How to follow a dairy-free diet for cow’s milk allergy?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have an infant who is below six months old, weighs 16.09 Lbs, and height 2'17". He is exclusively breastfeeding. Two weeks before, he had his second dose of the DTaP+polio vaccine and second dose of the rotavirus vaccine. Four days after the vaccination, he had blood in his stools. On the same day, I ate too many cow milk products.

Our pediatrician said that it could be due to the vaccine or an allergy to cow milk. So she told me not to have cow milk products for two weeks. I did not eat for a week, and since there were no symptoms, I was relieved and ate ice cream and cheese. On that day again, my baby had blood in his stools. Now I am on a strict cow milk-free diet.

My question is, how long should I continue this diet? Our pediatrician told me to continue the diet for two weeks, and then we can reevaluate. Another pediatrician whom I consulted told me that it is certain that my baby has an allergy, and hence I should continue this diet for at least six months.

What should I do to know that it is a cow milk allergy for sure? Currently, he is taking Vitamin D drops 400 IU. Can we start iron drops now, or should we wait for a few weeks?

Please suggest.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for your query.

I hope the baby is active and playful. As you have said, this could be cow's milk protein intolerance (CMPI). I suggest you exclude cow milk and other milk products from your diet.

Continue exclusive breastfeeding till six months of age and introduce cow milk-free products as complementary feeds after six months of age. Also, continue breastfeeding till two years of age.

Blood in stools, after you take cow milk products, is an indication of CMPI. You can start iron drops from now and continue till the baby is one year old. Iron drops can make stools somewhat black, and it is completely normal.

I hope this has helped you.

Thank you.