Cows milk protein allergy / intolerance

[Mazzatron]

My 8 week old has been started on hypoallergenic formula for suspected cows milk protein allergy. He has silent reflux too which he has omeprazole for.

I'm not convinced about the CMPA/I. His symptoms are being very unsettled and 'colicky', hates being on his back for any length of time, sometimes cries and thrashes about after feeds but not always. Sometimes constipated. Windy. His weight gain is great he weighs 13.5lbs already. He loves to feed.

He's been on the formula for 3 days. He does seem to be a bit more settled but we felt he was starting to improve prior to starting the new formula anyway.

What do people think? I don't want to keep him on special hydrolysed formula if he doesn't need it and when I look up CMPA symptoms they seem more severe then his presentation which could just be bad colic? And silent reflux. The HV is pushing the CMPA and I'm grateful she's trying to help us so much but this has all been over the phone due to covid.

What are his nappies like? You sometimes get a bit of mucus in the poo with CMPA.

His nappies are a bit random but never had mucas or blood. Often green, soft scoop style. Sometimes brown / mustardy colour, seedy. I think those are normal.

Allergy U.K. has helpful info about CMPA on their website.

It's not called "intolerance" any more, that's outdated. It's an allergy and it will be ige or non-Ige, probably the latter based on your description of the symptoms.

It is very possible that it's CMPA and the only way to be sure is to give him a bit longer on the hypoallergenic formula, it will take up to 3 weeks in total. Which formula is it, out of interest?

Symptoms can be mild or severe. Both my DCs had relatively mild symptoms but suffered a lot with the reflux and it was definitely CMPA. No point giving them cow's milk if it gives them reflux. Once the dairy was out of their systems we didn't have to give any medication. So if your DS is doing better in a few weeks you could try weaning off the omeprazole.

Has your HV referred him to a dietitian? If not ask your GP to.

@NameChange30 thank you - I will look up non ige. The GP said very little about it really, just prescribed the formula based on what the HV said. The HV hasn't referred to a dietician. Will ask. The formula is aptimel pepti 1.

He actually has more reflux on it then he did on previous comfort formula, I think because it's thinner? but they are saying it's silent reflux he suffers anyway.

All I know is there was so much crying and screaming and it's so much better now.

Ah that must be a relief.
I found it heartbreaking when mine were suffering with the reflux
If he is already doing better on the hypoallergenic formula it does mean CMPA is a very likely diagnosis.

Hiya.. my son had the same issues as you, he was 3 weeks old and he had blood in his nappies. Before that he poo was seedy like you said, but then changed quickly.

We went to the hospital with him and they changed his milk to alimentum.. since that he’s had no more episodes.

If the the doctors have advised that you change the milk and your baby has adapted to the change then stick with it because you never know what’s going on inside them.

They said my sons blood in his stool was the inside of his stomach/bowels bleeding because he was so allergic to the cows milk protein!

Definetly sounds like CMPA especially if hes doing better and crying less on the hydrolysed formula.
My DS was a bit like yours, didnt sound severe enough to be CMPA but after giving it up then trailing him it was amazing how clear his symptoms were. I was breat feeding so not sure if exactly the same on formula but it takes up to 6 weeks for the gut to heal so it's not unusual for him to still be having symptoms.