CMPA? Lactose Intolerance? Help!

[cjt110]

So following a few days on cows milk (in cereal and to drink too), we had an awful outbreak on son's skin, (photo top left) on 17 July as well as him vomiting (as opposed to possetting) awful smelly and loose nappies and also a runny nose. Following this we eliminated cows milk (as in actual milk) from DS' diet and his skin seemed to clear up (photo top right taken 21 July) as well as the other symptoms too. We introduced a small amount of milk back in DS' diet (approx 3oz in his cereal) and he broke out again both his skin and the above symptoms on 25 July (bottom left photo) and got redder as we gave him a bit more milk (bottom right photo is yesterday).

We have a GP appointment later today but I wondered if anyone thinks this is CMPA or lactose intolerance?

[dementedpixie]

What was he drinking before cows milk e.g. formula or breastmilk?

[dementedpixie]

If you are bf then it's unlikely to be lactose intolerance as breastmilk also contains lactose.

[cjt110]

Formula.

[dementedpixie]

formula is made from cows milk though and contains lactose too. which formula was he having?

[dementedpixie]

Maybe he just can't handle straight cows milk yet. Does he take yogurts/cheese ok?

[cjt110]

He's on C&G stage 2. He's had a small amount of cows milk in his cereal from 6m and yoighurts and cheese and had a minor reaction, perhaps similar to picture 2 (top right) as well as on his ankles, wrists etc.

[Flingingmelon]

Hi OP, good luck today with the GP. I hope you get a satisfactory outcome.

Speaking from personal experience, the difference between lactose and dairy intolerance can be very confusing and frustrating, but when it comes to avoiding it it's pretty much all the same. If you want to keep giving formula your GP may suggest something like Nutramigen, which was a lifesaver for us. Even if they don't check out their Facebook page as they have loads of good support and advice.

We were referred to a dietician who didn't really help much more than the lovely ladies of mumsnet and also a friend who is a food scientist. She explained that practically if it's a dairy intolerance,you are wise to cut out the dairy entirely and then slowly slowly reintroduce small amounts of dairy over a long period. DS is 2 and we are just starting to give him tiny amounts of milk now. If it's a lactose intolerance you will find that the more processed the dairy is, the less effect it has, so you may find your DC can eat hard cheese with no problem. Lactose is definitely a sliding scale and a dietician would be able to help you there.

Anyway good luck again and if you need to rant, we are here

Also, most children do genuinely grow out of it, so a future of no ice cream at birthdays etc (oddly my biggest concern)is not guaranteed.

[cjt110]

Hi Flingingmelon Thank you for your advice. I did wonder why he seems to be ok with yoghurts, formula and cheese but have such a reaction with cows milk.

I had lactose, sucrose and egg intolerance as a baby so luckily know he can/will grow out of it. I just feel so much for him as it cant be nice. Poor lamb

[cjt110]

Oh, and our GP did mention when we first went to see them about his "eczema" that it could be a mik/egg intolerance and when we eliminated egg, it stayed with him. As such, it didnt get worse/better so we just left it but the GP did say he could prescribe some milk if needed at the first appointment so hopefully, we might get somewhere!

[cjt110]

Diagnosed as potentially Cows Milk Protein Allergy/Intolerance. Been prescribed nutramigen lipil 2. He wont drink it though (It does smell like powdered cheese!)

Any suggestions? We have to go milk/lactose free for 3 weeks.

[dementedpixie]

Have you been told to avoid soya at all ? If not, alpro does a soya milk that is suitable from age 1

[cjt110]

Weve been told no wysoy as it has high levels of oestrogen and can make baby boys infertile.

[AboutTimeIChangedMyNameAgain]

The reason to avoid soya with a cmpa is because the proteins are similar and 40% can still be allergic to it. Avoid goats milk for the same reasons.

[cjt110]

He is point blank refusing the new milk, even his normal milk and dummy and getting himself in such a state. I am going to ask the GP can anything else be given instead (luckily only picked up 1 of 3 tins from the chemist) or anything we can buy instead. I cant go through this upset for him all the time. It smells and tastes vile, I'm not surprised he isnt touching it.

[WaxyBean]

Try adding vanilla extract or nesquik (yes it's milk free!) to the nutramigen to get him to take it. That said DS was 9 months when he was prescribed it and never took it - I ended up breastfeeding him far longer than I planned to. Apparently younger children are much more likely to adapt to drinking it.

We started on soya milk (alpro 1+) from 12 months. Our consultant (one of the top in the country) has no concerns about fertility side effects.

[cjt110]

Waxy He's 11.5 months - And a stubborn monster if he doesnt want something. Nesquick as in the chocolate stuff? Currently trying to get hold of the GP to see if they can suggest/prescribe anything else.

[dementedpixie]

You get strawberry flavour too

[cjt110]

Hurrah - the gp has prescribed another kind of milk for us - PEPTI I think she said?

[AboutTimeIChangedMyNameAgain]

My ds wouldn't drink nutramigen either. We ended up with neocate.

Hope your ds drinks the pepti! Is it aptamil pepti? We had that for a while too.

[cjt110]

Im not sure AboutTimeIChangedMyNameAgain I just caught Pepti in the conversation when they called back. I was told that it is the only other milk they can prescribe for us? If we find he wont take this milk I will push for a dietician referral as Ive just been looking at an NHS document with regards to guidance on prescription of milk for cmpa and there is definitely more than 2!

[WaxyBean]

Fab news that you have Pepti - is he drinking it? Our GP wouldn't prescribe milk without the explicit approval of a dietician or consultant - a constant battle! And yes nesquik chocolate milkshake powder is milk free - no idea about strawberry as we never tried that.

Ps the milk really is foul. Our allergy consultant had all his staff tasting the different types of alternative milks at an xmas party (they know how to have fun!) and they were all retching over nutramigen.

If he won't take Pepti then I'd consider moving him onto alpro 1+ now given he's only 2 weeks away from 1. But your call on whether you'd be happy doing that.

[cjt110]

Waxy Yep he is drinking it I did a 2oz C&G 4 oz pepti mix to start with which he drank and then when he woke in the night he had a 6oz pepti bottle and guzzled the lot! Hurrah! Let the milk free 3 weeks commence!

[dementedpixie]

You must be glad he is taking some milk at last

[cjt110]

pixie I am very glad!! Such a relief!

[cjt110]

UPDATE DS has now been milk free for 2 days. And his loose smelly vile 4/5 times daily nappies have become normal 2.3 times a day nappies. He has stopped being snotty and sicky. His "rash" on his tummy has also pretty much gone. So amazed at the difference in a few days. The milk he is on has got lactose in so it must be a cmp issue rather than lactose?