Allergies & Baby Formula

faq_Allergies & Baby Formula_getty.jpg
9 comments Send to friend Print this article
Q

Can formula actually cause allergies?

drgreene

Yes. The cows' milk protein and the soy protein used in most formulas are foreign proteins. When babies are exposed to non-human milk, they actually develop antibodies to the foreign proteins. Research has shown that, without exception, the important food allergens found in milk and soybean formulas are stable to digestion in the stomach for as long as 60 minutes (as compared to human milk protein, which is digested in the stomach within 15 minutes). The foreign proteins pass through the stomach and reach the intestines intact, where they gain access and can produce sensitization. While research in this area is still relatively new, this early exposure to foreign proteins may be the predisposing factor in such illnesses as eczema and asthma.

Reviewed By: 
Khanh-Van Le-Bucklin M.D. & Rebecca Hicks M.D.
Last Reviewed: 
4
 
 
 
  • Allowed HTML tags: <em> <strong> <cite> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd>

More information about formatting options

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

Comments

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2011-09-12 09:38.

My Son has a severe cough often followed by vomitting

Hi, My son is 8 months old now and has always suffered with reflux/ or the common spit up. For about a month now, he began with a cough that usually comes in what I refer to as "attacks" followed by projectile vomiting and some wheezing! It happens mostly in the mornings and night time. I've been to 4 different pediatricians. The first two gave him antihisthamine; the third ped. had me nebulize him for 14 days along with a different antihisthamine and medicine for the reflux. The last pediatrician Ive consulted with believes all is related to reflux. He is healthy- weighs 21 lbs, and all doctors have said his lungs were clear, throat clear and is gaining weight and developing as per normal. Even after all these treatments I have seem little to no improvement. Yesterday alone he had 2 attacks. Could this be related to his formula? He is on Similac sensitive LF for about 3 mths. Prior to this he was on Similac advance. Please provide some guidance! Should I try Soy milk? I am now wondering if his allergies came about because of the formula he has been on.
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2010-08-02 10:30.

Eczema

My son is now 6 months old. He started to have Eczema when he was about 1 months old. It started from the face to the whole body. His pediatrician suggested to switch from cow milk formula to soy milk formula. Also, apply cream to his body to keep it moist. We saw some improvement after we use the cream but no sure about the formula. The eczema sometimes flare-up for some reasons which I don't know what causes his body to react that way. Would that be formula? I recently read about Hydrolyzed formula. Is it worth to try?
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2010-07-30 21:16.

What can I do now?

Very interesting to read this info. My son was 100% formula fed and moved to a hypoallergenic brand by 1 month old due to rashes and stomach pains. He did well on this and finally tolerated dairy & soy by 2 years old. However, at 4 years old we've now found that he may have gluten, dairy and soy sensitivities (although negative in blood tests) and his body seems to have a tough time after immunizations. Now thinking our decision to formula feed may have caused some of these problems. Any ideas on how we can help re-build his immune system and hopefully his tolerance for some of these foods?
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2010-07-14 15:53.

fussy, crying, psorisis type rash all over body..need help

My 2 month old grandson is just miserable. would it help to go with pre digested formula? thank you

Reply

DrGreene

Crying and Rash

Often the kind of crying and rash you describe is linked to a protein in the formula. So yes, pre-digested formula will sometimes make a big difference. Either way, he deserves relief. Encourage his parents to keep after his pediatrician until this is sorted out.
deepa's picture
deepa

my son won't take his milk/ formula

my son is going to be 1 year in few days. he was breast feed till 8 months. when he started on formula he just took about 3-4 ounces.Gradually he is rejecting to take his formula.now he just take about 1.5 ounce.i have been noticing some skin rashes around his face and neck.i thought it was from some food. but even with only his formula mixed with cereal gives him rash around his mouth. so can he be allergic to his formula? he gets sick often. i am so worried. please help me.thank you!

Reply

DrGreene

Formula allergies

Formula allergies can develop over time. So yes, kids can become allergic even if they had no problems with a formula before. The good news is that most allergies to formula proteins that kids develop in the first year of life will be outgrown in early chilhood.
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2010-01-20 18:27.

My Son is sick all the time

My son is 7 months old. He was breastfeed till he was 5 months old. Then when i put him on formula and he was very gassie but never throwup. Then I put him on gas released formula. That helped the gas but ever since he has been on regular formula he has been sick with ear infections and a bad cough. He is put on antibiotics and stariods. He just gets it back again. Could he have a formula allergy? I was really alergic and so was my husband! Please get back to me. Thank You!

Reply

DrGreene

Sick all the time

Often kids get sick more frequently between 6 and 12 months old than any other time. Immunity from Mom is starting to fade while their own immune system is just gearing up. This is especially noticeable when this window falls during the winter months. But yes -- allergies can lead to frequent ear infections. For perhaps a third of kids with frequent ear infections, allergies are an important cause. For them, just switching formula could solve the problem.