Milk Allergies in babies
Nov 21st, 2006 by Lilian
This is another related news from my previous post. Parents may want to keep abreast with the signs and symptoms and observe their babies, especially newborns well. Sometimes, our doctors may not be able to pick up a problem on just one visit. So, it always depend on us parents to observe all the little discomforts our babies get and also note the timing etc.
Cow’s milk allergy in babies is being missed by doctors, a survey suggests.
Nearly 80% of 500 doctors polled by the medical taskforce Act Against Allergy thought their colleagues confused milk allergy symptoms with other conditions.
Experts say the problem lies in the symptoms being both vague and common – including skin rashes and diarrhoea.
The poll also found many of the doctors did not know the best treatment. Without treatment food allergies can be distressing and even deadly.
Did you notice the sentence? EVEN DEADLY? Scary right? But this is true, a child with a severe case of allergies can have difficulties in breathing when their lungs get inflamed. But if you think it is safe to alternate cow’s milk with plant based formula like soy…read further:
The Department of Health and the British Dietetics Association advise against this because soy contains high levels of compounds called phytoestrogens that mimic the action of the female hormone oestrogen and which could pose a risk to the long-term fertility of infants.
There is also a risk that babies who are allergic to cow’s milk will also be allergic to soy milk, and sheep and goat’s milk.
Remember, if you are breastfeeding your child, avoid taking too much dairy products too because it may cause pass through your breastmilk. However, breastmilk is still the very best. And safest.
Left untreated, infants with food allergies can fail to thriveand grow, have developmental problems and can develop severe shock and even die.
The World Health Organization recommends that babies are breastfed for the first two years of their lives if possible.