Cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) is the most common food allergen in infants and children up to 5 years old. Identifying it is important so you can reduce the discomfort it causes and promote overall health and development in your child. But how can you tell if your child is suffering from a milk allergy? Keep reading to learn about common symptoms that are caused by consuming milk and dairy products.
What Is a Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy?
CMPA occurs when a person’s immune system mistakenly sees proteins in cow’s milk (mainly casein and whey) as harmful. This triggers an immune response, which can range from mild to life-threatening, and the symptoms can look vastly different from person to person.
Infants who are exclusively breastfed may also suffer if the mother is consuming dairy products, because she will pass the dairy proteins into her milk and therefore into her child’s system.
Signs and Symptoms of a Milk Allergy in Babies
Immediate Reaction
An immediate reaction (within 30 minutes) is more obvious, including alarming symptoms such as wheezing, rash, lip-swelling, and anaphylaxis. These symptoms can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
Delayed Reaction
The nature of delayed reactions can make it difficult to pinpoint what triggered it, especially in children who are generally fussy. It may take as long as 3 days for symptoms to present. While there is a wide range of symptoms listed below, they all have a commonality: inflammation. When someone who has an allergy continues to consume dairy, they overwork their immune system which results in chronic inflammation in the body.
- Eczema and Other Skin Complaints
- A dairy allergy can cause a delayed reaction manifesting as eczema. This will look like red, itchy, and dry patches on the skin.
- Asthma, Sinus Issues, and Other Respiratory Problems
- Dairy consumption doesn’t directly cause asthma, but it can make it worse. This can include wheezing and coughing during physical activity. A cow’s milk protein allergy can also cause a runny nose and sneezing.
- Stomach Issues
- There are a wide range of stomach concerns that can all be attributed to dairy consumptions. This includes vomiting, diarrhea, reflux, blood/mucus in stools, regurgitation, gassiness, and poor appetite.
- Slow Weight Gain
- When babies have a food allergy, their bodies have problems digesting or absorbing food, interfering with their overall weight gain and growth.
- Irritability or Colic
- Babies may cry a lot, but if it feels nonstop and they are inconsolable, it may be a sign that they have an undiagnosed cow’s milk protein allergy.
My Baby Has These Symptoms, Now What?
Eliminating dairy is the first thing to do, both from your baby’s diet and from the mother’s if the baby is consuming her breast milk. Monitor symptoms to see if they improve after a few days to weeks, and usually there is significant relief. Fortunately, it is incredibly easy to take out dairy products without suffering. Check out our Dairy-free Alternatives: The Ultimate Guide to get started.
As always, please talk to your pediatrician about the symptoms and any dietary or lifestyle changes.
Learn more about how kids can thrive without dairy products at kidsandmilk.org.
This content is for informational or educational purposes only. Please consult your healthcare provider in regard to recommendations and treatments as this material cannot be used as medical advice.
