

When Breastfeeding Allergies Are an Emergency Swelling (especially of the lips, tongue, or throat) Itchy red rash inside knees, elbows, and neck (eczema) Lots of crying and grunting (signs of abdominal pain) Here are the most common symptoms of milk allergies in infants. But with infants, the allergy battleground is in the intestines, so their symptoms are often vastly different. For older kids and adults, allergies are an overreaction of the immune system as it tries to protect us from foreign proteins. But unlike allergic reactions in big kids and adults (runny nose or sneezing), allergic reactions in infants surface differently.

It’s always possible that Baby is allergic-or sensitive-to foods like soy, citrus, eggs, nuts, or caffeine, but cow’s milk in Mom’s diet is most often the allergy culprit. That’s why it’s important to know the signs of an allergic reaction. Though on the rare side, food allergies and sensitivities in infants are issues to be taken seriously. Reports show that only two or three out of every 100 exclusively breastfed babies demonstrate an allergic reaction. But the truth is, this phenomenon is not very common. For instance, the AAP reports that sensitivity to a food in Mom’s diet can lead to eczema and colic. Those sensitivities can sometimes create major hassles. Food Allergies and Breastfeedingīabies can sometimes have sensitivities to the microscopic food particles that sneak into your breastmilk within 30 minutes of eating (and linger for hours). Translation: While babies aren’t allergic to breastmilk, they can be allergic to the tiny bits of food particles that sneak into your milk by way of your diet. They also found that those same babies can be allergic to proteins that pass through the mom’s intestines into her bloodstream and then into her milk. How do we know infants don’t get breastmilk allergies? Way back in the 1980s, Swedish scientists proved that even colicky babies are totally fine with their mom’s milk. On the other hand, recent research has shown that breastfeeding influences Baby’s immune system development, helping to prevent future food allergies. That’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that breastmilk typically doesn’t cause allergic reactions in nursing infants. The natural proteins in breastmilk are so mild that they just do not provoke allergies in babies. Despite what you may have heard, it’s nearly impossible to be allergic to breastmilk! Read on to find out what’s really going on. But here’s the thing, your newborn baby may be super fussy because of breastfeeding…but it’s not because they’re allergic to breastmilk. If your new baby seems extra fussy, gassy, barfy, snorty, or rashy you may wonder, “Can babies be allergic to breastmilk?” You are not the only one asking that question! When a breastfed baby isn’t feeling their best, parents often jump to the conclusion that the problem must be connected to nursing. The Truth About Food Allergies and Colic.When Breastfeeding Allergies Are an Emergency.
