Cow Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) in Babies, Its Symptoms, and Ways to Deal With It

By Bharti Ruparel | Updated: 16/11/2021

Cow Milk Protein Allergy occurs in very rare babies. Hardly 2% of babies have this problem. Therefore, the awareness regarding this is also very low in our country. I wasn’t aware of it until I discovered this problem with my son. I had to go through hard times as a new mom due to a lack of knowledge in this regard. So I just hope this article would be helpful to all those mommies whose babies are suffering from CMPA.

What Is CMPA?

In CMPA, the immunity system of the baby does not accept cow milk protein and considers it a harmful product for the body. Most of the babies who suffer from CMPA will also have an allergy to all other animal milk. Hence it becomes very difficult for these babies to take any animal milk. The immune system starts acting to protect the baby and hence the following symptoms will be observed.

Symptoms of CPMA

1. Vomiting

2. Diarrhoea (with or without blood)

3. Persistent cough

4. Swelling of lips or eyelids

5. Hives, eczema

6. Tiredness

7. Lethargy

8. Restlessness

9. Distress

10. Sleeping Problems

Besides these symptoms, there may be other symptoms as well. My son had a fever after every 15 days with 100 degree to 101 degree and it wouldn’t come down even after giving antibiotics. It was only then we started to think and came across the problem.

How to Deal With CMPA

Firstly, you will have to cut out milk and all the products that have cow milk. No milk product should be given to the baby. In rare cases, milk protein affects the baby through breast milk but if it does in your case then the mother will have to stop taking milk and milk products as well.
If your baby is only of a few days or a few months and has CMPA, then breast milk is the best. One thing to keep in mind is all infant formulas have cow milk and won’t be useful.
Many times CMPA is confused with lactose intolerance but both of them are very different.
It is important that you do not experiment with a cow’s milk-free diet for your baby without recommendation and guidance from your doctor.

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