For most of us, milk (dairy) is a part of our everyday lives. It’s in your breakfast cereal. It’s in your baked goods. It’s in the cheese on top of your favorite burger. And it’s even a big part of what your baby eats during their first few years.
It’s no surprise then that plenty of new parents worry about their baby developing a milk allergy. But before we jump into the details, here are some quick facts to get started:
- About 3% of babies have a milk allergy
- Most children outgrow their milk allergy by the time they’re five years old
- A milk allergy is your baby’s reaction to proteins found in milk
- Babies usually show symptoms within a few days or weeks of ingesting cows’ milk formula
- Cows’ milk is an ingredient in most baby formulas
- Breastfed babies have a lower risk of milk allergy compared to formula-fed babies
- Milk allergies are more common in babies than peanut allergies
Now that you’ve got some background info, it’s time to learn even more about milk allergies in babies.
Here’s what’s inside this guide:
- Milk allergy symptoms in babies
- Cows’ milk allergy (CMPA or CMA)
- When to call 911 for a milk allergy
- Top foods to avoid if your baby has a milk allergy
- How to prevent and treat milk allergies in babies
- Milk allergy vs lactose intolerance
- How to diagnose milk allergies in babies
- FAQ: Everything you need to know about baby milk allergies
Milk Allergy Symptoms in Babies
True milk allergies are a result of an immune system response inside your baby’s body. Their body doesn’t see milk as something nutritious — they see it as an intruder or an invader.
Your baby’s immune system sends antibodies on a mission to get rid of the intruder. And as those antibodies fight off milk proteins, physical symptoms start showing up. Most milk allergy symptoms in babies manifest in a couple of hours. Here’s a list of the most common milk allergy signs and symptoms to look out for:
Mild milk allergy
- Runny nose or congestion
- Coughing and sneezing
- Dry, itchy, or red skin
Moderate milk allergy
- Hives, rashes, or raised red bumps along the skin
- Vomiting or reflux
- Colic
- Diarrhea
- Green, watery, frothy, or loose stools
- Constipation
- Refusing to eat/feed
Severe milk allergy
- Blood in the stool
- Challenged breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Anaphylaxis (rare)
Many parents also notice excessive fussiness, sleeplessness, or colic. If your baby cries several hours a day, several days a week, it could be a sign they’re experiencing pain related to CMPA.
How milk allergies present in babies
- Digestive Symptoms - 60% of infants with milk allergies.
- Skin Symptoms - 70% of infants with milk allergies
- Respiratory Symptoms - 30% of infants with milk allergies
Cows’ Milk Allergy in Babies (CMA/CMPA)
When people talk about milk allergies, they usually mean cows' milk allergies. This is an allergic reaction to the proteins found in cow’s milk. And you’ll notice it has a few different acronyms:
- Cows’ milk allergy (CMA)
- Cows’ milk protein allergy (CMPA)
It’s the most common type of food allergy in babies, impacting up to 3% of all infants in the UK. It usually shows up when you introduce your baby to formulas or solid foods. And cows’ milk proteins can also pass through a mother’s breast milk to her baby. A common CMPA treatment for babies is avoiding milk and dairy products completely.
There are two types of CMPA:
- Immediate CMPA - Your baby shows symptoms within minutes of ingesting cows’ milk
- Skin Symptoms - Your baby shows symptoms several hours or even days after ingestion
When to Call 911 for a Milk Allergy
Although it’s rare, some milk allergy reactions can be life-threatening. If you notice your baby has any of these symptoms, immediately call 911 and seek emergency care.
- Shortness of breath or challenged breathing
- Stopped breathing
- Severe swelling of the mouth, throat, or face
- Severe cramping and abdominal pain
- Fast pulse and/or low blood pressure
- Loss of consciousness
Such clusters of symptoms make up a condition called anaphylaxis. It’s a sudden and extreme allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention.
