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Cows Milk AllergyPodcasts
Allergy Insights Podcast: Could it be Cow’s Milk Allergy?
Allergy UK’s Clinical Dietetic Advisor, Laura Philips, is joined by acclaimed Paediatric Dietitian Lucy Upton, otherwise known on social media...
It is important that an accurate diagnosis is made as soon as possible after symptoms suggestive of allergy are seen, so that your baby or child’s cow’s milk allergy can be managed appropriately. However, there are many symptoms which are seen in different types of cow’s milk allergy which can make accurate diagnosis difficult. The diagnosis of the type of cow’s milk allergy your infant or child has will determine how it will be managed. This will vary according to whether the allergy is immediate or delayed, how old your baby or child is, and whether they are breast, bottle or mix fed.
Cow’s milk free diet
A cow’s milk free diet means avoiding the proteins in cow’s milk, which are called whey and casein, and also avoiding milks from many other four legged mammals as their milk proteins are so similar. Therefore, goat and sheep milks are not suitable alternatives for children suffering from cow’s milk allergy.
Choice of alternative Cow’s milk substitutes
Breastfeeding:
Breast feeding provides the best source of nutrition for your baby. Breast fed babies can react to milk proteins that are transferred in breast milk from the mother’s diet. If it is suspected that a baby is reacting to cow’s milk protein via breast milk, a mother may be advised to avoid cow’s milk and dairy products in their diet while breastfeeding. This involves a trial of up to six weeks to see if the baby’s symptoms improve. If they do not and the breast-feeding mother had been following a strict cow’s milk free diet, she can then return to her normal diet.
Hypoallergenic formula:
In babies who are solely infant formula fed or are given infant formula in addition to breast milk, the formula will need to be changed to a hypoallergenic (low allergy) infant formula. Extensively hydrolysed infant formulas still contain cow’s milk protein, but the proteins have been broken down into smaller pieces so the immune system is less likely to identify them as harmful. Most infants with cow’s milk allergy will be able to tolerate these. For those who still have symptoms on an extensively hydrolysed formula, an amino acid formula is required. This formula is not based on cow’s milk and the protein is completely broken down.’ The GP, health visitor or dietitian may make recommendations about these formulas which are available on prescription from the GP. This will take into account the baby/child’s age, how severe allergic reactions are, other allergic conditions or a family history of allergy and dietary needs. For more information on suitable milk substitutes for your baby, see the BDA factsheet.
Moving onto a hypoallergenic formula:
It can be difficult to get a baby to accept a different formula and hypoallergenic formulas have a different taste and smell to ordinary infant formula. Most babies under three to four months of age will readily accept the change. For older babies and children who have delayed allergic reactions, it may help to gradually introduce it over a number of days, mixing it with their usual milk until they get used to it or, failing that, adding a drop of vanilla essence/extract (ensuring that this is alcohol free) to the bottle. You may notice during this change that your baby’s poo changes colour (dark green) and they may also poo less often. This is quite normal and is not a cause for concern.
Once a cow’s milk allergy diagnosis has been made, your baby or child will need regular assessment by a dietitian to make sure that they are still on the most suitable formula or alternative milk substitute. If your baby or child appears to be growing out of their milk allergy, and after starting a supervised gradual re-introduction of cow’s milk, they can tolerate some foods containing cow’s milk, a dietitian can advise on when and how to stop the formula.
Can I use soya formula instead of a hypoallergenic formula?
Soya infant formula is not recommended to be given to babies under six months of age, due to the phytoestrogen content. In babies over six months of age, it is best not to use soya formula, soya milk or soya products until you have discussed this with your dietitian. It is common in those with delayed cow’s milk allergy to also react to soya. This is less likely to happen in babies who have immediate-type reactions.
Can I use lactose free formula?
Lactose free formula contains all the cow’s milk proteins found in normal infant formula and is therefore not suitable for babies with immediate or delayed cow’s milk allergy. For further information on a lactose free diet please see our factsheet on Lactose Intolerance.
Milk substitutes for older children and for use in cooking:
- The hypoallergenic formula should be given as the main drink until your child is 18 months to two years of age, depending upon their intake of food, as guided by a dietitian.
