How to Tell if a Baby Has a Milk Allergy

Milk allergy is the most common food allergy for babies. Some babies that are allergic to cow's milk, which is found in most baby formulas, may also be allergic to soy formula as well. There are some obvious clues to an allergy, but some are more challenging to see. Breastfeeding seems to reduce milk allergies in babies. If you know you have a history of allergies, breastfeeding may be a good solution to keeping your baby allergy free, according to Babycenter.

Instructions

1

Look for obvious signs of an allergy. Rashes, hives, dry patches of skin (eczema) and nausea are all symptoms of a milk allergy. However, those may also be symptoms of other conditions, so smaller clues may help to define an actual allergy. A baby with an allergy to milk will have gas, problems with colic and fuss and cry more than normal.

Other signs are too loose or too hard stools and an excess of spit up after meals. Another clue that might be dismissed as diaper rash is a red ring around the anus.

2

Call your baby's pediatrician and make an appointment. Your doctor will ask questions about your family's history with allergy problems, and do an exam of your baby to check the symptoms. Several tests may be run to rule out other problems that can have the same type of symptoms. The best way to test for an allergy is an allergy skin test, which is putting a very small amount of the possible allergen under the baby's skin with a needle. If there is a physical reaction, there is an allergy present.

3

Treating a milk allergy begins with restricting the milk your baby is getting. Your doctor may recommend that you switch your baby to a soy based formula and see if that clears the symptoms. Watch for reactions because soy can be an allergen, too. If your baby is tolerating the soy formula, the symptoms of the milk allergy should disappear within two to four weeks.