HomeAnswersPediatric Allergy/Asthma Specialistcow's milk protein allergyMy infant gets blood in his stools when I consume cow milk. Why?

How long should a mother follow a strict cow milk-free diet if her breastfeeding baby gets blood in his stools due to cow milk allergy?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At February 18, 2023
Reviewed AtOctober 13, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have an infant who is below six months old, weighs 16.09 Ibs, and height 2'17". He is exclusively breastfeeding. Two weeks before he had his second dose of the DTaP+polio vaccine and second dose of the rotavirus vaccine. Four days after the vaccination he had blood in his stools. On the same day, I ate too many cow milk products. Our pediatrician told that it could be due to the vaccine or allergy to cow milk. So she told me not to have cow milk products for two weeks. I did not eat for a week and since there were no symptoms, I was relieved and ate ice cream and cheese. On that day again my baby had blood in his stools. Now I am on a strict cow milk-free diet. My question is, how long should I continue this diet? Our pediatrician said me to continue the diet for two weeks and then we can reevaluate. Another pediatrician whom I consulted told me that it is sure that my baby has an allergy and hence I should continue this diet for at least six months. What should I do to know that it is cow milk allergy for sure? Currently, he is taking Vitamin D drops 400 IU. Can we start iron drops now or should wait for a few weeks?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for your query.

I hope the baby is active and playful. As you have said, this could be cow's milk protein intolerance (CMPI). I suggest you exclude cow milk and other milk products from your diet. Continue exclusive breastfeeding till six months of age and introduce cow milk-free products as complimentary feeds after six months of age. Also, continue breastfeeding till two years of age.

Blood in stools, after you take cow milk products, is an indication of CMPI. You can start iron drops from now and continue till the baby is one year old. Iron drops can make stools somewhat black and it is completely normal.

I hope this has helped you. Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Rakesh Radheshyam Gupta
Dr. Rakesh Radheshyam Gupta

Child Health

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