- Alternative milks can be used in cooking and on cereal in babies from six months of age such as those based on plants such as oat, coconut, hemp, quinoa and pea, providing your baby/child has not previously reacted to these foods
- Soya milk may be an option, but please discuss this with your dietitian first. There is a junior soya milk that may be suitable as a main drink from one year of age
- Nut based milks such as almond and hazelnut should only be used as a substitute where nut allergy does not exist and after advice from your dietitian
- Rice milk should be restricted due to its naturally occurring arsenic content and is not suitable as a main milk drink for children under four and a half years of age.
- How much milk substitute should I give?
Under One year of age
Most babies need to take 600ml (20floz/1 pint) of hypoallergenic formula each day to meet their nutritional requirements, including a recommended calcium intake of 525mg daily. If breastfeeding, assume that one good breast feed is equivalent to a bottle of formula. If your baby consumes less than this, you should inform your dietitian.
One to three years of age
Calcium requirements are lower in this age group (350mg calcium) and generally 300ml (10floz/ ½pint) of milk substitute is enough. However, your child may need more than this if they are not getting enough vitamins and minerals from the foods that they eat. Your dietitian will be able to assess this for you.
Four to ten years of age
Calcium requirements gradually increase back to around 500mg daily, which requires an intake of the equivalent of 600ml (20floz/1 pint) fortified milk substitute a day.
Vitamin and mineral supplements
Calcium
Whilst many of the alternative milks are fortified with calcium, the alternative milk products such as yoghurts and cheese are often not. For more information on calcium, see the BDA calcium fact sheet: https://www.bda.uk.com/foodfacts/Calcium. pdf. If you are concerned that your child is not getting enough calcium in their diet, they may need a calcium supplement. Discuss this with your dietitian or GP.
Vitamin D
Revised recommendations state that:
- Babies under one year of age receive a safe intake of 8.5mcg vitamin D
- Everyone over one year of age gets 10mcg vitamin D, including pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
- Formula fed babies are likely to obtain an acceptable intake if consuming 600ml infant formula daily. If consuming less than this, a vitamin D containing supplement should be given.
- All breast-fed babies should be in receipt of a vitamin D containing supplement.
Breastfeeding mums following a cow’s milk free diet should continue to take their vitamin D supplement (10mcg/day). A calcium supplement may also be needed unless mum is drinking around 1 litre (1000ml) of a calcium rich milk substitute daily. Your Dietitian can help with this.
If you receive income support, you can obtain Healthy Start vitamin drops from your local baby clinic or health visitor. Otherwise, you can buy children’s vitamins containing vitamin D from a pharmacy (ask your pharmacist for advice if you are unsure which supplement to buy), or your GP may prescribe a vitamin supplement. Try to find a supplement that provides around 7-8.5mcg vitamin D and no more than 400mcg vitamin A. Children over six months of age should produce some vitamin D from exposure to sunlight between the months of April to October, avoiding strong sunlight between the hours of 11am-3pm.
Iodine
Milk and dairy products are the main sources of iodine, and very few milk substitutes are fortified with this. Try to include fish and eggs regularly in the diet as these are rich sources. See the BDA iodine fact sheet for more information: https://www.bda. uk.com/foodfacts/Iodine.pdf
Weaning
Weaning a baby who has a cow’s milk allergy should be the same as weaning a non-allergic baby, except that you must not give any foods that contain cow’s milk or dairy products. You will need to read the labels to make sure they do not contain milk.
You should aim to start giving solid foods at around six months but not before four months (17 weeks). If your baby was premature, check with your dietitian about the best time to wean.
Start weaning with low allergenic foods, as described in our fact sheet on weaning your baby onto solidshttps://www.allergyuk.org/advice-for-parentswith-a-new-baby/weaning-your-baby-on-tosolids. As your baby grows, you should keep offering different textures and flavours to help your baby to learn to like a wide variety of foods.
