Signs and Symptoms of Milk Allergies in Babies

Milk allergies offer a common cause for infant irritation. This allergy to milk occurs most often with formula, since most formulas contain cow's milk. While the signs and symptoms of infant milk allergies vary, diagnosis and treatment are important for a happy, healthy baby.

Causes

• If your baby's body does not recognize milk protein from cow's milk as beneficial, her immune system may try to fight the foreign substance. When this happens, an allergic reaction called a milk allergy occurs.

Symptoms

• Diarrhea, vomiting and other signs of an upset stomach often signify an allergy to cow's milk. Sometimes an infant develops a skin rash or may exhibit signs of labored breathing.

Occurrence

• Most symptoms of milk allergies occur within a period of time, usually about a week. However, more rare, rapid-onset allergies may occur almost immediately after milk consumption.

Longevity

• Some children never outgrow their milk allergy. However, odds are your children will lose the allergy within three to five years.

Misconceptions

• Take care not to confuse milk allergies with lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance, which typically occurs in older children or adults, signifies the body's inability to digest sugar lactose. So if your infant has a milk allergy, that does not mean he will suffer later from lactose intolerance.

Prevention/Treatment

• Breastfeeding your child offers the best chance for preventing a milk allergy; however, according to kidshealth.org, some researchers believe the allergy is genetic. If your child develops a milk allergy, your doctor will likely switch her to a soy-based or hypoallergenic formula.