Step 1: Recognizing Cow's Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) in Your Baby

Knowing what to look for is the first step toward getting your baby the right help. Learn symptoms of CMPA and what your doctor will assess during your visit.

Cow's Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) happens when your baby's immune system reacts to the proteins in cow's milk and dairy products, including regular infant formula.

If allergies run in your family, it's worth knowing that your little one might be more likely to develop CMPA too. For example, if you or your partner have allergic rhinitis (hay fever), eczema, or food allergies, your baby has a higher chance of developing this allergy.¹  

Evaluating and Assessing CMPA in Your Baby

The first step to understanding if your baby has cow's milk protein allergy is having a thorough conversation with your pediatrician. Your doctor will ask detailed questions about:

• Your baby's symptoms
• Your family's allergy history
• What your baby has been eating
• How your baby has been growing
• Any foods or triggers you suspect might be causing issues

This information helps your doctor figure out what type of allergy your baby might have (since symptoms can show up differently) and determine whether any tests are needed. Most importantly, it guides the best way to manage your baby's condition.^2,3 

Your doctor will want to know about three key areas:

Personal History Any personal history of allergic conditions (such as asthma, eczema, or allergic rhinitis).2,3	Family History Whether parents or siblings have a history of allergies (such as asthma, eczema, or allergic rhinitis).2,3	Nutritional History Detailed information related to the child's diet, growth, and suspected allergenic foods/agents.2

References

1. Fox, A. T., Wopereis, H., Van Ampting, M. T., Oude Nijhuis, M. M., Butt, A. M., Peroni, D. G., Vandenplas, Y., Candy, D. C., Shah, N., West, C. E., Garssen, J., Harthoorn, L. F., Knol, J., & Michaelis, L. J. (2019). A specific synbiotic-containing amino acid-based formula in dietary management of cow’s milk allergy: A randomized controlled trial. Clinical and Translational Allergy, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13601-019-0241-3
2. NHS National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. 2011. Food allergy in children and young people. Retrieved from https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg116/evidence/full-guideline-136470061
3. Venter, Carina, Brown, T., Meyer, R., Walsh, J., Shah, N., Nowak-Węgrzyn, A., Chen, T.-X., Fleischer, D. M., Heine, R. G., Levin, M., Vieira, M. C., & Fox, A. T. (2017). Better recognition, diagnosis and management of non-ige-mediated cow’s milk allergy in infancy: IMAP—an international interpretation of the map (milk allergy in primary care) guideline. Clinical and Translational Allergy, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13601-017-0162-y

Caution: Breast milk is the best food for the health and comprehensive development of young children. Good nutrition for the mother is very important for preparing and maintaining the breastfeeding process. When using infant formula, mothers should be aware of the financial and social implications of formula feeding, the difficulty of reversing the decision once breastfeeding has stopped, and the need to be careful to avoid reduced milk supply due to partial breastfeeding. When using formula, the baby's health will depend on carefully following the manufacturer's instructions on the label regarding preparation, dilution, use, and storage. Consult a doctor before starting to formula feed your baby. This product is not a medicine and has no effect as a substitute for therapeutic drugs.