Other parents of CMPA babies

[HelloItsmeAgain1]

Cow's Milk Protein Allergy for those unaware.

We don't know if ds has it for sure. He's EBF and just turned 6 months. The symptoms came on at around 4 and a half months old (constantly runny nappies, fussing, reflux and increase in eczma). We left it for a bit as didn't seem too extreme with some days almost fine then happening again. He was generally happy with lots of wet nappies and feeding well. More recently his rashes and reflux increased a bit, so we went to gp and discussed it as a possible cause.

I don't eat much dairy normally so I wonder if that's why it's milder than some cases. One day last week (before we even thought about possibility of cmpa) we had heaps of cheese and the next day he came about in the biggest rash. I know this could be a coincidence as lots of baby get eczma for a range of reasons. Either way, I'm now avoiding dairy to test it.

The main reason for my post is about when he got it. He was fine before 4 months but then he got suspected meningitis and was given heaps of antibiotics through a drip. It was shortly after this the symptoms started.

Anyone else have a cmpa baby and does this sound familiar? Also anyone else think they've had an antibiotic link?

Both my girls have CMPA. I had antibiotics at both their birth and lots of iv antibotics when DD1 was new born and bf. Neither of my girls have eczema but it’s a common symptom. There is a really good CMPA breast feeding Facebook page.

DS2 has it, also BF, similar symptoms to yours, he never had antibiotics but I have heard other parents of CMPA babies make similar connections so there may be something to it.

Really interesting (although obviously awful). How long did it take after giving up dairy to notice changes?

My DD and I both had IV antibiotics after she was born, she has bad reflux and we think she might have CMPA. I’ve given up dairy and noticed improvements after a few weeks though she’s still pretty unsettled! Interesting to see there might be a link with the antibiotics..

There may be a link but you can't go back in time unfortunately If you're trialling an exclusion diet, remember it takes over a month to be totally out of your system (and your breast milk) and soy protein allergy is also common with CMPA (similar structure proteins, I'm told). Gluten can = skin irritation too. I did all the excluding and re-trying while BF but never really found out until weaning ... when the skin rash and wheezing was instant so it was very clear. Hope yours grows out of the allergies, most do, do look into early introduction of peanut though, there is some (newish) evidence it's helpful for kids on an atopic path xx

You'll find anecdotal evidence both ways. My son is extremely sensitive to dairy through breastmilk amongst other allergies. No antibiotics before diagnosis. The thing is as awful as cmpa is if you need antibiotics you need them. Some healthcare professionals will tell you it's likely due to antibiotics, others will tell you they can't react through breastmilk. It's not even always accepted as a diagnosis. There's not enough research to say if antibiotics play a part yet. I agree with the facebook cmpa breastfeeding page. Soya can be a closely related allergy too as they are molecularly similar so it's worth considering this if looking to alternative milks. It's important you're getting enough calcium and vitamin d if you don't consume dairy. The supermarket own brands tend to be good for this.

Oh drat. I've been having soy.

What's the name of the Facebook group? There seem to be loads

The rule of thumb is 6 weeks to get out of your system and then another 6 months to get out of lo’s system. DD1 has CMPA and is fine with soya. DD2 has CMPA and can’t have soya, coconut or sorbitol (in sugar free calpol).

Facebook group = Breast Feeding - CMPA support.

Sorry for yet another message, you also need to get enough iodine. Asda own oat milk and oatly are forfeited with iodine.

Just to add my dd is 10 month old and I have resorted to frigging making my own bread as I haven't found a commercial.loaf with no soya! So when you are weaning check packages (as I'm sure you do anyway)- I was really surprised where soya and whey crop up!

Toastiemaker the iceland tiger loaf is soy free and lovely

Thank you @owlalwaysloveyou !