Menu
We’ve established a series of questions to help highlight signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction to cow milk protein. If you think your baby has a food allergy, these 7 questions from our CMA symptom checker can serve as a starting point to talk to your doctor about your concerns.
You may have noticed some skin reactions after feeding, or your baby refluxing a little too often. There are a number of potential causes for the symptoms your baby might have.
But how can you be sure if your baby has a cow milk or food allergy? Please talk to your healthcare professional if you have any concerns
Always consult your doctor or dietitian for guidance before modifying your baby’s diet
While it is quite common for babies to spit up, if your baby does so frequently, it could be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux (GER). In some babies, having GER is a sign of cow milk allergy, or multiple food allergy.
There are different possible causes for skin rashes on infants. A possible factor is cow milk allergy, especially if the rash occurs in conjunction with other signs mentioned in this questionnaire.
All babies tend to be gassy, but it is a question of frequency. If your child is persistently gassy and displays some of the other symptoms mentioned here, it can be a sign of cow milk or food allergy.
Crying inconsolably for long periods of time is unusual. Determining whether a baby has colic is still a subject of debate, but the “Rule of 3’s” is a good guide: if your baby cries for 3+ hours a day for more than 3 days in a week, over 3 weeks, you should consult your doctor.
Cow milk allergy or other food allergy can cause digestive pain, thus explaining a baby’s fussiness and crying.
Colds are common for infants, but wheezing, struggling to breathe and developing excess mucus in the nose and throat are not. For some children, respiratory issues like these are signs of a cow milk or food allergy.
Normally, a baby’s stool is usually looser than an adult’s. A loose stool from time to time is not abnormal. But if the baby’s stool becomes more watery, and persistent (2-4 times a day for more than 5-7 days) and/or if you see blood in your baby’s stool, this could be a sign of a cow milk allergy.
Most infants double in weight before their sixth month and triple it by their first birthday. Healthy weight gain is indicated by following the curve in growth charts. A cow milk or food allergy can cause symptoms that makes it more difficult for infants to get the nutrition they need. This can contribute to slow growth in babies.
Based on your answers, your baby may be showing one or more possible symptoms of a cow milk allergy or multiple food allergy. Your doctor should be consulted for a more thorough medical examination.
Please print this page to bring it to your next appointment. If your doctor suspects a milk or food allergy, they may recommend a hypoallergenic formula, such as Neocate.
Neocate is different from cow milk-based formulas because it uses 100% non-allergenic free amino acids. The amino acids – the building blocks of protein – in Neocate are easy for infants to digest and absorb, and cannot trigger an allergic response.
An elimination diet using Neocate can help manage food allergy-related conditions symptoms. The Neocate range of products offers hypoallergenic amino acid-based formulas to help support normal growth and development for patients with CMA, MFA and related GI and allergic conditions.Talk to your doctor to check if Neocate is a good fit.
According to your answers, your baby is not showing any of the 7 main symptoms associated with cow milk allergy. If you still have any concerns, consult your doctor.
Food allergies and related conditions can sometimes be difficult to diagnose, especially in infants and young children. In addition to allergy testing, clinicians depend on discussions with patients and/or caregivers to make a diagnosis. If your little one has had symptoms that could be a result of food allergies, but you don’t yet have a firm diagnosis, be prepared for your next visit to the doctor with some helpful questions.
Here are some resources to help you get prepared for your next discussion:
While it is quite common for babies to spit up, if your baby does so frequently, it could be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux (GER). In some babies, having GER is a sign of cow milk allergy, or multiple food allergy.
There are different possible causes for skin rashes on infants. A possible factor is cow milk allergy, especially if the rash occurs in conjunction with other signs mentioned in this questionnaire.
All babies tend to be gassy, but it is a question of frequency. If your child is persistently gassy and displays some of the other symptoms mentioned here, it can be a sign of cow milk or food allergy.
Crying inconsolably for long periods of time is unusual. Determining whether a baby has colic is still a subject of debate, but the “Rule of 3’s” is a good guide: if your baby cries for 3+ hours a day for more than 3 days in a week, over 3 weeks, you should consult your doctor.
Cow milk allergy or other food allergy can cause digestive pain, thus explaining a baby’s fussiness and crying.
Colds are common for infants, but wheezing, struggling to breathe and developing excess mucus in the nose and throat are not. For some children, respiratory issues like these are signs of a cow milk or food allergy.
Normally, a baby’s stool is usually looser than an adult’s. A loose stool from time to time is not abnormal. But if the baby’s stool becomes more watery, and persistent (2-4 times a day for more than 5-7 days) and/or if you see blood in your baby’s stool, this could be a sign of a cow milk allergy.
Most infants double in weight before their sixth month and triple it by their first birthday. Healthy weight gain is indicated by following the curve in growth charts. A cow milk or food allergy can cause symptoms that makes it more difficult for infants to get the nutrition they need. This can contribute to slow growth in babies.
Nutricia North America is B Corp™ certified. As part of the B Corp™, we have joined a movement of like-minded companies working together to strengthen the role of business in driving social and environmental good for all. Learn more : bcorporation.net
