Baby milk allergy, lactose intolerance, or something else?
If your baby seems to be reacting poorly to formula, you are probably
wondering why this is happening. You might think it's cow's milk allergy or
lactose intolerance.
Many people think that these are the same problems, but they are not.
Some of the symptoms they cause may be similar, which can be confusing. Or
maybe it's not one of those things. Your healthcare provider will help you
figure out what's going on.
What is cow's milk allergy?
Most infant formula is made from cow's milk. The first time a baby
drinks cow's milk, it's most likely formula. This is due to the fact that cow's
milk itself is not recommended as a drink for children under 1 year old. But
from about 6 months old, when the baby is introduced to solid foods, he can use
cow's milk as an ingredient in food.
Cow's milk allergy is one of the most common allergies in infants and
young children. Experts estimate that between 2% and 7.5% of children in the UK
under the age of 12 months have it. If this happens, your baby's immune system
reacts to milk proteins, causing allergy symptoms. This is why it is sometimes
called cow's milk protein allergy.
If your baby is allergic to cow's milk, it usually starts when your baby
is first exposed to cow's milk, through infant formula, or later with solid
food.
Sometimes, but not very often, this allergy can occur in breastfed
babies. This is because cow's milk from the mother's diet is passed to the baby
through her breast milk.
Most children get rid of allergies by the age of 5.
Symptoms of cow's milk allergy
Your baby may start showing symptoms within minutes of receiving cow's
milk or formula. In other cases, problems may only occur after a few hours or
even days.
There are many possible symptoms:
- Digestive problems including abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation
- Skin reactions such as swelling of the lips, face and around the eyes, itchy red rash.
- High fever symptoms such as runny nose and watery eyes
- Eczema that does not improve with treatment
Sudden severe symptoms are rare but may include swelling of the mouth or
throat, wheezing, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing.
Treatment of cow's milk allergy
If your child has a cow's milk allergy, your allergist will tell you how
to manage it. This will involve removing all cow's milk from your baby's diet
for a set period of time. Your dietitian may also prescribe a special non-cow's
milk formula for formula-fed babies.
Although very rare, it is possible that even if you are breastfeeding,
your baby may be allergic to cow's milk as a reaction to the dairy products you
eat or drink. If so, your dietitian may recommend that you avoid cow's milk
products in your diet in case they affect your baby.
Your nutritionist will help you determine the best diet for your child
at any stage and will closely monitor your child's progress. Your doctor will
suggest that you introduce milk again after a while to see if your child's
allergy has gone.
What is lactose intolerance?
Your baby may have another type of reaction to cow's milk or formula
milk called lactose intolerance. This is when their body cannot digest lactose,
a type of natural sugar found in milk.
About 70% of people in the world suffer from lactose intolerance. It is
more common in people of Asian, African, and Hispanic ethnic groups.
Babies and young children can also temporarily become lactose intolerant
after they have had a stomach upset or other illness.
Symptoms of lactose intolerance
Some of the symptoms of lactose intolerance are similar to those of a
cow's milk allergy. These may include digestive problems such as abdominal
pain, bloating, and gas. Diarrhea can also be a symptom.
Treatment of lactose intolerance
Your doctor will help you find out if your child is lactose intolerant.
Your child may have a lactose intolerance test, which measures blood sugar
levels before and after drinking a lactose solution.
If the test confirms lactose intolerance, your child will likely be
referred to a dietitian who can advise on what foods and drinks are appropriate
for them. Babies and young children need the right nutrients to ensure their
proper growth and development.
For formula-fed babies with lactose intolerance, your doctor will likely
advise you to switch to a lactose-free formula.
If you are breastfeeding, your baby may benefit from lactase substitute
drops, which make the lactose in breast milk easier to digest.
Lactose intolerance is often temporary in many infants and young children.
Their symptoms often improve within a few weeks. At this point, it's wise to
start slowly reintroducing milk and dairy products into your diet.
Something other?
If your infant or toddler is not very good at digesting formula, it
could be something else.
Some symptoms of lactose intolerance and milk allergy are common in
infants for other reasons, so determining the cause of the problem can be
difficult.
- Maybe it's reflux. This is when the
baby receives milk during or after feeding. Most babies have milk occasionally,
but for some babies it can be frequent and painful. This can cause them
abdominal pain, cause discomfort, and prevent them from eating and gaining
weight.
- It could be colic. This is when the
baby cries a lot and you don't know why. Colic can cause babies' belly to be
gray and windy, which can also be a symptom of an allergy or milk intolerance.
If your infant or child has feeding problems, is not gaining weight, or
you have other symptoms that concern you, see a physician. They can help you
understand what the problem is and how to solve it.