While you and your baby wait for emergency medical attention, there are a few things you can do:
- Administer an epinephrine injection (also known as an EpiPen® or auto-injector)
- Give your child over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines if they’re of age
Keep in mind that even if your baby’s symptoms dissipate, it’s possible that another wave of symptoms occurs. Always seek emergency care if your child has a severe allergic response. This is best even if symptoms seem to go away after a few minutes.
Top Foods to Avoid if your Baby has a Milk Allergy
If your baby has a milk allergy, the best way to manage it is by limiting dairy consumption. When you control your child’s exposure to dairy, you also control their risk of reaction. Here’s a list of foods to avoid when your child starts eating solid foods.
Drinks
Not OK
- Any kind of milk (evaporated, low-fat, whole milk, and so on)
- Yogurt-based drinks
- Milkshakes or malts
OK
- Soy-based or plant-based formulas
- Water
- Fruit drinks
Bread
Cereals
Eggs
Fats
Fruits, vegetables, and starches
Meats and other animal products
Sweets and desserts
Everything listed in the table above is a rough guideline. Not all foods listed above are appropriate for babies, but they might be for older children. Always check with a medical professional about what’s right for your baby’s diet or your child’s age. And don’t forget to check food labels for dairy and milk ingredients like:
Contains Milk
- Butter
- Casein
- Caseinates
- Cheese
- Cream
- Curds
- Custard
- Dairy product solids
- Galactose
- Ghee
- Hydrolysates
- Ice cream
- Lactalbumin
- Lactate solids
- Lactic acid yeast
- Lactitol monohydrate
- Lactoglobulin
- Lactose
- Lactulose
- Milk
- Milk fat
- Nisin preparation
- Nougat
- Pudding
- Quark
- Rennet
- Sherbet
- Sour cream
- Whey
- Whipped cream
- Yogurt
May Contain Milk
- Artificial flavoring
- Natural flavoring
- Caramel flavoring
- Flavoring
- High protein flour
- Lactic acid
- “Non-dairy” products
- Rice cheese
- Soy cheese
How to Prevent and Treat Milk Allergies in Babies
Milk allergies aren’t curable, but they can sometimes go away on their own with age. In the meantime, work with your baby’s doctor or allergist to develop a treatment plan. Some common milk allergy prevention techniques include:
| Allergy action plans |
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| Medications |
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| Food label monitoring |
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| Breastfeeding vs. formula-feeding |
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Milk Allergy vs Lactose Intolerance
Milk allergy and intolerance symptoms look a lot alike, so it’s hard to tell the difference. If your child has a true milk allergy, their immune system attacks the proteins found in cows’ milk. But if they have an intolerance, their body lacks an enzyme that breaks down lactose.
Here are the symptoms of each. Even though they’re similar, notice intolerances usually impact just the digestive tract.
Milk allergy symptoms (immune system)
- Hives or other skin rashes
- Vomiting
- Swelling of the mouth, face, or eyes
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Fussiness, sleeplessness, or excessive crying
- Green, watery, frothy, or loose stools
- Common in babies and young children
- Usually goes away with age
Lactose intolerance symptoms (digestive system)
- Bloating
- Gas
- Stomach aches
- Liquid, green, and/or frothy stools
- Rare in babies and young children
- Usually develops with age
The best way to know whether your child has an allergy or intolerance is to visit a medical professional. Doctors and allergists have the tools necessary to diagnose and treat your baby.
How to Diagnose Milk Allergies in Babies
If you suspect your baby has a milk allergy, talk with your doctor right away. They’ll work with you to examine your baby, check their diet, and analyze their symptoms. It’s likely your doctor will order some tests and/or refer you to an allergist for a:
Skin test
Blood test
Stool test
Elimination diet
Explore Other Most Common Foods Causing Allergies in Babies
FAQ: Everything you need to Know about Milk Allergy in Babies
Can babies eat other dairy products if they’re allergic to milk?
Babies with milk allergies can’t eat products made with cows’ milk. This includes dairy products like:
- Butter
- Cheese
- Custard
- Ice cream
- Nougat
- Pudding
- Sour cream
- Yogurt
Here’s a full list of ingredients to check for on food labels to make sure your baby doesn’t eat any dairy products.
