According to statistics, in the United States from an allergy to milk protein affects about 100,000 babies a year. The feeding of such newborns, which are allergic to milk, is difficult, because cow's milk is a part of many formulas for feeding children. There are cases when newborns have an allergic reaction even to feeding their mother's milk.
The allergy to milk has its negative consequences and affects the health of the baby. So, the child begins to suffer from bloating, constant gas formation, often crying and belching. And some babies may have attacks of nausea after the procedure of feeding and constipation.
Manifestations of an allergic reaction to milk in infants
The main signs of a potential allergy to milk protein in newborns are eight symptoms:
- Diarrhea is a fairly common disorder in newborns. The appearance of blood in the feces is a sign of a strong allergy to milk.
- Nausea and frequent regurgitation after the procedure of feeding.
- Irritation and rash on the skin.
- Changing the behavior of the child. Infants with an allergy to milk, very often and for a long time cry because of the pain in their tummy.
- Changes in body weight. A small increase in weight or, in general, its absence due to diarrhea and nausea are signs of a serious disorder.
- Gas formation. A large number of gases formed in the baby's stomach also indicate an allergy to milk proteins.
- Whistling or labored breathing, the presence of mucus in the throat and nose are also considered signs of an allergic reaction of the baby's body to proteins in milk.
- Dehydration, loss of appetite, lack of energy, which arise because of allergic processes in the newborn. The child does not have enough nutrients, which prevents the child's organism from growing and developing normally.
Why does the milk allergy develop?
The fact is that some of the proteins that make up milk are potential allergens and can trigger the development of an allergic reaction. These proteins include both casein and whey, which are the main components of milk. From the total amount of milk proteins, casein is 80%, whey - up to 20% and contains two major allergic components - beta-lactaglobulin and alpha-lactalbumin.
In the case when the immune system of a child reacts to milk proteins as a dangerous substance (as for an infection, for a foreign protein), it triggers the immune response mechanisms, namely, an allergic reaction in response to an allergen, in which case the protein is a protein. In turn, this leads to violations of the functions of the newborn's gastrointestinal tract, discomfort and constant crying of the baby. Breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of developing allergies to breast milk compared with artificial feeding.
With age, the allergy to milk must pass by itself, usually this occurs when the child reaches the age of three. But, unfortunately, there are examples where children are allergic to milk proteins throughout their lives.
Nutrition of children with allergies to milk proteins
Children who are allergic to milk should not eat yoghurts, cheeses, ice cream, cereals containing cows in the dry milk. Buttermilk and butter are also not recommended.
Cow's milk can be replaced with almond, rice, oatmeal or soy milk. To ensure that the infant does not lack nutrients, it is necessary to combine cow milk substitutes along with tofu and fruit juices.
Allergy and lactose intolerance
There is a misconception that lactose intolerance and milk allergy are synonymous terms, which is not true. Intolerance to lactose involves the under-digestion of sugar milk and is extremely rare in infants. He is affected by older children and adults. This is an individual intolerance to the carbohydrate of milk. And the allergy develops in response to the milk protein, rather than sugar, and is common in young children and newborns.