What should I do if my child has a milk allergy?
Cow’s milk allergy is one of the most common food allergies in babies and young children. Here I talk about how to spot a milk allergy and how you can keep your child safe and healthy if they have one.
What causes a milk allergy?
A milk allergy is caused by a reaction to the proteins in cow’s milk. For this reason, it’s also sometimes called cow’s milk protein allergy (CPMA). It’s one of the most common food allergies in young children. It affects two to three percent of babies and young children in the UK.
It’s different to lactose intolerance, a condition caused by a problem digesting lactose (the sugar in milk).
Some babies and children are at a higher risk of getting a milk allergy. This includes children who have:
- a skin condition called eczema (especially if the eczema is severe)
- another food allergy
How do I know if my child has a milk allergy?
The most common cow’s milk allergy symptoms affect the skin (70 to 75 percent). Digestive (tummy) and respiratory (breathing) symptoms are less common. Cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) symptoms are rare. Up to a quarter of children will have symptoms involving different parts of their body.
Symptoms of milk allergy can include:
- skin problems such as itchy skin or a rash
- swelling of the lips, face or eyes
- digestive problems such as an upset tummy and being sick
- an itchy or runny nose
These symptoms can begin straight after your child has milk, but sometimes they might take days to develop. If you think your child has milk allergy symptoms, book an appointment with a paediatrician as soon as possible.
Some children will have a very serious (anaphylactic) allergic reaction to milk. This is a medical emergency. Call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance if your child:
- is struggling to breathe or breathing noisily (wheezing)
- becomes pale and floppy
- feels dizzy
- has a swollen tongue or throat
Can I still breastfeed if my baby has a milk allergy?
If your baby is diagnosed with a cow’s milk allergy you may need to cut dairy out of your own diet This is because the protein in cow’s milk can get into your breastmilk. Some allergic reactions may take two to four weeks to resolve, even with appropriate treatment.
If you must cut out dairy, speak to a doctor or dietitian for advice. They can make sure you’re still able to get all the nutrients your body needs. It could be a good idea to talk to your dietician about your future plans. This might include if you’re continuing to breastfeed, going back to work or starting nursery. This can help them make a smoother plan for you and your baby.
What formula is best for milk allergy?
If you’re not breastfeeding and your baby is diagnosed with a cow’s milk allergy, they will be prescribed a type of formula milk called hypoallergenic formula. You will usually continue with a hypoallergenic formula until your child is two.
Your dietician might suggest changing from formula to plant-based cow milk with suitable mineral or vitamin supplementation. This can be after your child turns one, after an assessment by your dietician.
What foods should my child avoid if they have a milk allergy?
If your child has a milk allergy, they will usually need to avoid all foods that contain milk. Milk can be found in lots of different foods including:
- all dairy products, such as butter, cheese, yoghurt and cream
- creamy sauces, dressings and soups
- some cakes, pastries and biscuits
- ice cream, chocolate and fudge
- some processed foods such as certain sausage rolls and fish fingers
- some types of bread
- some breakfast cereals
You should check the labels of all the foods you buy to make sure they don’t contain milk. By law, all pre-packaged food sold in the UK must clearly say if they contain milk in the ingredients, no matter how small the amount. Ingredients can sometimes change, so make sure you check the label each time you buy a product.
Milk-free versions of foods can be found in shops, such as dairy-free milk, yoghurt and cheese. But make sure you still double-check the label.
When eating in a restaurant or ordering takeaway foods it’s important to tell the staff about your child’s allergy.
What can I use in place of milk?
If your child can’t have cow’s milk, don’t give them other animal milks such as goat’s milk or sheep’s milk. Instead, choose fortified milk alternatives, such as soya milk.
Make sure these have added calcium to support your child’s bone health and general development. If you can, try to find alternatives that had added iodine too. Usually, milk alternatives can’t be used as your child’s main drink until they are two years old. Speak to a doctor or dietitian if you’re not sure.
You should also avoid giving rice milk to your child before they are four and a half years old. This is because it contains a small amount of arsenic that can be very harmful to small children.
Can my child eat baked milk?
Baked milk, for example in muffins, cakes and biscuits may be less likely to cause an allergic reaction than fresh milk. Your child’s doctor, dietitian or allergy specialist will help you to work out whether they can include some types of milk in their diet. It’s very important that you don’t test this yourself at home without the support of a healthcare professional.
It might help if your dietician monitors your child’s diet. They can help them expand the variety of their diet with a milk ladder. This reintroduces milk into their diet, starting with baked milk and then work up to fresh milk. Only do this with a dietician’s supervision.
Can a child outgrow their milk allergy?
Most children outgrow their allergy by around five years of age. Your child’s GP or allergy specialist will help to support you and your child to have a healthy balanced diet. They can also help you to start adding cow’s milk into your child’s diet if they feel it’s safe to do so.
It can be worrying to find out that your child has an allergy. But with the right information and planning you can help to keep your child safe and well. Remember that your child’s medical team are all there to support you and your child.
Here at Bupa we understand how important your family is. So with our family health insurance you can rest assured knowing that eligible treatment and support is available to you and your loved ones when you need it.
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Sources Sources
- Does My Child Have a Cow's Milk Allergy? Allergy UK. allergyuk.org, published July 2021
- Cow's milk allergy in children. NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries. cks.nice.org.uk, last revised July 2024
- Cow’s milk allergy. Allergy UK. allergyuk.org, accessed January 2025
- Milk allergy. British Dietetic Association. bda.uk.com, published October 2021
- Cow’s milk allergy: the facts. Anaphylaxis UK. anaphylaxis.org.uk, published August 2022
- Cow's milk protein allergy. Patient. patient.info, last updated August 2022
- Cow’s Milk Free Diet Information For Babies and Children. Allergy UK. allergyuk.org, last reviewed March 2022
- The Cow's Milk Ladder. Allergy UK. allergyuk.org, published February 2024
- Your Baby's Cow's Milk Allergy Journey. Allergy UK. allergyuk.org, published March 2022
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