Cow's milk protein enteritis

[First Time Mom]

Has anyone heard of this?
My dd has cow's milk protein enteritis as opposed to a cow's milk allergy but I'm not sure the difference (other than the fact that enteritis results in blood in the stool). Instead of "trying" milk in my diet to see if she's over it I have to wait another 6 months and then take dd for blood work followed by a milk challenge. If anyone has info on this I would be interested in hearing (what is the damage done to her intestines, how to treat, etc). The allergist dd was sent to didn't give me any info other than to stay clear of even a drop of milk for at least another 6 months.

[Mom to M&M]

It's basically one and the same, from what I understand. I believe that enteritis is a non-IgE mediated reaction to a cow's milk allergy.

Are you still breastfeeding? If so, you'll want to stay clear of all sources of hidden dairy as well - and possibly soy since many babies with CMA (cows milk allergy) have a problem with soy too. I think the only treatment would be to totally avoid all dairy for now and allow her stomach to heal. Do you have her on probiotics? This may help as well. FYI, I believe that 50-90% of children with CMA will develop oral tolerance by the age of 6 - but some severely allergic problems persist through adulthood.

You may want to have the allergist consult with a GI doctor as well? HTH

[First Time Mom]

Thanks Karen. I do bf and have been off all milk products for almost 7 months, and yes, I've even cut out bread and baked goods- it's amazing what does have butter or milk! I will look into the probiotics.

[Mom to M&M]

So you've been off all dairy products, even hidden dairy, for 7 months? Have you or your doctor considered the possibility that your DD may actually be allergic to the complete protein and not only dairy? Unfortunately, if that is the case, Neocate or Elecare would be in order. Believe me, I fully support breastfeeding but sadly about one in 10,000 babies (or 22,000 babies a year in the US) are allergic to breastmilk because of an allergy to complete protein.

[First Time Mom]

My allergist did a skin test for milk and it turned out to be fine, meaning she wasn't allergic but he said this test doesn't show for milk protein, he was convinced because of her previous blood in stool that it was milk enteritis. For her first 6 months she had blood in her stool on and off but was always a "happy" baby after her first 6 weeks (when I ate lots of cheese). I make my food 95% of the time and if I eat out I make sure I inquire about milk products. Last week we were away and it was fine with the exception of one restaurant where I think they screwed up and gave me veggies with butter instead of oil like they said they would- following this dd had very loose stools for 3 days (but no visable blood). It's times like this that I worry if she can have permanent damage done to her intestines.

Allergy to breastmilk was never discussed or considered. She gains weight very slowly (8 months and is now 13.5 pounds, very petite) but also doesn't have much of an appetite for solids either- she will eat 8-13 tbsps in a day. For the record, my mom said I was on cow's milk at 6 months (hey, it was 1966- what did they know?!) and I threw up practically daily until I was 3 and had a weight issue until I hit my teens (never gaining enough), doc's said it was because I was a premie (I'm a twin) and my stomach was not fully developed , I now think I probably had a milk allergy. My sis says dd's feed issues are pay back for all the suffering I caused my mom .

I worry about her eating enough solids and drinking enough bmilk though she's a happy baby. I'm fine to continue this limited diet I'm on but I do worry about her getting calcium. I was a tad worried because I had not heard the term enteritis and the allergist made it sound different to allergy. I just wish I didn't have to wait 6 more months to get the blood work done to look for "hidden" blood in her stool and to see if she's outgrown this or not.