Milky no-no
We usually want to breastfeed our babies exclusively for at least six months now that breast milk is considered the best food for your infant. However, this has proved almost impossible for a number of reasons like health concerns, mothers having to go back to work their three months maternity leave or simply the breast milk never being enough; making the parent to consider formula.
Milk allergy occurs when the immune systems mistakenly see the proteins in the milk as something the body should fight off. It starts an allergic reaction which could result in an infant being fussy and irritable, have stomach upsets among other symptoms.
Ideally, milk allergies disappear on its own by the time a child is about 3 years old. However some kids never outgrow it.
How then do you tell your baby is allergic to formula milk?
» Feed your baby on one formula for a reasonably long time because switching brands can make it difficult for you to determine whether or not your baby has an allergy.
» Constantly check for any skin changes, rashes or eczema on your baby’s body.
» Pay attention to your baby’s reaction when he is feeding. He may become extremely fussy or whinny.
» Look out for abnormal amount of spit up or vomiting.
» A circular rash may appear around your baby’s anus.
» Examine his bowel movement, if there is a significant change after introducing her to formula, there could be a likelihood that your baby is allergic to formula.
» Your baby’s tongue, face or mouth may swell.
» He may experience loose smelly stool or constipation in some instances
» Check for bouts of respiratory problems like wheezing, breathing problems and develops excess mucus in the nose and throat.
» In case you suspect that your infant is developing an allergic reaction to formula milk, talk to your doctor. The doctor will most likely carryout a series of tests to rule out any other health problems before prescribing any allergy medication. He may also advice you to switch formulas and offer alternatives and solutions of how best you can go about it. Some of the options available include soy protein based formula or a hypoallergenic formula whose proteins are broken down thus reducing its chances of triggering an allergic reaction.
Caution
» Avoid introducing your child to cow-milk before he turns six months. Check with a dietitian for when to start introducing milk.
» When you do start to give your child milk, start by giving her a very small amount once in a while. This will help the child develop the enzymes necessary for digestion gracefully.
END: BL35/11