How to Tell if Baby Is Not Digesting Milk Very Well

Baby Milk Allergy, Lactose Intolerance, or Something Else?

If your infant seems to react badly to infant formula milk, you're probably wondering why information technology's happening. Maybe you recollect it's a cows' milk allergy or lactose intolerance.

Lots of people think those problems are the same, merely they're not. Some of the symptoms they cause may exist similar, so it tin can be disruptive. Or it might not exist either of those things. Your GP will aid you lot piece of work out what'south going on.

What Is Cows' Milk Allergy?

Nearly infant formula milk is made from cows' milk. The outset time a babe has cows' milk, information technology's very likely to exist in formula. That's considering cows' milk itself isn't recommended as a drink for children under the age of 1. But from effectually 6 months sometime, when a babe is being introduced to solids, they tin have cows' milk equally an ingredient in foods.

Cows' milk allergy is 1 of the most common allergies for babies and young children. Experts gauge that 2% to 7.5% of U.Yard. babies nether 12 months sometime have it. If it happens, your child'south immune system reacts to the proteins in milk, triggering allergy symptoms. That'due south why it's sometimes called cows' milk protein allergy.

If your babe does get an allergy to moo-cow's milk, information technology usually starts when your baby is first exposed to cow's milk, through formula, or later with solid foods.

Sometimes, but not very frequently, babies who are breastfed can have this allergy. It's because the cows' milk from the mum'southward diet is being passed on to the infant through their breast milk.

Most children grow out of the allergy past the time they reach the age of 5.

Symptoms of Cows' Milk Allergy

Your child may accept symptoms inside minutes of having cows' milk or formula fabricated from it. In other cases, bug might not happen until hours or even days afterward.

There are lots of possible symptoms:

• Digestion problems, including tummy ache, being ill, diarrhoea, and constipation
• Pare reactions, such every bit swelling of the lips, face, and centre area, and a cherry, itchy rash
• Hay-fever-like symptoms, such as a runny nose and watery eyes
• Eczema that doesn't get better with treatment

Sudden, severe symptoms are rare but tin include swelling of the mouth or throat, wheezing, shortness of breath, and difficulty animate -- a astringent allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can also make your child feel faint or become unconscious. This is a medical emergency that requires calling 999 or going to A&E immediately.

Treatment for Cows' Milk Allergy

If your baby is found to exist allergic to cows' milk, your GP or allergy specialist volition explain to you how to manage it. This will include removing all cows' milk from your child's nutrition for a period of time. Your GP may also prescribe a special infant formula that doesn't contain cows' milk for bottle-fed babies.

If your babe gets a cow's milk allergy in reaction to the dairy yous eat or potable, your GP may tell you to avoid cows' milk products in your diet in case these affect your baby.

this is the case, your GP may tell you lot to avoid cows' milk products in your diet in case these touch on your baby.

Your GP or dietitian will help you work out the best nutrition for your child at whatsoever stage they are at and closely follow your child'due south progress. Your doctor volition suggest reintroducing milk later on a while to see if your child has grown out of their allergy.

What Is Lactose Intolerance?

Your child may have a different type of reaction to cows' milk, or formula made from it, chosen lactose intolerance. This is when their trunk can't assimilate lactose, which is a type of natural sugar found in milk.

About lxx% of people in the world have lactose intolerance. It's more mutual among people from Asian, African, and Hispanic indigenous groups.

Babies and young children can also become temporarily intolerant to lactose later on they've had a tummy bug or another status.

Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance

Some of the symptoms of being intolerant to lactose are similar to those of a cows' milk allergy. These may include digestion problems such equally tum aches, bloating, and current of air. Diarrhoea tin can also exist a symptom.

Handling for Lactose Intolerance

Your GP will help find out if your child is lactose intolerant. Your child may exist given a lactose intolerance test, which measures blood sugar levels before and later having a lactose solution beverage.

If the test confirms lactose intolerance, your child will likely be referred to a dietitian, who volition requite you communication on what foods and drinks are suitable. Babies and young children need to get the right nutrients to brand sure they grow and develop properly.

For bottle-fed babies with lactose intolerance, your GP will probably propose you to switch to a lactose-free formula milk.

If you are breastfeeding, information technology may help if your baby has lactase substitute drops, which make it easier for them to digest lactose in breast milk.

Lactose intolerance is often only temporary for many babies and young children. Their symptoms will oft get meliorate within a few weeks. At this point, it'due south safe to start gradually bringing milk and dairy back into their nutrition.

Something Else?

If your babe or small child doesn't handle formula milk very well, it may be something else altogether.

Some of the symptoms of lactose intolerance and milk allergy are mutual in babies for other reasons, so it can exist tricky to work out what's causing the problem.

It may exist reflux. This is when your baby brings milk support during or after a feed. Most babies bring milk back up sometimes, but for some babies, it can happen a lot and be painful. It can give them breadbasket ache, make them feel uncomfortable, and brand information technology harder for them to feed and gain weight.

Information technology may exist colic. This is when the baby cries a lot and you lot can't work out why. Colic can make babies grizzly and give them windy tummies, which tin can also be symptoms of an allergy or intolerance to milk.

If your baby or child is having whatsoever problems with feeding, isn't putting on weight, or is showing any other symptoms you are concerned almost, get to the GP. They can help figure out what the problem is and how to set it.

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Source: https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/milk-allergy-vs-lactose-intolerance