Author Topic: Cow's milk protein allergy  (Read 1419 times)

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Offline llnewton

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Cow's milk protein allergy
« on: January 09, 2009, 18:13:17 pm »
Hi

My paediatrician thinks my 10 week old may have this allergy. He based this on the fact that he possibly has a bit of eczema and has been waking every 45 mins during the day. He doesn't seem to have any trouble feeding and doesn't really cry all that much. Poos are fine. We're not really sure why he thinks this but we're trying an exclusion diet (I'm breastfeeding) for a couple of weeks. I've got a couple of questions please?

What should I be looking for as improvement?
What's the most palatable cow's milk protein free formula as I sometimes need to give top ups? I've heard they can be a bit horrible
Is this the same as MPSI?

Would be grateful for your help

Thanks

Offline Spectra

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Re: Cow's milk protein allergy
« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2009, 18:48:48 pm »
Cow's milk protein allergy or intolerance is often referred to as MPI, Milk Protein Intolerance.  Most babies who have this also cannot tolerate soy so it's called MSPI, Milk/Soy Protein Intolerance.  They don't usually refer to it as an allergy because it cannot be tested through an allergy test.

My son had eczema and it would get worse and worse.  He also had a constant runny nose/congestion, super crankiness, tired, etc.  However waking after 45min is a VERY common thing for a lot of babies.  It has to do with their sleep cycle.  My son would wake up several times a night due to the itchiness that came with his eczema.

My son didn't have any problems with the formulas.  He tried the Alimentum and eventually the Neocate.  Taste-wise he didn't seem to care.  If you add it slowly he probably won't notice.  I would eliminate the dairy first from your diet.  Takes a few weeks for it all to leave their system though to see if anything improves.  If still nothing I would suggest then eliminating soy.  And don't forget all the hidden dairy/soy under different names in many processed foods, such as in breads.  If you did both and after a few weeks still nothing then I would think it had nothing to do with the milk or soy.
Melanie
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Offline llnewton

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Re: Cow's milk protein allergy
« Reply #2 on: January 09, 2009, 19:59:01 pm »
thanks so much.  We'll see how it goes.  Am a bit skeptical of the diagnosis as he didn't take much of a history but we'll see. Archie's skin is fine really, just a bit dry on his shins. Going to miss the cheese!

Offline gallaghc

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Re: Cow's milk protein allergy
« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2009, 20:13:20 pm »
My son has the cow's milk protein allergy and it was diagnosed at about 3 weeks because he wasn't gaining weight (less than half ounce per day).  He also had bad baby acne and a diaper rash and was fussy.    I stopped all dairy and within 4 days he was back up gaining over 1 ounce per day.   Is your LO gaining weight OK?  If so, and he's not fussy, I'd wonder at that diagnosis.

Anyway, my LO's 5 1/2 months old and I started him on formula recently.  I tried Nutramigen by Enfamil and that seemed to be OK but a bit expensive.  I've also tried the soy based formula and its OK as well (and cheaper).

hope that helps.

Offline llnewton

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Re: Cow's milk protein allergy
« Reply #4 on: January 09, 2009, 20:23:41 pm »
Thanks a lot. My LOL is gaining about 1.5oz per day according to our latest weigh in! He was  5 weeks prem but is doing well now. He did go through a stage of grunting and groaning at night but that seems to have stopped. My hubby had cow's milk intolerance as a baby but only when he was weaned when he at milk his lips swelled up. Of course he's fine now. I think the paed guy had MSPI as his hobby horse.

Thanks for all the help

Offline Spectra

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Re: Cow's milk protein allergy
« Reply #5 on: January 09, 2009, 20:57:37 pm »
lol.  Yeah it seems weird for him to jump to that diagnoses so soon.  Usually we hear the opposite story.  Seems like most doctors don't like to go that route until the end.  Just from a little eczema on his legs is really not that serious, I'd think.  Let us know how dropping the cheese goes.
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Offline llnewton

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Re: Cow's milk protein allergy
« Reply #6 on: January 09, 2009, 23:00:13 pm »
Will do. I've found some yummy goat's cheese so I'm not feeling too hard done by ... yet!