Many a new mom dealing with a fussy newborn (and truthfully, what newborn isn't fussy?), has suspected that her suffering sweetheart must have a moo-cow's milk allergy or intolerance, especially when well-intentioned friends and relatives are likewise blaming milk.

If you're breastfeeding or exclusively pumping, you may assume information technology's the dairy in your diet that's causing your piddling one to wail; if you lot're formula feeding, you assume it'due south the moo-cow's milk in the babe formula that's causing the problem.

Although it is one of the more than common allergies in infants, milk allergies still simply affect an estimated 2 to 3 percent of babies. Confusing the issue further is that many people are unaware of the differences between a milk allergy, an intolerance to milk and lactose intolerance.

To clear up the defoliation, here'south the breakdown on milk allergies and intolerance in breastfed and formula-fed babies.

What's the difference betwixt milk allergies vs. lactose intolerance?

With a milk allergy in infants, a baby's allowed system reacts negatively to the proteins in moo-cow's milk. Breastfed babies are reacting to the dairy his mother has eaten (the milk proteins pass through breast milk), while formula-fed babies are reacting to the cow'south milk proteins in the formula. In either case, a infant's allowed system sees the cow'due south milk proteins every bit foreign substances.

Milk intolerance, on the other manus, has nothing to do with moo-cow's milk proteins or the immune organization, and instead has to practice with the digestive system. Your child might have loose stools or blood in stool hours or days after.

Congenital lactose intolerance is anextremely rare metabolic condition that also impacts the digestive organization. Lactose intolerance (lactose is a saccharide found in dairy products) more normally develops in older kids and adults. The few babies with lactose intolerance will ordinarily fare much better on a formula with lilliputian or no lactose.

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What are the symptoms of milk allergies in babies?

In its efforts to fend off the invaders, the body releases histamine and other chemicals, which cause allergic symptoms in the body.

Symptoms of milk allergies in babies include:

  • Frequent spitting up
  • Vomiting
  • Signs of intestinal pain, or colic-like symptoms, such as excessive crying and irritability (especially afterwards feedings)
  • Diarrhea
  • Blood in stool
  • Hives
  • A scaly peel rash
  • Cough or wheezing
  • Watery optics and stuffy nose
  • Trouble breathing or a bluish skin color
  • Swelling (peculiarly of the mouth and throat)

What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance in babies?

Symptoms of lactose intolerance in babies include:

  • Gas
  • Diarrhea
  • Bloated tummy
  • Spitting up
  • Irritability, crying or other colic symptoms
  • Failure to thrive and gain weight

How is a milk allergy in infants diagnosed?

If your baby has symptoms of either a milk allergy or milk intolerance, see your pediatrician. He or she will probably bank check for both with a physical exam, an examination of your baby'south stool, a give-and-take your family'south history of allergies and/or a peel-prick test.

If your physician thinks your infant may take a milk allergy or intolerance, and so y'all'll probably be asked to eliminate milk from your nutrition (if you lot're breastfeeding) or switch to a different formula (more on that beneath) to come across whether your newborn's symptoms improve.

After your baby has been cow's-milk-free for almost a week, the physician may have yous reintroduce cow's milk to see whether your petty i has a reaction to it.

How is a milk allergy in babies treated?

If it turns out that your newborn is i of the 2 to 3 pct of babies who has a milk allergy, don't despair. Many children outgrow a milk allergy by the fourth dimension they're around one year old, and the majority of babies with milk allergies outgrow the condition by about age 3.

In the meantime, your child's doc may recommend the following:

  • If your baby is formula-fed: Your pediatrician will suggest switching to a different formula. Because many babies with milk allergies are also allergic to soy (and to caprine animal'due south milk), the medico may suggest a hypoallergenic formula with hydrolysate protein, which has milk proteins that are already partly broken down, so it'south less probable to cause a reaction.
  • If yous're breastfeeding or exclusively pumping: Your pediatrician will likely recommend that you lot ditch dairy in your diet to see whether that makes a difference to your babe. Of form, making a major change to your nutrition is probably the last thing y'all want to think well-nigh when dealing with a fussy newborn, but it may very well resolve the issue. If you do eliminate dairy, be certain to talk with your doctor about how to make sure you lot're yet getting enough calcium and other nutrients in your diet.