Formula for Dairy Intolerance

[TokenGinger]

Hello, I was wondering if anybody could help me. At DS's 9 month review, the HV suggest DS could have a dairy allergy or be intolerant. He has a lot of the symptoms. She told me to speak to the doctor and get referred to a dietician and that he should prescribe some milk. When I spoke to the doctor, he was less than helpful and said if he was intolerant, I'd have known at two weeks old, not now. He said if I wanted to try dairy free, I could go and buy it, which I am more than happy to do. I am not trying to angle for getting free prescription milk, we buy it anyway so makes no difference to us. To add, there are several symptoms DS has had since birth that we've been forwards and backwards to the doctors with, so it's possible that an intolerance should have been picked up at two weeks like he suggests, but it wasn't.

What I'm confused with is which milks are suitable for those with a dairy intolerance. I've looked at the Aptamil and SMA lactose free but on the allergens, it still says contains milk. I'm not sure if the milk is does contain is broken down in a different way and is therefore suitable.

Can anybody guide me on what they've done? Thank you :)

Lactose is the sugar in milk. To be dairy free you'd need a milk without cows milk protein. Soya formula isnt first choice for dairy free babies so a dairy free formula should really be prescribed if that's what they think it is.

What are the symptoms?

Lactose free milk will help with an intolerance but not a milk protein allergy.
Both an allergy or an intolerance can be mild (as well as severe).
He probably doesn't have both and is more likely to be cmpa than intolerance. Try the lactose free for maybe one feed a day for a while to see if there's any change, please don't go full time with it right away as it could be detrimental if he's not intolerant. I think cmpa milk has to be prescribed.

It would only help with lactose intolerance not dairy intolerance or allergy

Lactose free wouldn't be detrimental, it just wont help if its cmpa

Thank you for the responses. That's really helpful.

His symptoms are:

Constant diarrhoea - his poos are always loose, the consistency of a curry sauce or a bit more watery

Dry skin - not quite eczema, IMO. He's been prescribed Dermol for this.

Constant wheezing, chesty, snotty - it's like he's always got a cold is the easiest way to describe it. It sounds like he needs a good cough to clear catarrh in his throat and off his chest. He also struggles to breathe through his nose.

He wakes up every 30-60mins. The HV said this could be due to stomach ache from the milk.

Frequently sick after a bottle.

Shortness of breath at times.

His poo smells of vinegar and always has. The HV said that could also be a sign.

Maybe see a different GP. Dairy free milk is expensive in tiny tins

I'm going to call up tomorrow to try to get an appointment with a different doctor, he was so unhelpful. He's had five watery poos today as his poor bum is so sore. It's not fair for him.

See a different GP. That sounds like CMPA symptoms.

The issue is the milk is expensive (think x3 or x4 the cost of regular) so it costs the NHS a lot. It is also pretty much impossible to buy without a prescription in the UK. It is legal to buy it, but pharmacists are v v reluctant to sell it. I've been in the situation a few times where our prescription was delayed/wrong and had to plead with the pharmacist to let me buy a tin.

If no luck with drs, you could try to really reduce the milk intake and try to push ahead with weaning (and wean on to dairy free foods). There is a REALLy helpful Facebook group, if you search "CMPA main group" it will come up. There are lots of lovely parents on there that will give you sound advice xx

Thank you for the group recommendation. They've added me now :)

I've been to the GP this morning and seen a different doctor who has prescribed him some milk to try for a fortnight to see if his symptoms reduce.

Looking for help pls. My daughter is almost 5 months. Since born (induced 3 weeks early) She was on Hipp Organic milk (semi skimmed milk) (contained palm oil) but always has suffered badly with wind, some silent reflux and seemed to get belly ache after short while through bottle and constant hiccups, came across homeopathic black gripe water (colic calm) that was like magic, very expensive but worth it! Was also given baby gaviscon by GP to help, her nappies were like yellow paste not diarrhoea, sometimes slightly green with a little mucus at times. She was very slow putting weight on so I mentioned to hv and doctors regularly but all quite unhelpful, so took it upon myself 2 weeks ago to change her milk to Kendamill Organic (whole milk) (no palm oil) she absolutely loved the milk as full fat milk and the wind and reflux dissapeared.... but sadly her nappies thrn turned to diarrhoea and that was literally the only problem, although I know its not good, the diarrhoea carried on. Nappies on odd occasion full but generally small amounts of yellow/green sometimes with white bits in it and mucus often but happy in herself and drank lots. So I just went back to doctors last week and tried to explain everything. He has said to try a prescription milk called nutramigen LGG 1 to see if allergy. She's been on this one last few days, smells awful, bit like aftermath of fake tan smell. She's cut down amount she drinks which shes never done always loved her milk and suddenly she seems to struggle with belly again and a little reflux which hasnt had for a long time, however her nappies have gone to paste, like clay again, except a few nappies still with a little diarreah so that part has improved a bit at least, she doesnt seem to enjoy it at all and I feel back to square one with bad belly. So thinking now maybe doesnt have cow milk allegy or lactose as seems to be affecting her same way the Hipp Organic was. Could she be ok on semi skimmed milk maybe but possibly there was another ingriedient in the Hipp Organic thats not agreeing with her? I'm aware its not good to keep changing milk , so wondered if anyone else had similar issues? I find doctors and hv arent that helpful really, in my case anyway. Any help or suggestions appreciated. Shes normally a really content happy baby that sleeps well and never had projectile vomiting or rashes etc. She was born making a little moaning/wheezing noise and it contunued on but she was checked when born and they wasnt over concerned, it has improved a lot compared to before as used to sound like struggling to breathe, the dr last said it could be the flap or something that should improve in time, not sure if this could have any connection to any feeding issues also? Im worried that her insides arent able to process (milk) properly