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How does a cows' milk allergy affect babies under the age of one? 

Most baby formula contains cows' milk which is one of the most common childhood food allergies.

Cows' milk allergy (CMA) is estimated to affect between 2% and 7.5% of babies under one, though most children grow out of it by the age of five.

CMA typically develops when cows' milk is first introduced into your baby's diet either in formula or when your baby starts eating solids.

More rarely, it can affect babies who are exclusively breastfed because of cows' milk from the mother's diet passing to the baby through breast milk.

The allergy can cause several symptoms, including: 

  • Skin reactions – A red itchy rash or swelling of the lips, face and around the eyes
  • Digestive problems – such as stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation 
  • Hayfever-like symptoms – such as a runny or blocked nose eczema that doesn't improve with treatment  

Source: The NHS

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