A Dietitian Reveals: Top Causes of Baby Pain

Support and solutions for baby reflux, colic, ezcema and other Cow's Milk Protein Allergy symptoms

We talk to Nishti, from Nishti's Choice, a registered dietitian with expertise in supporting families with cow's milk protein allergy.

SO WHY IS YOUR BABY IN PAIN?

Let me ask you, does your baby show any of the following signs?

• Reflux/vomiting                                     

• Loose stools/diarrhoea

• Blood/mucus in stools

• Abdominal pain

• Colicky symptoms

• Constipation

• Wheezing

• Atopic eczema

• Perianal redness

• Poor growth

• Pruritus (itching)

• Erythema (redness/inflammation)

If yes, then your baby may be allergic to cow’s milk protein.

WHAT IS COW’S MILK PROTEIN ALLERGY?

Cow’s milk protein allergy is the inability to digest the protein in cow’s milk. Cow’s milk is found in most products we eat and it is the main protein that formula milk for infant and children is made of.

Here are some important facts to consider about cow’s milk protein allergy:

FACT: Cow’s milk protein allergy is the most common allergy in babies and children and can cause a lot of distress for both baby and parent(s).

FACT: Cow’s milk protein allergy can be hard to diagnose – even for doctors. This may be because the signs can be mistaken for other 'conditions' seen in babies such as reflux or vomiting.

FACT: It is not to be confused with Lactose Intolerance which is the inability to digest the carbohydrate lactose (milk sugar) found in all mammals' milk, including human breast milk.

HOW COMMON IS COW’S MILK ALLERGY?

The reported incidence is said to be 1.8 – 7.5% in infants less than one year of age. However, I believe this number is a lot higher than reported. Why? Because babies and children are often put on medication to treat their symptoms and therefore not necessary been given the option of treating their allergy without the use of medication. 

HOW DO YOU best help your baby?

The only way to manage cow’s milk protein allergy in your baby is the complete avoidance of cow’s milk and milkcontaining/dairy containing products. There isn't a cure for cows’ milk protein allergy, however many children will outgrow it before the age of 5. Completely avoiding cow's milk in the diet, or allowing a certain level which your child can tolerate as they grow older is the only way to control the symptoms. Whether you are breastfeeding or formula feeding your baby the solution is the same. No dairy.

On 7th June, The Organic Cookery School are hosting an online class for parents with Nishti.

Nishti will cover:

• What is CPMA?

• The top five symptoms of CMPA

• IgE vs Non IgE

• Solutions for the Breastfed and Formula Fed Infant

• Dairy free weaning

• The Milk Ladder

• The Toddler with dairy intolerance

Join the webinar for £10, and find out all about the above and more.

Bonus downloads for attendees -

• Nishti’s Choice - My Baby’s Assessment  

• Nishti’s choice - My Baby’s Symptom Tracker

• The Milk Ladder Symptom Diary

• CMPA Food Fact Sheet

• Alternative Products for the Dairy Free Diet

Nishti will also offer attendees a special discount on her one to one online dietitian consultation packages to manage cow’s milk protein allergy in babies and toddlers, which include diagnosis, support and treatment via GP prescription or elimination diet if breastfeeding. If you've been waiting months to see a dietitian, this is could be perfect for you.

Can’t attend? Don’t worry everyone will receive a copy of the replay (with access to all downloads and bonus resources for seven days after the webinar)

About Nishti:

Nishti is a Registered Dietitian in the United Kingdom, Denmark and Faroe Islands who specialises in the Nutrition and Health of Children and Parents. Her Mission is to Empower Parents to Choose Better Nutrition for Themselves and their Children by providing Awareness, Knowledge and Compassion.

One of Nishti’s main area’s of expertise is supporting families with cow's milk protein allergy:

Every day I speak with parents who have a baby or a child that suffers with reflux, vomiting, eczema, colic, diarrhoea, constipation (and the list goes on) and they all suffer greatly before they receive appropriate help and advice. The symptoms mentioned are often caused by what is known as cow's milk protein allergy.

Unfortunately, the awareness around cow's milk protein allergy is very poor amongst us health care professionals. That's why it takes so long for a baby to get diagnosed and treated!

This is why I do what I do. I provide immediate help and support online. I diagnose and treat cow's milk protein allergy in both the breastfeed and formula fed infant.

One of my greatest areas of passion is raising awareness around cow's milk protein to GP's, health visitors and also the public as this will allow us to treat this debilitating condition which if left untreated can cause a range of issues for the growing child.

As a dietitian, I am trained to assess, diagnose and treat disease and nutritional problems. It is very rewarding to be able to do this online as most people wait months and months before they get to see an expert paediatric dietitian.

*disclaimer: with correct diagnosis and treatment, your child’s symptoms could be improved in as little as 3 days, although some treatment may several weeks.

This online class is not meant as medical advice, nor is it meant to replace the advice of your doctor or dietitian. The Organic Cookery School and Nishti’s Choice assume no liability for the use of misuse of information given.

This webinar is hosted by The Organic Cookery School, a not for profit organisation which focuses teaching children, parents and teenagers practical cookery and nutrition.

Adapted from 'A Dietitian Reveals: Top Causes of Baby Pain' (Nishti's Choice 2018)