Many mothers are told their babies are allergic to their breastmilk . However, breastmilk is not dairy and it is not possible to be allergic to mother’s breastmilk.
If your baby is sensitive to dairy products it is highly unlikely that the problem is lactose intolerance, although many people may tell you so. The lactose in cow’s milk does not pass through into mother’s breastmilk. True lactose intolerance in babies is apparent at birth and it is a very rare condition.
Breastfed babies who are sensitive to dairy in mother’s diet are sensitive to specific cow’s milk antibodies, in the form of proteins (not lactose), which pass into the mother’s milk. Cow’s milk (either in the mother’s diet or engineered into formula) is a common source of food sensitivity in babies. Cow’s milk sensitivity or allergy can cause colic-like symptoms, eczema, wheezing, vomiting, diarrhoea (including bloody diarrhoea), constipation, hives, and/or a stuffy, itchy nose.
If your baby is sensitive to dairy in your diet, it will not help to switch to lactose-free dairy products. The problem is the cow’s milk proteins, not the lactose. Cooking dairy products may reduce but will not eliminate the allergens.
A significant percentage of babies with cow’s milk protein allergy will also react to soy. Most dairy-allergic babies will also react to goat’s milk or sheep’s milk. Some will also react to beef.
If you think that your baby may be sensitive to dairy products in your diet, remember that it can take 10 days to 3 weeks to eliminate cow’s milk protein from your system—allow a full 2-3 weeks of dairy elimination before evaluating the results.
If your baby is only a little sensitive to dairy proteins, you may be able to relieve baby’s symptoms by eliminating only the obvious sources of dairy (milk, cream, yogurt, butter, cheese, sour cream, ice cream, cottage cheese, etc.); you may even be able to eat small amounts of dairy without it affecting baby.
If your baby is highly allergic, it will be necessary to eliminate all sources of dairy proteins, which requires a careful reading of food labels. Many foods contain dairy – please double check ingredients in biscuits, cereals, chewing gum, chocolate, flavourings, hot dogs, pre-made soups and sauces, nougat and even some medications.
Going dairy free doesn’t mean the end of special treats and a complete change of everyday menus. There are many amazing dairy substitutes. Coconut milk is super creamy, and there are many other options for milk such as almond, rice, oat, and cashew nut. Many shops now cater for dairy free diet and stock coconut milk ice creams, yoghurts, and even dairy free chocolates which are made from coconut oil and cacao butter.
Whole milk and dairy do contain Calcium, however Calcium in plant sources is more bio-available.
It is also possible that the baby has Secondary Lactose Intolerance – and this is usually due to Zinc deficiency and gut flora dysbiosis in both the mother and her baby. This type of intolerance can only be outgrown by gut healing and supplementation of Zinc and any other contributing deficiencies.
with love
Magda