Checking food labels
You need to carefully check the ingredients list on food items and avoid foods which contain any of the following:
- Cow’s milk (fresh, UHT)
- Casein (curds), caseinates
- Evaporated milk
- Calcium or sodium caseinate
- Condensed milk
- Hydrolysed casein
- Buttermilk
- Whey, whey solids, whey powder, whey protein, whey syrup sweetener, hydrolysed whey protein
- Butter, butter oil
- Ghee
- Cheese
- Milk powder, skimmed milk powder, milk sugar, milk protein, non-fat milk solids, modified milk
- Yogurt
- Fromage Frais
- Margarine
- Ice cream
- Cream/ artificial cream
- Lactoglobulin
- Lactoalbumin
Any of 14 food allergens including milk should be easily identifiable on the food label, either listed in bold or italics, highlighted or underlined.
FSA Leaflet: http://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/ files/multimedia/pdfs/publication/allergy-leaflet.pdf
Example of a food label:
Olive spread:
INGREDIENTS: Water, Vegetable Oils (37%) [Rapeseed Oil, Palm Oil], Olive Oil (22%), Whey Powder (from Milk), Salt (1.1%), Emulsifier (Monoand Diglycerides of Fatty Acids), Stabiliser (Sodium Alginate), Preservative (Potassium Sorbate), Colour (Carotenes), Flavouring, Vitamin A, Vitamin D. Allergy Advice!
For allergens, see ingredients in bold
May contain & Made in a factory labelling statements
Currently there is no law to say when these statements should be used on a food product. There is large variation between products, but generally, snacks and dry foods such as cereals, cereal bars, biscuits and nuts are at more risk of crosscontamination with allergens at source and during manufacturing than other foods.
It is very hard to decide what the risk of an allergic reaction would be for every product, but your child is more likely to tolerate low levels of contamination if they have delayed, non-IgE mediated allergy, unless they are extremely sensitive. As this type of labelling is used on many foods, it is important to discuss this with your Dietitian and get advice on the safest approach to these foods for your child.
Allergy Alerts
Sometimes foods have to be withdrawn or recalled. There may be a risk to consumers because the allergy labelling is missing, wrong or there is any other food allergy risk. You can get these alerts from the Food Standards Agency website. It is also possible to subscribe to a free email or SMS text message alert system to receive messages when Allergy Alerts are issued. To subscribe go to: www.food.gov.uk/safereating/allergyintol/alerts. Allergy UK also list allergy alerts and you can subscribe to their free email alert system https://www.allergyuk.org/our-services/allergy-alerts/
Cross contamination
Cross contamination can occur whilst preparing foods. If you need to avoid traces of cow’s milk, ensure that all work surfaces and chopping boards are well cleaned using hot, soapy water. Use separate containers for jams, butter etc. and use clean utensils for serving them.
Foods containing cow’s milk check list
On the following few pages are tables which give examples of cow’s milk free foods, foods which may contain cow’s milk and foods to avoid. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and you must always check labels as ingredients may change without warning.
| Suitable foods | Foods that may contain milk | Foods to avoid |
| Milk and Dairy Products: Hypoallergenic infant formula Oat milk, soya milk, pea milk, coconut milk, quinoa milk, hemp milk, nut milks Rice milk if over 4½ yrs age | All stages of standard infant formulas and comfort milks, low lactose formula, anti-reflux formula, goats infant formula ‘NannyTM’ All types of cow’s milk, lactose free milk e.g. LactofreeTM, goats and sheep’s milk including skimmed, semi-skimmed and full fat | |
| Soya cream, oat cream, coconut cream Soya cheese, coconut oil based cheese (hard, soft, melting, parmesan type) Soya yogurts Soya, rice, coconut & pea based desserts Soya, coconut, rice or nut ice cream | Rice milk under 4½ years of age Dried milk, evaporated milk, condensed milk, buttermilk, flavoured milk, coffee complement, other whiteners, cream, artificial cream All types of cheese, quark, paneer, yogurt/yogurt drinks, lactose free cheeses and yogurts e.g. LactofreeTM, ice cream | |
| Fats and Oils Pure fats and oils, lard, suet dripping, Dairy free margarines e.g.PureTM, VitaliteTM, TomorTM, Supermarket own brand of dairy free margarine Kosher and vegan spreads | Soya margarine | Butter, shortening, margarine, low fat spread, low cholesterol margarine, ghee |
