Madeleine Hull
If your baby is showing signs of a dairy allergy or milk protein intolerance, your doctor may recommend eliminating dairy from your diet while you are breastfeeding. This can be challenging, but it is possible, and it is important to remember that it will not impact your milk supply. It can take 10 to 20 days to eliminate cow's milk protein from your system, and you may see some improvement in your baby's symptoms almost right away. However, it can take up to 6 weeks or longer for your system to adapt fully and for the symptoms to dissipate. During this time, it is essential to stick to a healthy, balanced diet and stay hydrated, ensuring you are getting enough healthy fats and at least an extra 500 calories per day.
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What You'll Learn
Signs your baby has a dairy allergy or intolerance
Dairy is one of the most common intolerances and allergies in infants, and it can be challenging to identify in babies. If you suspect your baby is reacting to dairy in your diet, you should consult a healthcare professional. They may refer you to an allergist, who can perform skin, blood, or stool tests to diagnose an allergy.
- Skin issues: Rashes, eczema, or other skin problems are common symptoms of a dairy allergy. About 50-70% of babies with a cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) exhibit cutaneous symptoms.
- Digestive problems: Fussiness, vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, and loose stools can be signs of a dairy intolerance or allergy. Blood or mucus in the stool may also indicate lactose intolerance.
- Respiratory issues: Constant congestion can be a symptom of a dairy allergy.
- Poor weight gain: A cow's milk allergy can cause poor weight gain or even weight loss in babies, which can affect their overall development.
- Other symptoms: Babies with a dairy allergy may also experience irritability, colic, gas, spit up, or refusal to eat.
If you suspect your baby has a dairy allergy or intolerance, it is essential to work with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action. They may recommend eliminating dairy from your diet and gradually reintroducing it later to test your baby's tolerance. In the meantime, you can substitute dairy products with plant-based alternatives like almond, cashew, rice, oat, flax, or coconut milk. Additionally, focus on including foods rich in calcium, potassium, vitamin D, and protein, such as chia seeds, soy milk, nuts, dried figs, tofu, lean meat, fish, beans, and fortified orange juice.
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Dairy-free alternatives for breastfeeding mothers
Breastfeeding mothers may need to cut out dairy from their diets if their baby has a cow's milk intolerance or allergy, also known as a cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA). CMPA is a condition that causes injury to the gastrointestinal system and is one of the most common intolerances and allergies in infants. If your baby is sensitive or allergic to something you are consuming, they may exhibit symptoms such as inconsolable fussiness, vomiting, rashes, or constant congestion.
To eliminate dairy from your diet while breastfeeding, it is necessary to remove all sources of dairy, at least at the beginning. This includes discontinuing cow dairy and soy, as soy formula may contain intact cow's milk proteins. However, removing dairy from your diet can create gaps in crucial nutrients like calcium, which is essential for the baby's teeth and bone development and the mother's bone maintenance and heart function.
To ensure you are getting enough calcium while on a dairy-free diet, there are several dairy-free alternatives that are fortified with calcium. These include plant-based milks such as almond, cashew, rice, oat, flax, and coconut milk, which are available in most grocery stores. Oat milk has a thicker consistency and is the closest option to whole milk in terms of texture and flavor. These plant-based alternatives are also available in the form of desserts, yogurts, and cheeses, providing a variety of options for dairy-free breastfeeding mothers.
In addition to plant-based milk alternatives, there are also several vegetables that are good sources of calcium. These include white beans, edamame beans, broccoli, chickpeas, cabbage, and tomatoes. By combining these dairy-free alternatives and including calcium-rich vegetables in your diet, you can ensure that you and your baby are getting the recommended amount of calcium while still avoiding dairy.
Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed your infant as it provides them with essential nutrition and antibodies. However, if you choose to stop breastfeeding or are unable to produce enough milk, there are alternative options available. Soy-based formulas are a safe and nutritious option for babies who cannot tolerate dairy-based formulas. Hydrolyzed formulas, where the protein is broken down into smaller pieces, can also be easier for babies to digest and may reduce symptoms of gut discomfort. Additionally, you can purchase breast milk online or obtain it from milk banks or through casual milk sharing with friends or family. However, it is important to exercise caution when purchasing breast milk online or through casual sharing, as there are risks of contamination or transmission of infections.
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How to identify hidden sources of dairy
Dairy can be found in both food and non-food items. It can be challenging to identify hidden sources of dairy, as they are often not labelled clearly. Here are some tips to help you identify hidden sources of dairy:
- Read food labels carefully: Dairy can be present in processed foods and unexpected products, such as baked goods, snacks, salad dressings, protein bars, and candies. Look out for dairy derivatives like whey, casein, lactose, buttermilk, milk powder, and ghee.
