Managing your child’s cows’ milk allergy

Managing your child’s cows’ milk allergy
Dairy free
Changing your or your baby's diet
If your baby is diagnosed with cows’ milk allergy, you may need to change your own diet or theirs. Discover how to keep your calcium intake up if you’re advised to follow a dairy-free breastfeeding diet, and what changes to expect if your doctor prescribes a new kind of formula for
Managing your baby’s cows’ milk allergy
When your baby is diagnosed with CMA (cows’ milk allergy), it’s natural to feel worried. But now that you know the cause of your baby’s symptoms, you can take positive steps to keep them healthy. It may be reassuring to remember that most children grow out of CMA by their third birthday.
CMA and breastfeeding
Breast milk is the best form of nourishment for your baby, even if they have been diagnosed with CMA.
While cows’ milk protein can pass into breast milk from your diet, most babies with CMA can tolerate it. In rare cases, babies do react to the cows’ milk in their mothers’ milk. If this happens, your healthcare professional or doctor may advise you to avoid all dairy products to see if this makes a difference to your baby’s symptoms.
Balancing a dairy-free diet
You should only eliminate dairy on the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional to ensure that other vital nutrients are not inadvertently removed from your diet. Most people get the majority of their calcium from dairy products, so if you need to follow a dairy-free breastfeeding diet, it’s important to boost your calcium intake in other ways.
When breastfeeding, you need 1,200mg of calcium every day: 400mg more than usual. This is usually achieved by drinking low-fat milk and eating cheese and
If you have been advised to follow a
- Tinned sardines, with the bones
- Calcium-fortified fruit juices
- Soya milk, oat milk, rice milk or nut milk
- Green, leafy vegetables
- Wholegrain bread
- Almonds and Brazil nuts
Speak to your healthcare professional about your calcium intake to ensure you’re getting what you need.
CMA and bottlefeeding
If your doctor diagnoses your baby with CMA, they may prescribe a special kind of formula known as
This is made with proteins that have been broken
When you introduce this kind of formula, it may take your baby a couple of weeks to get used to the new milk. Their feeding patterns may change and their stools may be different, becoming looser and greener in colour.
Remember, if you’re concerned about CMA, it’s very important to consult your doctor or healthcare professional. Please do not self-prescribe with over-the-counter milk alternatives like soya, as they may not be suitable for your baby. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland do not recommend
For more information about diagnosis or the side effects of cows’ milk alternatives, always talk to your doctor or healthcare professional.
Last reviewed: 12th August 2014
Related articles
Questions about feeding and nutrition?
Our midwives, nutritionists and feeding advisors are always on hand to talk about feeding your baby. So if you have a question, just get in touch.