Milk Allergy

[Babybump87]

My just turned 15 month old has recently been diagnosed with Cows Milk Protein Allergy by the GP and dietitian .

Anything with any kind of milk in it runs right through her and we get all the classic allergy symptoms but she was given Cow and Gate Growing Up Milk about 2 ounces and hasn't had any kind of rection.. upto now. (Usually would have happened by now)

Anyone have any experience with this?. Why would she be ok with formula not whole milk or anything else containing milk... scratching my head !
Thanks

(Just to add I don't think shes outgrown it as she had a reaction while out last week )

 

[MindUtopia]

I have no experience with this at all, so this is just a hunch. But my understanding is that cow's milk protein allergy is often an allergy to one of the two main proteins in milk, either whey or casein, or both. I think Growing Up milk is casein based (I know Cow and Gate Follow On milk is casein based so I suspect it's the same, since casein tends to be harder to digest and keeps them fuller for longer, so they don't use it in first milks). If the allergy is specifically to whey rather than to casein, then that could be why normal milk (which would have a higher concentration of whey protein) might cause it but not the Growing Up milk. That's totally just a guess based on a basic understanding of the science of it, but maybe someone with more firsthand experience might have a better idea.

 

[Babybump87]

Wow thanks mindutopia. Im still getting my head around all this and you have basically just explained more than my GP has done over the past few weeks!

I am going to look into this. We are awaiting a hospital appointment for more tests etc so hopefully we will find out more.

We just got told to avoid dairy completely and await hospital letter. She had the milk several hours ago now and still no reaction.

 

[Lil mole]

The other possibility is that as the milk protein is changed slightly when processed into formula it is a lower step on the milk ladder than actual fresh milk.

Not sure if you've come across the milk ladder yet, it's 12 steps designed for reintroducing milk to babies/ toddlers diets. It's starts with well baked milk products where the protein is really broken down so the body is less likely to recognise it and react to it and goes all the way up to fresh milk which is the protein whole and unchanged. It could be that your daughter just has an issue with this last step.

This is the milk ladder https://cowsmilkallergyguidelines.co.uk/download/Njc=

 

[Babybump87]

Thanks alot lil mole.

Ive seen the milk ladder.. thanks for the link!. Really appreciate all your information. GP is pretty useless. I might give the milk ladder a go myself and see if we can reach some common ground or at least establish some things she has a reaction to !.

Thanks alot