- Be cautious with bread: It is common for bread dough to be fortified with milk or butter, especially in dinner rolls and sweeter breads like brioche.
- Check spice blends and seasoning mixes: While most spice blends are safe, some, like taco seasoning and ranch mix, often have added whey or milk powder.
- Examine non-food items: Dairy can be found in non-food items, such as cosmetics and personal care products. Contact allergies to dairy can occur, so it is important to be aware of dairy in non-food items as well.
- Research product information: Familiarize yourself with the ingredients and manufacturing processes of the products you consume. Contact the manufacturer if you need more information. Some companies provide detailed information on their websites, while others may require a phone call to obtain the necessary details.
- Utilize online resources: Websites like barnivore.com can help you identify vegan-friendly and dairy-free options. Other sites like SnackSafely.com and Go Dairy Free offer product guides and information on hidden dairy sources.
- Shop trusted brands: Especially if you are newly diagnosed with a dairy allergy or intolerance, it is advisable to shop from trusted brands that have a track record of providing safe products for individuals with dairy restrictions.
By following these tips and staying vigilant, you can effectively identify hidden sources of dairy and make informed choices about the foods and products you consume.
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How to ensure you get enough calcium without dairy
Dairy products tend to be the richest source of calcium, but there are many other foods that can provide the calcium you need. Calcium is crucial for the development of your baby's teeth and bones, as well as for your bone maintenance and heart function.
If you are breastfeeding and dairy-free, you can try plant-based milk substitutes such as almond, cashew, rice, oat, flax, or coconut milk. These can be used in recipes or consumed on their own. Oat milk, in particular, has a thicker consistency and is the closest option to whole milk. In addition to milk substitutes, there are also plant-based substitutes in the form of desserts, yogurts, and cheeses.
You can also get your calcium from vegetables. Some vegetables that contain calcium include white beans, edamame beans, broccoli, chickpeas, cabbage, and tomatoes.
Other calcium-rich foods that are not dairy products include sardines, seeds, and leafy greens.
Vitamin D is also crucial for increasing the absorption of calcium in the body, so make sure you are getting regular sun exposure or taking a supplement.
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Other nutrients to be aware of when cutting out dairy
Dairy is a source of several essential nutrients, including calcium, protein, and vitamins B12 and D. These nutrients are important for bone health, immune function, and energy levels. When cutting dairy out of your diet, it is crucial to ensure that you are still getting adequate amounts of these nutrients from other sources.
Calcium is necessary for bone and teeth development and maintenance, nerve and muscle function, blood clotting, and maintaining a regular heartbeat. Good non-dairy sources of calcium include fatty fish like sardines, plant-based milk alternatives (often fortified with calcium), spinach, white beans, edamame beans, broccoli, chickpeas, cabbage, and tomatoes.
Vitamin D is important for bone health and can be found in fatty fish like sardines and plant-based milk alternatives (often fortified with vitamin D). Spending time in the sun can also help your body produce vitamin D.
Vitamin B12 is crucial for immune function and energy levels. It can be found in plant-based milk alternatives (often fortified with B12) and some nutritional yeasts.
Protein is essential for muscle growth and repair and can be obtained from a variety of plant and animal sources, including lean meats, eggs, beans, lentils, and nuts.
It is worth noting that cutting out dairy can be especially challenging for breastfeeding mothers, as it may impact the mother's nutrient intake and the composition of her breast milk. If you are breastfeeding and considering cutting out dairy, it is important to consult a healthcare professional to ensure that you and your baby are still getting the necessary nutrients. Additionally, keep in mind that there are many plant-based alternatives to dairy, such as almond, cashew, rice, oat, flax, and coconut milk, which can help make the transition easier.
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Frequently asked questions
Signs of a milk protein allergy in babies may include gas, an upset tummy, or mucous-filled diapers. Symptoms of an allergy may range from mild to life-threatening. Reactions usually happen within 1 to 2 hours after being exposed to cow’s milk protein.
You should avoid all dairy products, including milk, yoghurt, cheese, butter, and foods containing milk or milk ingredients. You should also avoid other mammal milks, such as goat's milk, as they contain similar proteins to cow's milk.
Non-dairy food sources rich in calcium include fortified plant-based milk alternatives and cereals, leafy green vegetables, broccoli, chia seeds, and soy and pinto beans.
It can take anywhere from 10 days to 3 weeks for cow's milk protein to fully leave your system and even longer for your system to adapt and the symptoms to dissipate.
If your baby did not have a particularly severe reaction to dairy, you might try a small amount to see if any mild symptoms occur. However, this should only be done with the approval of your baby's pediatrician or allergist.
