Possible Milk Allergy???

Updated on July 26, 2007
A. asks from Denton, TX
9 answers

My 13 month old son was switched to whole milk about 6 weeks ago, and I am noticing that he has had very loose stools since then. We also traveled for 3 weeks, and so I thought maybe that was also part of the problem. They seem to be getting more loose though, and the other night he had gone just a little in his diaper ( I did not know either cuz I couldnt smell him and I had just changed him 20 minutes before) Well after a little while of him screaming about what I thought was his dad leaving I decided to try to give him a bath..that is when I discovered the problem and a VERY!!! sore bottom. We are still trying to cure that after 3 days of treatment! Anyway, it seems like something is bothering him, but he was on milk based formula, so could the milk be thr problem, or something else I am not thinking of?? He has been working on his back 8 back teeth for a while, and finally they are starting to break the surface..could that be the problem?? My girls were always consitpated, so this is new territory for me!! Any thoughts would be welcome. Sorry for so much information, and thanks for all of the advice! ~A.~

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M.F.

answers from Dallas on

Sounds more like lactose intolerance than a milk allergy. It might not have been much of a problem with formula because it's processed. You might try lactose-free milk and see what happens. It takes about 3 or 4 days to see a difference.

If it doesn't get better, I'd put him back on formula, or possibly the "step 2" formula. Maybe his tummy and digestive system need a more gradual switch.
My son couldn't have milk, so we kept him on soy-based formula until he was 2 because soy milk doesn't have any fat in it.

By the way, we're loving the little tykes climbing/slide thing!

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C.

answers from Dallas on

There is a simple blood test (RAST) that can be done to check for allergies. I would recommend pursuing this. It would be best to know for sure.

My son has multiple food allergies (soy, peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat). If I had known at the beginning what I know now, I would have investigated food allergies much sooner.

Good luck to you!

If food allergies are the root of the problem, then check out www.fastoftexas.org It is a support group for families dealing with food allergies. Registering is free.

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L.N.

answers from Dallas on

I had my daughter tested for allergies and nothing came up. But when we took he off milk, yogart, dairy, etc. It stopped. With child number three I am able to buy 'Lactaid'. But I went straight from breast milk to Lactaid.
I was on milk based formular as child and eventually grew out of it. Hopfully she will too!

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T.C.

answers from Dallas on

I'd consult your doctor. See if it is something the nurses phone line can help you with (or however your pedi works). They would have a better idea I bet. Does he have a fever with the loose bm? If so then the fact that this last diaper was not much at all may be a sign of dehydration and he's had diarrhea. Does he have tears when he cries? Are his diapers wet as well (hard to tell when they are poopy but...) I think you may want to watch for him to be dehydrated. As for the cause, could be any number of things and yes, milk allergy could be one of them. Take him off milk for a couple of days and see if his disposition changes, and hopefully bm improves... He'll be okay for 2-3 days without milk just so you can see. Or go back to the formula for those few days. Mix it in his food so he doesn't lose the milk that his body needs.

Teething is capable of amazing things as well. Especially if its really 8 coming in all at once... I know my little one had 4 at a time and all kinds of stuff would happen including lose stools... Poor babies!!!

Contact your doc and see what he says. He'll know right away if its signs of a virus or infection that's floating around and would want to see him in that case.

Hope that helps, let me know if you have more questions! I'm no professional but I'm glad to help! Congrats on the bun in the oven too! :o)

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A.P.

answers from Dallas on

Take him off of all dairy products for at least a week (including yogurt, cheese, etc) and see if there's a difference. If there's a difference you might try switching to soy milk (still great protein) although 50% of people allergic to dairy are also allergic to soy. It's worth a try though. Hang in there, and lather up on the diaper cream!!

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S.

answers from Dallas on

Teething can definetly be related to the loose stools, but having too much milk can also lead to diahrea and tummyaches. I would cut down on his milk intake and supply water instead and see if anything changes. My fourteen month old had the same problem and I basically cut his milk back to a sippy cup with breakfast and another with his dinner. I gave hime water with a little splash of juice with his snacks and his lunch and his stools became more firm. Milk is really good for him, but once they get off formula, food is their main nutritional source, so laying off the milk won't hurt him nutritionally. If nothing changes, you could try soy milk or rice milk as a substitute and see if they help. Good Luck!!

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A.K.

answers from Dallas on

My oldest son is allergic to milk and we did not know for 1 year after we made the switch. They can test for a milk allergy with a simple blood test. Get it checked out...we discovered at the same time that my son is allergic to egg whites among others!

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L.D.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter has a milk allergy and she had mucus and blood in her loose stools from time to time.
I would try him on soy milk or try the formula made for 9-24 mo and see if it helps. It could just be a lactose intolerance as my son has tested neg for milk allergy, but still has to be on allergen free formula-Dr. said must be lactose intolerant.
Best wishes

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J.L.

answers from Dallas on

has he had severe diaper rash along with the poops? if it's a food allergy, the redness and any bumps will be centered more around his anus rather than on his cheeks. i found research and pics of that info online while my son went through something similar. no diaper cream helped, just taking him off all things milk/milk-based. the allergists i took him too said to journal his food for 2 wks. when you have to read the label and write down exactly what you give him, it makes you realize how MILK is in everything! our allergist said to avoid the obvious ingredient milk, and also whey and casein (not sure on spelling) in any foods or drinks anyone may give him. i put him on Silk, journaled his food and with in 72 hours all diaper rash and runny poops were gone. this happened when he was 14 mos old. he's now 25 mos and has grown out of the allergy just as the allergist thought he would do.
good luck!

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