Milk Protein Allergies: A Guide for Parents

For infants over the age of one, cow's milk provides vital nutrients needed to ensure healthy bones, strong teeth as well as proper neurological development. Unfortunately, for some children, an allergy to a specific milk protein may prevent the young child from consuming cow's milk and, as a result, obtaining the vital nutrients needed for growth and development. As parents, understanding the basis for a mik protein allergy, symptoms of the milk protein allergy and optional food selections, will ensure your child transists into normal health and development without cow's milk. 

For children suffering from a cow's milk  protein allergy symptoms often include development of skin rash, abdominal pain, cramps and even vomiting and diarrhea. In some children, an inability to regulate and control breathing patterns may be present when a milk protein allergic reaction ensues. When these symptoms develop, consultation with a pediatrician is recommended to ensure the symptoms are not attributed to another illness or disorder.   When confirmed as a milk protein allergy, the next step is to coordinate an appropriate treatment plan.

When positively diagnosed with a cow's milk protein allergy, treatment is quite simple; discontinue the cow's milk. As an option, your child's pediatrician may recommend modifying your child's diet with formula or utilizing another form of a dairy product, such as goat's milk. Additionally, because the child will be unable to consume cow's milk, due to the milk protein allergy, the pediatrician may prescribe additional vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure your baby is receiving the appropriate levels of calcium and vitamin D.  Because these same milk proteins are found in a variety of other products, avoiding items such as cheese, yogurt and ice cream will be required until such time as the child has grown out of the milk protein allergic reaction. For some children, cow's milk can be re-introduce, slowly, after three to six months and, for others, the avoidance of cow's milk will be indefinate.