
Cow’s milk allergy is an allergy to milk protein babies have when they are either fed with cow's milk directly or if the breastfeeding mother consumes cow's milk. This causes symptoms in the baby before being weaned, or if the baby consumes cow's milk protein, containing products during or after weaning. The allergy usually appears in the first year of a baby's life, most babies outgrow it after the first year of life.
When your baby is allergic to milk, his or her immune system which fights against infection overreacts to the protein contained in the milk. The baby’s body treats this milk protein as harmful invaders and starts working to fight against it. This leads to an allergic reaction in the body and the body then releases chemicals like histamine. Milk protein allergy can occur in adults as well but are more common in children.

Children who have milk allergy will show symptoms soon after consuming milk.
They show the following symptoms –
Allergic reactions to milk may vary from child to child. Few babies may show mild symptoms to severe life-threatening symptoms.

Children also can have an intolerance to milk in which they might show symptoms such as loose stools, blood in the stool, refusal to eat, or irritability or colic appear hours to days later.
A milk allergy should not be confused with lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance is when the body has trouble digesting the lactose in the milk. On consuming milk if your child seems to have an intolerance or an allergy, it is always best to consult a pediatrician.
Follow the food allergy action plan your doctor gave you if your child has an allergic reaction to milk. If your child shows serious symptoms, give an oral antihistamine at home and take your child to the nearest emergency room.
Although whatever you do, be very particular to first consult with your child specialist.
Want to consult the Best Pediatricians in India? Please find the links below.
If your baby has a cow’s milk allergy, they may experience vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, eczema, blood-stained stools, or colic pain. They may not gain weight because the milk interferes with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from other foods. Many children have allergic reactions to cow’s milk for the first few weeks or months. In most such cases, the reactions will settle down over time.
Yes, it is quite common for babies to have reactions to cow’s milk when it is first introduced. Over the next few weeks or months, as their bodies learn to adjust to the components in the milk, the allergies will settle. However, some children suffer from severe lactose intolerance and may never get over this allergy.
In most cases, the poop of babies struggling with milk allergy will be loose, slimy, smelly, and may even contain streaks of mucus or blood caused by gut inflammation. In addition to this, they may even experience diarrhoea, vomiting, colic pain, or poor weight gain.
Most babies have allergic reactions when introduced to cow’s milk. They take time to get used to the various compounds in the cow’s milk, and the allergic reactions will slowly fade away and settle.