Identifying and Treating a Milk Allergy

by Renee Dietz | More from this Blogger

16 Jul 2006 12:31 PM

A problem affecting approximately 2% of all babies has to do with a milk and/or formula allergy. The solution would depend on the type of allergy, as well as the intensity of the allergy. For instance, if your baby were lactose intolerant, having trouble with cow's milk, he or he might do well on a soy-based formula. However, keep in mind that moving your baby from one type of formula to another should be done for the right reasons such as diarrhea, projectile vomiting, or hives. However, changing formula because your baby spits up or cries is unlikely to make a difference.

Typically, you would notice a problem with your baby's formula due to excessive fussy, again, projectile vomiting and diarrhea, and break out, especially around the mouth. When this occurs, the most common problem is associated with the protein found in the cow's milk. Since most baby formulas are made from this type of protein, you need to choose the best alternative, something that will not cause an additional problem.

Occasionally, a baby will have a serious allergy. For instance, when my daughter was a baby, she was allergic to cow's milk. I had breast fed her for six months and had planned on feeding this way longer but I became ill and had to be hospitalized. At that time, I had no choice but to put her on formula. However, she broke out in a horrible rash around her mouth. In fact, just a drop of formula would cause her to break out.

After talking to my doctor, we decided to try her on soy but she again broke out. Then, we switched her to goat's milk. While some people like this type of milk, it is indeed an acquired taste. My daughter soon accepted the goat's milk but she again broke out. The only other thing we knew to try was powdered milk with drops of vitamins to meet nutritional standards. For some reason, this worked. Now, I would not recommend you do this until and unless you have exhausted all other options and spoken with your baby's pediatrician.

When a baby has a formula and/or milk allergy, his or her immune system views this particular protein as being dangerous. Therefore, the body puts up a fight, trying to get rid of the invader. One thing to consider is that breastfeeding rarely causes any reaction. However, if bottle-feeding is your only option, and you cannot find a solution, you might consider talking to a donor bank for milk. This way, your child could still be bottle fed without you having to breastfeed, giving him or her all the nutrients needed.

Learn more about Renee Dietz

I have been a successful, published writer for the past 26 years, offering a writing style that is informative, creative, and reader-friendly.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger