Cmpa/dairy intolerance and constipation

[Nat198]

My DS is 2 years old and has had constipation for a year and a half. We've just moved so waiting for the doctors to get his medical notes to refer us to a paediatrician near us, but wanted to see what other people have experienced. He's been tested for coeliac which was negative but I've always been suspicious of an intolerance to dairy. He had reflux when he was younger, which he grew out of. However the battle with constipation has going on for ages, and despite prune pouches / movicol daily, he would still have smeary nappies, small poos and be really bloated.

I decided to try him on soya milk for his morning and evening milk and he did 3 poos in 1 day! The poo is softer than were used to, but maybe it's what normal poo is like! He's still bloated however, so I'm worried the soya milk isn't solving the issue.

has anyone elses kids had experience of constipation with cmpa/dairy intolerance? Is it a good idea to give soya and no dairy?! I'm still giving him whole milk in cereal and yoghurts etc as I don't know what is best to do!

It does sound as though it could be CMPA. I have it and would be equally uncomfortable if I was having Cow's Milk daily.

The only way to truly tell if it is though us to cut it out completely, for at least 2 weeks, to see if his symptoms (and probably his demeanour) improve.

I would swap the soya for a different alternative though as around half if all people with CMPA also react to the Soya protein. I do but to a lesser extent than the milk protein.

It might be worth speaking to the Allergy UK Helpline before cutting out dairy and this on calcium from the BDA might be useful too.

A few people forget to replace the fat and protein that milk provides. Boys can have oily fish up to 3 times a week so that's one good way to try and replace it. Things like salmon fish cakes made with tinned salmon containing bones will also be high in calcium.

Let us know how you both get on

Just looking for help as my 2 year old has been on laxatives for 6 months and nothing is improving. Has cutting out dairy helped you ??

Hiya @Freya2024 im about to start my 14 month old on oat milk and dairy free as she’s had chronic constipation and was query cmpa when she was new born but very poor help of the gp! Has it improved for your lo ? Thanks x