Cow’s milk protein allergy? - Pregnancy and Par...

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Cow’s milk protein allergy?

E_05 profile image
E_05
11 Replies

Hi all,

Does anyone baby’s have a CMPA?

My little boy is 7 weeks and my HV has always questioned whether he’s got one but I always thought it was more because I’m a coeliac.

However the last 2 weeks he’s been so constipated and when he does go after 3/4 days it’s like water and smells horrific as does any wind he passed. The other symptom she said sounds like it is he always has a snuffly nose.

My doubts are that surely he wouldn’t be gaining weight steadily if he had an allergy and wouldn’t be settled during a feed? The HV is keen for me to try a prescription milk and whilst I agree the formula he’s on probably doesn’t agree with him, I’m not sure it’s a CMPA.

Does anyone have any advice they can offer me, thanks.

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11 Replies
Ang24816 profile image
Ang24816

Hey hun.

My little boy had blood in his stolls at 4 weeks so was put on an amino acid formula, we gradually weaned him off at about 5 month's onto a normal formula and he was fine, now 9 months and he and his twin are fine with cows milk. They get everything they need from the puramino so if say give it a go.

Hope all's going well and your anxiety has eased a little (probably not though)

Xx

E_05 profile image
E_05 in reply to Ang24816

Hey, thank you that’s good to know. I spoke to the Dr today and we’re going to trial it to see if it helps, I’ve felt there hasn’t been something quite right when he feeds since he went on to formula so it’s worth ruling in or out.

My anxiety is definitely more manageable which I’m relieved about. Hope you’re well? Xx

Lovefood1984 profile image
Lovefood1984

👋 I remember you from the Fertility forum 😊 My little one has CMPA, for us it was green poo, very unsettled especially by the evenings, she barely slept if at all during the day and at night only upright on me, she also started snack feeding from the bottle due to the pain. It can manifest itself differently for different babies, some actually eat more to ‘soothe’ the pain, some like my girl drink less so weight isn’t always everything. If your little one has it, it does sound quite mild at present although things can get worse over time as they proteins build up. How does little one sleep and behave? Any excess crying etc? If you wanted to try a different milk comfort milk is partially broken down and the SMA HA is even more broken down again but not like the prescription milks, I think Aptimil have also brought out a one called sensitiva or something similar with pink on the box that looks to be along the same lines as the SMA HA. You could try one of these first as the prescription milks taste awful for them (luckily I have an unfussy baby) and see how you go. If not just get a few prescription tins to trial, you’ll know in a few days if things are any better or not and if not just return to regular milk. Any questions just shout, I’ve done enough reading around on milks etc to last a lifetime 😂 x

E_05 profile image
E_05 in reply to Lovefood1984

Hey, thank you so much as after reading this I think my little boy has more symptoms than I first thought. He will only sleep on me in the day, if I lay him down within minutes he’s awake screaming and this week night times been horrendous. I think he almost over feeds as sometimes it’s like he doesn’t actually want to drink he just like mouths the bottle if that makes sense but I guess it would make sense with the easing of pain. He’s quite relaxed while drinking but after a few minutes he’s crying and his last 2 poo’s were green. I’m glad now I spoke to the dr and we’re going to trial the milk from tomorrow xx

Lovefood1984 profile image
Lovefood1984 in reply to E_05

Which milk did you get out of curiosity? I see from above you had been giving breastmilk? That’s how we found out early on sort of, at 5 days old she wouldn’t stop crying but then after a full breast milk bottle she stopped only to be repeated at her next feed which was formula. It then seemed to settle with the SMA HA milk but by then I’d been giving her a lot more of my milk then things got worse as I decided I couldn’t pump and look after a newborn and by 7 weeks we were in a mess! We weren’t sure if it was just normal newborn behaviour to cry for hours but now looking back it wasn’t normal. It’s good it’s been spotted early and the dr is on board as I’ve heard of some people just not getting the help they need. You should see a massive difference in a few days but the remaining back to normal may take a few weeks. It took us about 3 weeks to get her fully sleeping on her back alone again but it can be done 😊 Reflux or silent reflux often go hand in hand with CMPA which is why they don’t like lying down. We also add a thickener to her milk too although now she’s not refluxy anymore I think we could remove it slowly I just don’t want to rock the boat 😊 If I can ever help with questions just shout. There is also a CMPA Facebook group that I have found very helpful with weaning ideas etc. 50% of babies with CMPA will react to soya too so one to watch out for in the future. Hope little one settles soon on the right milk x

E_05 profile image
E_05 in reply to Lovefood1984

Tbh until I read your message Id wondered the same if it was just normal and was I looking into it to much but there was something in my gut that told me it’s not quite right. Yeah I was breast feeding to begin with but when my milk came in properly it showed he couldn’t latch to one side as couldn’t move his head due to a forcep injury which we got sorted. I was expressing but similarly to you I just decided it was all to much and after everything we’d been through to get him I wasn’t actually enjoying any time so we went to formula. The Dr didn’t say the name, she just said she’ll prescribe 2 tins which I can collect tomorrow and then to ring Monday as we’re going away Wednesday. Will I be able to see a noticeable change by Monday? Xx

Lovefood1984 profile image
Lovefood1984 in reply to E_05

We definitely saw a difference within 24hrs, a big one at 2-3 days and then for everything to settle fully a few weeks. Some babies improve but then suffer again as they need a better milk so don’t panic if this happens it just means you need to try something else but regardless you should see a difference if it is CMPA. You’ll probably already be on your second tin by Monday, they are half the size of the regular ones just to make life easy 😊 Hopefully your little one will settle soon and you can get back to enjoying him fully x

E_05 profile image
E_05 in reply to Lovefood1984

Thank you, I can’t believe the difference in him already! It’s like a different baby, I can put him down after a feed and he doesn’t scream x

Lovefood1984 profile image
Lovefood1984 in reply to E_05

That great news 😊 Now you can go and enjoy your holiday too x

badgerhynes profile image
badgerhynes

I don’t have any personal experience but there are some great CMPA groups on Facebook that might be able to offer you advice

E_05 profile image
E_05 in reply to badgerhynes

Thank you x

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