How to wean a baby with a cow's milk allergy

What is a cow's milk allergy?

A cow's milk allergy (CMA), otherwise known as a cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA), is a common food allergy in children. “Cow's milk protein allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction to cow's milk that involves the immune system response, and that can be reproduced each time the child has cow's milk," says Eugenia Grand, Registered Dietician, member of the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the British Dietetic Association (BDA).

This reaction can manifest in a variety of symptoms, from gastrointestinal (digestive system) problems to skin issues and breathing problems. Babies can have an immediate reaction or a delayed reaction, or both.

If your baby is diagnosed with CMA, you'll be offered advice by your doctor or an allergy specialist on how to manage their condition. This may mean giving your baby specialist formula if your baby is formula-fed or removing cow's milk from your diet if you are breastfeeding.

How do you wean a baby with a cow milk allergy?

From around six months, babies can start trying out solid foods alongside their usual breast milk or formula in a process called weaning. All babies are different, so some may be ready to start solids earlier and some may not be ready until later.

It's not always easy to work out when babies are ready to start weaning, but signs can include being able to sit up, coordinating their eyes, hands and mouth, and swallowing food rather than spitting it out.

Milk - either breastmilk or specialist formula - will remain the mainstay of your baby's diet, so weaning is mostly about trying new flavours and textures, as well as getting used to eating solids.

"The weaning of a baby with cow's milk allergy is nearly the same as a baby without an allergy, but with a slight difference. Foods containing milk and dairy products should not be given until you seek medical advice from your dietitian, paediatrician, and doctor. Check all food labels for the presence of dairy or milk protein.

If breastfeeding, Grand says: "you must follow a milk-free diet and consider taking a vitamin D and calcium supplement. It’s important to speak to a medical professional before starting any supplements."

Fruit and vegetables

"Start with pureed fruit or vegetables," Grand advises. "A couple of teaspoons once or twice daily will be a good start. Try introducing new foods at the beginning of the day and observe how your baby reacts to them. Stop feeding when the baby is showing you the signs they have had enough. For example, keeping their mouth closed or turning away."

The best weaning foods are homemade without the addition of salt and sugar. Cooking fruit in water is a good way to soften it before blending or mashing it.

To help your baby get used to different textures and tastes, try moving on to mashed and finger foods - from purees or blended - as soon as they're ready. As your baby progresses, you can try different recipes that don't contain cow’s milk. There are also milk-free recipes on the Allergy UK website.

Use formula or breast milk

"You can mix your breast milk or formula milk into the weaning food at the beginning to make the food more familiar to your baby," says Grand. "Please don't worry if your baby does not eat much at the beginning and in one day. Their intake will pick up and how much they eat in a week is more important."

Use dairy-free alternatives

Emily Else, a specialist paediatric dietitian at City Dietitians, says it's important to substitute milk products with milk-free alternatives. This is to ensure you are still providing the essential nutrients including protein, fat, calcium, vitamin D, and iodine - and always check the label.

Oat alternatives to milk are great for savoury and sweet recipes as they don't have a strong taste and many are fortified with calcium and iodine. You can get higher fat versions and can add it to mashed potato, white sauces, custard, rice pudding.

There are many dairy-free spreads available which can be used for baking too. "Original custard powder is milk-free so just add your plant-based milk," Else says. "White sauces are easy to make with your plant-based milk and corn flour."

There are also a growing number of plant-based yoghurts available in supermarkets that are fortified with calcium and iodine.

Be aware of other allergens

Research has shown that some babies who are allergic to cow's milk may also react to soya. However, not all babies with a cow's milk allergy have allergies to other foods. Introduce the foods that can trigger allergic reactions - eggs, gluten, nuts, seeds, soya, shellfish, and fish - one at a time and in very small amounts so that you can spot any reaction.