During the delicate journey of nurturing a child, every feeding experience tells a unique story. However, for some, this narrative takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of cow’s milk allergy (CMA). Navigating CMA can be emotionally challenging for you as a parent, evoking feelings of helplessness and emotional ups and downs.
Babies and Cow's Milk Allergy
Navigating the parenting journey with your baby can be challenging
Rest assured, many other parents have gone through similar experiences, and the support and empathy you need are already available from trustworthy sources. We invite you to explore this journey with us, from recognition to understanding, providing insights and offering guidance to keep you informed about this.
A cow’s milk protein allergy usually starts upon introducing cow’s milk into your baby's nutrition, whether through feeding with milk or by including dairy and milk products during the weaning process. Today, CMA affects up to 5% of infants around the world.
During your baby's first year with CMA, they may experience various tummy issues like vomiting, diarrhea, reflux, skin reactions (such as eczema), and respiratory problems (like wheezing or nasal congestion). These symptoms can vary in severity and frequency, making diagnosis challenging and causing unnecessary stress for the whole family.
Understanding cow’s milk protein allergy is crucial to help you navigate it with your baby’s diet
It is important to understand that CMA symptoms can be divided into two main types:
- Immediate CMA, which appears right after your baby consumes cow milk, typically within minutes;
- Delayed CMA, arising several hours or even days after your baby consumes cow milk;
A detailed diary of symptoms and feeding patterns can provide valuable insights for your doctors. For them, diagnosing CMA can be a lengthy process, sometimes requiring up to 18 visits and 3,6 months. Look for patterns in your baby's reactions after feeding and note any changes in behavior or physical appearance to help a faster diagnosis process.
Remember, you are not alone, the support and expert advice are available to help you and your baby through your journey.
Fortunately, there are some helpful options and considerations to support you through this journey and ease your stress and frustrations. You can try to:
- If your doctor recommends it, you may need to change your baby’s diet: if you are breastfeeding, consider avoiding all products containing cow’s milk protein. If your baby is formula-fed, your doctor might recommend an extensively hydrolyzed formula.
- Start with careful label reading: learn to identify and avoid cow’s milk protein in packaged foods.
Always consult your healthcare professional for recommendations and supervision of your baby’s feeding. A pediatrician or allergist can offer personalized guidance and treatment plans tailored to your baby’s needs.
AptaClub community provides relevant information to keep you informed and help you make thoughtful decisions for you and your baby.
- Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr. 2023 Jan;26(1):58-69
- Benninga MA, et al. Gastroenterology. 2016;S0016-5085(16)00182-7
- Iacono, G., et al. "Gastrointestinal symptoms in infancy: a population-based prospective study." Digestive and liver disease 37.6 (2005): 432-438.
- Vandenplas Y, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2015;61(5):531–7
- Aptaclub.com – Milk allergies in Babies Milk Allergies in Babies | Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy | Aptaclub
- Edwards CW, Younus MA. Cow Milk Allergy. [Updated 2024 Oct 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542243/
