Babies with an allergy to milk also cannot drink most infant formulas, which are made with cow’s milk. Ultimately, the allergic child’s immune system mistakes the milk protein as a foreign substance and releases histamine and other chemicals. As a result, your child might experience various symptoms after drinking milk, including irritability and crying, diarrhea, coughing, wheezing, blood in stool and hives. The condition also could result in swelling, trouble breathing and even a rare life-threatening allergic reaction, anaphylaxis. Your child's pediatrician can confirm a milk allergy through a physical and stool examination and, most likely, a skin-prick test and will recommend that your baby drink a hypoallergenic formula or breast milk. Your baby might outgrow the allergy by age 1, but it is important to take the condition seriously and follow certain precautions. Almond milk, goat milk and rice milk are not safe or recommended. Depending on the state where you live, your health insurance might provide reimbursement for formula that is considered a medically necessary food.
Breast Milk
It is possible for the milk protein that causes the allergy to pass through breast milk. Therefore, a nursing mother should not consume dairy products, including cheese, yogurt and butter, as well as margarine, pudding and some chocolate if her baby develops a milk allergy. Read food labels, looking for phrases such as “contains milk ingredients,” “made with milk ingredients” or "processed in a facility that also processes milk products." The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends avoiding fish, peanuts and tree nuts, such as walnuts and almonds. Talk to your doctor about taking calcium and vitamins if you are nursing a baby with a milk allergy.
Isolated Soy Protein Based Formula
Soy-based formula is made with soy protein instead of milk protein. Your baby’s growth and development will not be compromised, as the formula is comparable to milk-based protein. For example, soy formula is iron fortified and includes essential vitamins and minerals. MayoClinic.com notes, however, that some infants will a milk allergy also develop an allergy to soy formula.
Extensively Hydrolyzed Formula
There are two types of hydrolyzed formulas: extensively and partially. The cow’s milk proteins in extensively hydrolyzed formula are reduced into small particles that are thought to be less allergenic than the whole protein in milk-based formula. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, partially hydrolyzed formula is more likely to cause an allergic reaction than its counterpart and therefore is not recommended for babies with a milk allergy.
Amino Acid-Based Formula
Amino acid-based formula is made from individual amino acids. They are safe for your baby and will provide the proper amount of protein she needs to grow. Your baby will be more likely to digest this formula, because the amino acids are in the simplest form and can be easily digested.
