Milk Allergies and The Breastfeeding Family, by Jessica Williams
Although breastmilk protects babies against allergies by providing antibodies (or immunoglobins), it isn't perfect protection. Breastfed babies can still have allergies.
How it works:
Antibodies are protective proteins manufactured by the immune system. The most predominant antibody found in breastmilk is called secretory IgA. Secretory IgA prevents microbes and other antigenic materials from reaching the mucosal membranes such as the throat, lungs and intestines - where the majority of infections begin.
Antibodies fight "antigens" - which are any substance that the body’s immune system rejects, such as pollen or dust. A mother’s body produces antibodies that are environment-specific. In other words, if a mother and her nursling are standing in the grocery line with another shopper who has a cold, both mom and baby will probably be exposed. But, the mother’s body will produce antibodies that will help her fight the illness, and those antibodies will be passed to her baby through her breastmilk.
Sounds like the perfect system, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, a mother’s body can’t make antibodies for everything her baby is susceptible to. When a breastfed baby develops a severe allergy, some may wonder why. Researchers don’t know the answer for sure, but some speculate that because a baby’s genetic make-up is not exactly the same as the mother’s, the antibodies passed on won’t be exactly what the baby needs. They offer incredible protection against many antigens, but can’t protect the baby from everything.
The milk allergy:
One of the most common allergies in babies and toddlers is the milk protein allergy. Fortunately, this allergy doesn’t have to be a problem for a nursing child. Like most environment-specific allergies, the antigen can be avoided - eliminating the cause for reaction. With patience and careful attentiveness, breastfeeding can continue without problems - and breastmilk can be the best fluid a child with the allergy can get.
Milk protein allergy is not the same as lactose intolerance, which is not common in young children. Because a baby’s stomach lining is more immature than an adult’s, the incompatibility of cow’s milk protein with the lining of the gut can precipitate an allergic reaction. Breastmilk is the most complete food. Unlike cow’s milk, it is easily broken down by the baby’s stomach and digested rapidly. Human milk is perfect for human babies.
Unfortunately, a mother’s intake of cow’s milk might cause symptoms in baby if the protein is being passed through the breastmilk. In this case, the mother may need to eliminate dairy products from her diet to see if symptoms clear up. This should first be evaluated by an allergist and physician before diet changes are made, to rule out other causes for symptoms in baby.
Here are the most common milk protein symptoms in an infant:
Mucous in stools, nasal stuffiness, skin rashes, eczema, irritability, stomach cramping (colicky symptoms), puffy, red eyes. These symptoms can often be confused with a cold, especially since many babies will also have a runny nose or diaper rash with both milk allergy and a cold. But, if these symptoms appear to come and go frequently and baby seems to be sick when no one else in the family is, you should have baby examined by a pediatrician and allergist. Some mothers find it difficult to eliminate suspect foods and assume it would be easier to wean to formula. Unfortunately, in the case of milk protein allergy, this would not be a good idea. Many formulas are cow’s milk-based. Soy formulas are also not a great idea as many children who are allergic to cow’s milk are also allergic to soy. Also, allergy or not, formula is harder to digest than breastmilk and can irritate an already sensitive stomach lining.
Perhaps most importantly, a mother’s breastmilk can also provide important antibodies against other antigens. Many babies who are allergic to cow’s milk protein also develop other allergies, and breastmilk may protect them from developing many more. Throughout the first year, if a mother follows the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines that recommend breastfeeding for the entire first year of life, breastmilk continues to be a main fluid in the baby’s diet. After the first year, where cow’s milk is usually introduced, an allergist can recommend alternative sources of calcium, vitamin D and fat for your baby. Some babies may have a less severe reaction, allowing them to consume certain dairy products. Luckily, cow’s milk protein allergy will disappear in most children by the age of four or five.
Sadly, many mothers who weaned their babies due to allergy symptoms were told or believe that their child could not tolerate breastmilk because it was causing an allergic reaction. It is so incredibly rare for a human infant to be allergic to human milk - but many seem to believe it is fairly common. Unfortunately, the more plausible answer is that many nursing women are consuming something that is causing an allergic reaction. For this reason, it is always best to speak to a knowledgeable allergist before assuming a baby is allergic to breastmilk.
The expressed opinion and information given in this article is the result of information learned and gathered by the writer through personal experience, advice, and stories from breastfeeding professionals and other nursing mothers. It is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional or instruction from a trained La Leche League Leader or an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
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