Skip to main content

Could the Baby Have a Milk Allergy

There are babies who actually continue to fuss after feeding. Mothers who are confused looking for the cause, could have thought that the baby is allergic to breast milk. Is it true that this can happen? You do not need to worry too much that the mother's milk will cause an allergic reaction in your child. Generally breast milk will not cause allergies in infants. In fact, very few babies experience an allergic reaction when consuming breast milk.

Allergies Caused by Consumption of Certain Foods or Drinks

Actually what happens is the baby experiences an allergic reaction due to food or drinks consumed by his mother. Infants who experience this kind of allergy are classified as very few. Only 2-3 of 100 babies given exclusive breastfeeding actually experience allergic symptoms, such as skin rashes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, to shortness of breath, which can last for several hours after breastfeeding. For example, if the mother eats spicy or gassy foods, such as cabbage, the baby cries or becomes restless after breastfeeding. This could be because the baby is sensitive to the food the mother consumes, which then affects breast milk. Generally, you may consume any food while breastfeeding. However, if you see your child reacting differently after you eat certain foods, you should avoid eating them next time.

Some Types of Foods and Beverages that Need to be Observed

Although each baby's reaction to the food consumed by his mother is different, certain foods or drinks can indeed give different tastes and effects to your mother's milk. Some types of foods that should be examined because it might trigger allergies in infants, including broccoli, chocolate, onions, chili, and dairy products. In addition, babies may experience allergies after drinking milk if the mother consumes:
  • Caffeinated drinks.

  • About 1% of the caffeine consumed by nursing mothers can be absorbed into breast milk. This is the underlying reason why consumption of more than two cups of coffee a day in nursing mothers, can affect the baby's hours of sleep.
  • Cow's milk

  • Cow milk allergy is experienced by around 2-6% of babies. If your baby is one of them, try to stop consuming cow's milk for about 2-4 weeks while continuing to breastfeed. You can go back to consuming cow's milk after your Little One's symptoms subside. However, see a doctor if these symptoms get worse when Mother consumes cow's milk again.
  • Alcoholic drinks

  • Drinks containing alcohol can be absorbed into breast milk and affect the baby's health. It takes several hours for the consumed alcohol to disappear from the bloodstream and breast milk.
If your child always looks uncomfortable after you consume certain foods, record what foods you consume and make your child react negatively after feeding. This can help you plan your diet. If complaints continue or get worse, do not hesitate to see a doctor. Do not let Mother in a hurry to conclude the baby is allergic to breast milk, to stop breastfeeding. You can consult a doctor to stop or change certain foods or drinks, so that your mother's milk will no longer cause health problems for your child.

Comments