What mothers need to know about milk allergy in babies

The immune system in children is not yet fully developed, making it easy for children to experience milk allergy. Parents need to learn carefully about this common condition in order to promptly detect and treat their children.

Allergies are dangerous, especially for young children. Milk is one of the most common causes of allergies. What do parents know about milk allergy in babies? Let's find out in the article below.

The nature of milk allergy in children

People of all ages are at risk for an allergy to milk. However, the age with most allergies is children under 1 year (about 2-3% of children). Some children still have this condition after growing up.

When a baby is allergic to milk, it means that the baby's immune system overreacts the protein in the milk. When a baby drinks milk, the body's immune system mistakes the proteins for foreign antibodies that are harmful to the body, so it starts working to fight them.

Children often develop a milk allergy within the first week after drinking milk. Babies who are breastfed are less likely to develop an allergy than babies who drink formula. However, infants who drink breast milk may also experience an allergy if the same ingredients are present in the mother's diet at the time of breastfeeding.

An allergy to cow's milk is different from lactose intolerance when the body is unable to digest milk. Some babies may develop an allergy to cow's milk right after drinking, and in others it may react after a few hours or days. Parents should take their children to see a doctor immediately if they notice that their child develops the symptoms of anaphylaxis such as seizures, coma, severe abdominal pain, cyanosis.

Some common signs of a milk allergy

Some possible symptoms of a baby with a milk allergy are:

Wheeze;

Shortness of breath;

A cough;

Hoarseness;

A choking sensation in the throat;

Stomachache;

Nausea;

Disease diarrhea ;

Burning pain, watery eyes, swelling of the eyes;

Hives;

Redness;

Swelling.

Milk allergy manifests itself differently at different times. Some cases only had mild symptoms and affected some parts of the body such as hives on the skin. If your child has had mild reactions in the past, it does not mean that he or she will not have them in the following allergies.

In the case of the slower response, the mother may see some of the following manifestations in the child:

Loose stools (blood may be included);

Nausea or vomiting;

Anorexia ;

Irritability;

Stomachache;

Skin rash like eczema.

Distinguish milk allergy and milk intolerance

Milk allergy

Milk allergy is a common phenomenon in babies due to the system's reaction to ingredients such as proteins in milk. If your baby is breastfed, his immune system may also react to this milk if the mother's diet contains milk-based ingredients. If the baby drinks formula, the body will react with the protein components in the milk. In other cases, the immune system sees the proteins in cow's milk as foreign substances that enter the body and pose a risk of harm, the body releases histamine or other substances to fight it off.

Milk intolerance

Milk intolerance usually does not react with protein in milk. Milk intolerance, on the other hand, is related to the digestive system and usually occurs when the mother gives a baby formula or breast milk but the baby cannot digest the sugar in the milk.

Congenital milk intolerance is a baby with a milk intolerance right from the moment of birth and this is also a rare phenomenon. Milk intolerance can be seen in both children and adults. Some of the symptoms children may experience when experiencing milk intolerance are:

Belching;

Diarrhea ;

Bulging abdomen;

Effervescent;

Eczema;

Abdominal pain, watery eyes, or other allergies;

No normal growth and weight gain.

How to prevent allergy to milk?

If the baby is breastfed

If you are breastfeeding, you should limit your use of dairy foods because the protein in milk is the main cause of milk allergy. Mothers should be cautious in choosing food by carefully checking the ingredients as well as the expiration date to ensure the food taken into the body is the best for both mother and baby.

You should also see your doctor for diagnosis and advice about calcium supplements or dairy alternatives.

If the baby is formula fed

If your baby is allergic to formula, it is best for parents to take them to see a doctor for advice about the type of milk suitable for the child's digestive system.

Milk allergy makes the absorption of nutrition in the baby limited and adversely affects the normal development of the baby. Parents need to equip the necessary knowledge about the above situation to ensure the best care for their babies during lactation.