Breast milk is touted as the best gift you could give your baby. It increases bonding, boosts the immune system and ensures perfect nutrition according to the American Pregnancy Association. Still, for a small amount of babies, breast milk is a nightmare. These babies have an allergy to certain milk sugars or proteins which makes feeding anything but a calm, nurturing experience. If your baby exhibits the signs of breast milk allergy, it's important to get her evaluated by a doctor right away to prevent serious malnourishment.
Weight Abnormalities
It's normal for your baby to lose a little bit of weight after he's first born, but if that weight doesn't rebound, it could indicate that your baby has a breast milk allergy. Babies should gain at least 5 ounces per week according to KidsHealth. If your baby fails to gain or begins to suddenly lose weight, contact your doctor to find out why.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
MayoClinic.com points out that your baby might experience a wide range of gastrointestinal symptoms if he's allergic to your breast milk. He could vomit or spit up his milk directly after feedings. He could develop colic. It's likely that he will develop diarrhea which may or may not contain blood. Some symptoms, like vomiting, occur right away, but the loose stools an colic may take a few weeks to present themselves.
Allergic Reaction Symptoms
Your baby might display symptoms you commonly associate with allergies, like coughing, runny nose and watery eyes. It's common for babies with an allergy to formula to develop an irritated, itchy rash around their mouths. If your baby's allergy is serious enough, he could experience anaphylaxis, or shock associated with a severe allergic reaction, says La Leche League International. Severe anaphylaxis is often fatal if not treated immediately. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include throat swelling, a sudden drop in blood pressure and unconsciousness.
Respiratory Symptoms
Your baby might begin to show signs of respiratory distress if he's allergic to your breast milk. According to La Leche League International, wheezing, difficulty breathing and constant congestion often signal milk allergy. In the case of respiratory symptoms, as with other non-gastrointestinal symptoms, the allergy could be a result of something passed to the baby through breast milk rather than the breast milk itself. Doctors generally recommend elimination diets until they determine what sparked the baby's reaction.
