Switching to complementary foods is a very exciting adventure for parents whose baby is 6 months old. However, for babies with "Cow's Milk Allergy" or, more generally, different food allergies (egg, nuts, etc.), the complementary feeding process is filled with anxiety, confusion and sometimes, unfortunately, fear. We answer questions asked by many families of children with allergies and share our processes in our clinic.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE HIDDEN ALLERGIES? In some babies, allergy manifests itself with atopic dermatitis (eczema) spots and red rashes on the skin, while in others it causes problems in the digestive system: Gas, severe and never-ending crying spells (as much as colic pain), slimy-bloody or green stools and persistent loss of appetite or inability to gain weight...
In such cases, we suspect food allergies, especially cow's milk, and we start strict diets or allergy tests, which we call "Elimination Diet", under the supervision of a doctor.
GOLDEN RULES OF SWITCHING TO SUPPLEMENTARY FOOD FOR A BABY WITH ALLERGIES:
1. Strictly Adhere to the Three Day Rule: While starting the supplementary food with healthy vegetables such as zucchini, carrots and potatoes, each new food should be given alone for 3 days in a row and then switched to a new vegetable/food. During this process, the child should be carefully monitored for vomiting, diarrhea, or skin inflammation; redness etc. In such cases, that vegetable should be deleted from the notebook immediately and the doctor should be informed.
2. Don't Ignore the Danger of Cross Reaction: Unfortunately, it may not be enough for a child with cow's milk allergy to simply "avoid cow's milk". Protein chains that cause allergenic reactions in cow's milk can be found in sheep's milk, goat's milk and even fermented versions such as cheese and yoghurt (they show 90% cross-similarity). Sometimes baked allergens can be more easily digested and tolerated by children (for example, limited milk powder in biscuits). But you should definitely test this within the specific plan the doctor will make. Saying randomly at home, "He has a slight allergy to yoghurt, I'll try it, it won't be a problem" can create risks of shock leading to respiratory arrest, called anaphylaxis.
3. Develop the Habit of Reading Labels (Being a Conscious Mother): All hidden dairy products such as "Casein, Whey, Lactoalbumin, Milk powder" written on the back of any jar of food, bread or biscuit you buy from the market trigger cow's milk allergy. You should also make sure that there are no hidden residues (cross contact) in products with a large vegan label on them.
When proper planning is done and carried out patiently with a careful and conscious pediatrician, Cow's Milk Allergy can be overcome to a large extent as the child grows (between the ages of 1-3). If you see stringy blood in your baby's stool or persistent rashes on his atopic skin, our first job will be to plan this difficult process together with our allergy expertise. For all other questions you may have, you can contact us via the WhatsApp button on our website or our phone number!