Can babies be allergic to breast milk?
Dec 05, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ma Yan
Introduction
Infants are usually allergic to breast milk. However, the likelihood of an infant being allergic to breast milk is generally low. In addition, if such symptoms occur in an infant after feeding, the mother should pay close attention and determine whether it is an allergic reaction. If tests confirm that the infant has specific allergens, the mother should avoid consuming foods that cause the infant's allergy for at least two weeks prior to breastfeeding.
Generally, the likelihood of infants being allergic to breast milk is relatively low.
If an infant has a severe allergic constitution, they may develop allergic reactions to various proteins. Since breast milk contains abundant proteins, some infants may become allergic to it, leading to a series of allergic symptoms such as eczema, allergic rhinitis, and chronic diarrhea. If a nursing mother consumes foods such as nuts, seafood, or eggs—common allergens—and the infant happens to be allergic to these substances, the allergenic components can pass through her body into the breast milk, causing the infant to experience allergic reactions, including rashes, vomiting, and diarrhea. If the infant's allergy to breast milk is mild and does not affect normal growth and development, breastfeeding can continue. However, if the allergy is severe, it is recommended to promptly switch to extensively hydrolyzed formula or amino acid-based formula.
In addition, if an infant develops such symptoms after feeding, the mother should take this seriously and determine whether it is an allergic reaction. If specific allergens are identified through testing, the mother should avoid consuming those allergenic foods for at least two weeks prior to resuming breastfeeding. After eliminating the allergens, the infant may no longer exhibit allergic symptoms upon returning to breastfeeding.
