Milk Allergies and Breastfed Babies

Cow's milk protein sensitivity is the most common cause of digestive upset in newborns, but, thankfully, is generally outgrown by age 3. Depending on how sensitive your baby is, you might not have to eliminate all dairy from your diet, in order that the milk protein is not passed through your breast milk. Some babies are severely allergic, though, and require a strictly dairy-free diet for both themselves and their mothers.

Lactose Versus Cow's Milk Protein

There is a great difference between true lactose intolerance and the much more common cow's milk protein allergy. While many people will mistakenly claim that their baby has a lactose intolerance, according to Kelly Bonyata, IBCLC, an allergy to cow's milk protein is much more likely the cause of digestive upset or skin issues. Lactose intolerance is a much more rare diagnosis and would require cessation of breastfeeding, while continuing to nurse a baby that is allergic to cow's milk protein is far preferred to formula feeding.

Milk Protein Sensitivity Symptoms

A food sensitivity reaction generally doesn't show up in babies until 4 to 24 hours after exposure. If your baby is allergic to cow's milk protein, he might be fussy or gassy, as well as suffering from abdominal pain and cramping. Some babies also suffer from skin reactions, such as red rashes and eczema. More severe reactions would include diarrhea and vomiting. Babies only rarely suffer the extreme reaction of anaphylaxis, which involves immediate swelling, rashes or vomiting, right after exposure. Because swelling of the face and mouth can cause difficulty breathing, immediate medical care is needed.

Mother's Diet

Depending on how sensitive your baby is, you might only need to eliminate major dairy sources, such as milk, ice cream, cheese, and yogurt. If your baby is highly sensitive, you will likely have to eliminate all dairy sources, and be vigilant about reading labels on prepackaged foods--in order to guarantee they don't contain hidden dairy products, such as lactose and whey. Since it can take from 10 days to 3 weeks for an allergen to completely clear from a mother's breast milk, do not begin to reassess your baby's condition until at least 3 weeks from when you eliminated the potential allergens.

Baby's Diet

When your baby is 6 months old and ready to begin solids, do not introduce dairy products yet. Waiting to introduce dairy products to your previously allergic baby saves him from another potentially uncomfortable reaction. There are many other healthful options to feed him that do not include cow's milk. Your breast milk continues to be a complete nutrition, and the only milk needed until he is at least 12 months. By continuing to breastfeed beyond one year, you will continue to provide your baby with milk that is not only convenient and comforting, but also easily digestible.

Reintroducing Milk Products

Many babies outgrow their cow's milk protein allergy at around 6 months. At that age, you can begin slowly to introduce dairy products into your own diet, but observe your breastfed baby closely for any digestive upset, or other reaction. According to Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, once your baby is 12 to 18 months old, and only under the advice of your physician, you can slowly begin to feed him dairy and other foods containing cow's milk protein. Offer small amounts of foods containing cow's milk, preferably early in the day so you can watch him for any possible reactions. If he reacts to the cow's milk, do not continue to offer. Instead, try again after 3 years of age.