How to Know if my Toddler is Allergic to Milk

An allergy to cow’s milk occurs in about 2 to 8 percent of infants and toddlers. Some toddlers have bad reactions to cow’s milk protein and dairy products that are not indicative of a milk allergy. Fortunately, there are a few simple and safe ways to know for sure if your own toddler is allergic to milk.

Things You'll Need

• Journal
• Milk products
• Allergist

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Instructions

• 1

  Keep a dairy journal to record what dairy products your toddler eats and when, along with how she responds to the food, in terms of bowel movements or other physical responses, such as skin rashes. Take note if your toddler experiences reactions such as gas, constipation, diarrhea or if you find mucous or blood in her stool.

• 2

  Take note of whether other family members have bad reactions after taking in milk or other dairy products. According to Arizona-based Dr. Doris J. Rapp, milk problems tend to run in the family, causing symptoms ranging from bed-wetting to hyperactivity and asthma. If the toddler’s immediate relatives have bad reactions to dairy, it’s a high indicator that he, too, will have a milk allergy.

• 3

  Use the following test suggested by Dr. Rapp to see whether your toddler is allergic to milk. Stop feeding her dairy products for a week. Once the week is up, incorporate dairy products back into her diet on an empty stomach. Within one hour you should be able see whether or not she has any type of allergic reaction. (Note that if your child has experienced severe milk reactions, this type of test should only be conducted under medical supervision.) More delayed reactions, on the other hand, may include bed-wetting, asthma and ear infections.

• 4

  Head to an allergist with your toddler in tow to verify whether he is allergic to milk. Most allergists will use a skin prick test or a blood exam to determine whether a child has an allergy.