It’s vital to ensure that utensils, cooking surfaces, and storage areas are free from dairy residues. This is particularly important in shared kitchens or when dining out.
Recognizing Symptoms
Parents should also be aware of the symptoms that may indicate a milk protein allergy. These can include fussiness, digestive issues such as diarrhea or bloating, and skin reactions like rashes. Monitoring your baby’s reactions to foods and consulting with a healthcare provider can help in managing the allergy effectively.
Conclusion
Navigating a milk protein allergy in infants requires diligence and careful dietary management. By avoiding cow’s milk and dairy products, being cautious with breastfeeding diets, selecting appropriate formulas, and being aware of hidden dairy in processed foods, parents can help ensure their baby’s health and comfort. Always consult with a pediatrician or an allergist for personalized guidance and support in managing this condition.

Can you eat eggs with a milk protein allergy?

Did you know…? Eggs are still a part of a dairy-free diet. Even though they are found in the dairy section of the grocery store, eggs do not contain milk sugar and milk proteins. Eggs are safe to eat in a milk-free diet.

What does CMPA poop look like?

And while a temporary change in color or texture usually isn’t anything to worry about, irregular bowel movements can sometimes indicate an allergy or food intolerance, such as a cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA). This is especially true if your baby’s stool is mucousy, blood-tinged, or looser than usual.

What should I avoid if my baby has CMPA?

In babies who still have a CMPA at one year of age, 8 out of 10 of these babies will outgrow their allergy by 3 years of age. What foods should I avoid while breastfeeding? You need to avoid milk and other dairy products in your diet. You will also need to avoid soy and soy bean products.

What to do if baby has milk protein allergy?

Treatment of CMPI includes eliminating cow’s milk protein from your infant’s diet. This is usually started with an extensively hydrolyzed formula, which is made up of broken-down proteins that can be digested without an immune reaction. An example of this formula is Nutramigen.

Which destroys most food allergens?

Many studies have shown that if you wash your hands well with soap and water, as well as thoroughly clean the surface with detergent, you can effectively remove the allergen.

What does milk protein allergy look like in babies?

Cow’s milk allergy can cause sneezing and an itchy, runny, or blocked nose. A chronic cough, persistent runny nose, and raspy, wheezy breathing should be discussed with your baby’s doctor. Anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock) is the most serious possible allergic reaction.

What foods should I avoid with a milk protein allergy?

The following foods and ingredients CONTAIN cow’s milk protein and should be avoided:

A2 milk	Dried milk
Cheese powder	Butter fat
Condensed milk	Hydrolysates (casein, milk protein, whey)
Cottage cheese	Ice cream
Cream	Infant formula – cow’s milk based including partially hydrolysed (HA) formula

What is the difference between a milk allergy and a milk protein allergy?

You may see these different terms: cow’s milk allergy (CMA), cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA), dairy allergy. They all mean the same thing. To keep it simple, KFA uses the term “milk allergy.” A milk allergy is an IgE-mediated allergic reaction to milk protein.

What does baby poop look like with a milk allergy?

Green, bloody, or mucus-tinged stool—along with some other issues—could indicate a milk allergy. If you suspect your baby has a cow’s milk protein allergy, keep an eye out for these common issues that may occur shortly after feeding: wheezing, coughing, swelling, a rash, gas, crying, and unusual poops.

Can babies with milk protein allergy have cheese?

Not allowed: All items containing milk, cheese, butter, whey casein, caseinates, hydrolysates, lactose, lactalbumin, lactoglobulin or milk solids, artificial butter flavor. Nondairy substitutes containing caseinate.