What if this is a Cow Milk Protein Allergy?
Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy Explained
Every parent knows the feeling of worry when their baby is unsettled after feeds. When a baby cries relentlessly, shows signs of discomfort, or has reflux that doesn’t improve, it’s natural to wonder if something beyond typical infant colic or feeding troubles might be at play. Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) or (CMA) is a condition that some infants experience, but its symptoms can easily overlap with more common issues like colic and reflux, leading to potential misdiagnosis or even over-diagnosis in some cases. Understanding it and its possible manifestations can offer clarity and peace of mind.
CMPA is, in fact, the most common food allergy in infants, affecting up to 2-3% of children in their first years of life, with higher prevalence in families with a history of allergies. However, it is a lot less common than colic or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), which are much more frequent sources of distress in infancy. Unlike other intolerances, CMPA involves an immune reaction, either immediate or delayed, to specific proteins found in cow’s milk. Knowing what this means and how it presents is the first step toward managing CMPA.
Are we over-diagnosing CMPA?
When babies show signs of discomfort—like fussiness, reflux, or mild digestive changes many parents worry about allergies. While CMPA is a genuine concern for some babies, new research shows it might be over diagnosed. Guidelines intended to help doctors identify CMPA may unintentionally label normal infant behaviours as signs of an allergy, leading to increased prescriptions of low-allergy formulas and dietary changes that might not be needed. Overdiagnosis often stems from a desire to explain common infant symptoms. Factors like higher rates of low-allergy formula prescriptions within certain practices or maternal use of antibiotics during pregnancy can increase the likelihood of a CMPA diagnosis. This can mean unnecessary dietary restrictions for parents and babies, sometimes missing out on important nutrients or exposing infants to extra sugars in specialty formulas. This is why it is more important than ever to have a clear understanding of this condition, its (sometimes unclear) symptoms, and how to manage it. Read on to find out more!