Newborn cows milk allergy and Lactofree

[halfbuffy]

Hello!

I've just been told by the health visitor to cut out dairy as I'm breastfeeding and my little boy is showing signs that he might have a cows milk allergy.

I was wondering if the Arla Lactofree range is ok to have? I know it doesn't contain lactose but I'm seeing things online that suggest that lactofree items (not necessarily just the Arla products) still contain the cows milk proteins that can cause the allergies?

Unfortunately lactose free isn't any use for a dairy free diet as you're right, it still contains the cows milk protein which is what the allergy is to, rather than the lactose.

Thank you! Good to get confirmation!

Do you happen to have any recommendations for brands that have a nut or oat milk that's closest to cows milk? I've tried some in the past but wondering if there were any good ones on the market now...

I had to go dairy free when my DD was younger too. I like the alpro oat milk, so much so that I still prefer that in tea and coffee.

Get a referral to a paediatrician and a dietitian. You will need a prescribed formula if he's still a baby.
Be careful of soya too as the proteins are the same size as milk proteins so they can provoke an immune response. You need an antihistamine like loratadine prescribed too, for when milk accidentally gets into his diet. It will stop any pain.

Is he in pain? Windy, colicky, excema, rashes, wheezy, snoring, reflux and generally unhappy?
It's all very well for the HV to tell you to avoid milk but it's really hard to do as it's in most things but under different names.
You need a proper diagnosis and support from a dietitian to make sure he's thriving. The pain from a milk allergy is horrible for an adult, it's awful for a baby.
Go to GP and demand a referral. They don't treat it seriously enough.

Alpro do this which my DP loves as we are a dairy free household and he doesn't like the taste of alternative milks and it's the most similar to cows milk we have found.

https://groceries.asda.com/product/1000349324079?&cmpid=ppcghsgooglegle----dskwid--dm&skwcid=AL!11432!3!!!!x!!&gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw1YCkBhAOEiwA5aN4AW9dHnBFcV2DdWbCmbhShOvWEwJO79-Zkl9n8MdxCESxEIVFReFb7xoCe2IQAvDD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I drink almond milk though (the barista one is best) if you wanted to try something that has its own taste.

Oh and GPs don't know much about milk allergy so they may tell you it doesn't cause constipation only diarrhea. That is wrong, it can cause both. They can be constipated and then have terrible diarrhea.

op is breastfeeding so she doesn’t need prescriptions for formula, maybe in the future but cutting out items that are likely to cause issues for baby is usually enough for now. I tried the lacto free but still had major symptoms so I use oat milk the blue carton, oatley Macy’s and like that I haven’t used it in cereal usually only tea at the moment though. Hopefully cutting out will work for your baby op and symptoms will settle down soon

Thanks for the recommendations! I'll do some trial and error...

I had GD during pregnancy so was very happy to not be on a restricted diet for the last 4 weeks since he was born...although compared to that this should hopefully be more straightforward to manage!

Personally, I found it easier to just avoid all the substitutes, and have naturally dairy free stuff - but then I would only use milk to cook with, so just avoided those meals. And pizza / yoghurt etc was off the menu!
The only thing I tried was a butter replacement and it was vile, so I switched to honey or jam straight on to toast, no spread at all.
So, I'd start with looking at ways to avoid dairy totally, and then put in dairy free (lactose free won't do, as others have already said) for the stuff you can't avoid.