| Cereals Flour, cornflour, oatmeal and barley, oats, rice Dried pasta, cous-cous Homemade pizza using suitable ingredients Some biscuits/crackers Breakfast cereals – many are milk free e.g. ShreddiesTM, WeetabixTM, CheeriosTM, CornflakesTM, Rice KrispiesTM | Bread – wholemeal, brown and white (most are milk free) Chapatti and naan breads Crackers and crispbreads Cakes and biscuits Filo pastry, puff pastry Fresh pasta, tinned pasta in sauces, pot noodles Savoury rice | Milk breads, some reduced starch breads, fruit loaves, soda bread, brioche, croissants, short-crust pastry. Cheese topped rolls and scones, cheese straws, cheese flavoured biscuits Filled pasta e.g. lasagne Pizza Muesli, breakfast cereals containing chocolate |
| Meat, Fish and Alternatives All meats fresh and frozen, poultry, offal, bacon and ham All fish fresh and frozen, shellfish Eggs Pulses: lentils, beans, hummus Soya mince Tofu | Meat products including sausages, beef burgers, pate, meat paste Breaded meat products e.g. chicken nuggets Fish in sauces, in breadcrumbs, fish fingers, tinned fish pastes and pates Ready-made meals Baked beans and food from fast food restaurants and takeaways Dry roasted or flavoured nuts, peanut butter Quorn based products | Quiche, sausage rolls, meat pies Cheesy savoury pastries e.g. cheese and onion pasty, rolls Scotch eggs, scrambled egg, quiche, omelette Fish in batter |
| Vegetables All types of fresh, frozen, tinned and dried | Instant potato, potato croquettes, oven chips, potato crisps and other savoury snacks Vegetables in sauces, coleslaw Baked beans | Vegetable pies Vegetables cooked with butter, white sauce or cheese |
| Fruit All types of fresh, frozen, tinned and dried Fruit juice | Fruit puddings, fruit pie fillings | Chocolate and yogurt coated fruit Fruit pies, fruit in batter |
| Puddings Rice, sago, tapioca and semolina made with milk substitute Soya, coconut & rice desserts Homemade milk free puddings, e.g. sponge, crumble Birds Original Custard Powder™ (in the tin), Jelly | Custard powder Cocoa powder Iced buns Doughnuts | Milk based instant desserts, e.g. Angel DelightTM, blancmange powders, instant whips Egg custard, milky puddings and custards, chocolate puddings, chocolate sauces Sponge cakes, crumbles and cheese cakes Profiteroles and other cream-filled cakes |
| Confectionery Soft jellies and gums Dairy free soya/ rice/ carob based chocolates (but beware of milk traces – check labels) | Plain chocolate (most are milk free, but some may contain traces) Juice based ice lollies | Toffee, fudge and butterscotch Ice Cream or milk lollies Milk and white chocolate |
| Drinks Fruit juice, squash cordials Fizzy drinks (not suitable for young children) Tea, coffee, cocoa (not suitable for young children) | Vending machine drinks Milkshake powders/ syrups | Instant white tea, Cappuccino, HorlicksTM, OvaltineTM, instant hot chocolate, drinking chocolate Milkshakes |
| Miscellaneous Jam, honey, marmalade, syrup, and treacle, sugar Beef and yeast extracts e.g. BovrilTM, MarmiteTM Salt, pepper, herbs and spices, tomato puree Sauces made with milk substitute Food colourings, oil based salad dressings | Salad cream and mayonnaise Gravy powders, stock cubes Tomato ketchup Guacamole Tinned soups | Lemon curd, lemon cheese Chocolate spread Sauces made with milk Seafood sauce, Horseradish sauce Some artificial sweetener powders “Cream of” soups |
Important
This information is designed to help you get started on providing a cow’s milk free diet for your baby or child. It is essential that you ask your GP or health visitor for a referral to a dietitian, once a diagnosis of food allergy has been made, for the following important reasons:
- To ensure that your baby or child is getting the right amount of nutrients to avoid any nutritional deficiencies
- To ensure that they remain on the right milk substitute for their age
- To support you during the weaning process to avoid the eating behavioural issues/ food refusal, which are more common in children with food allergies
- To help you adapt family meals so your child can join in and share what everyone else is eating
- To optimise nutrition to promote good growth, development and weight gain
- So that your dietitian can provide you with further information and recipes tailored to your baby or child’s needs
- For advice on future, staged re-introduction to try and avoid unnecessary long-term avoidance of foods.