Breastfeeding

The gold standard
for infants

NHS guidance for mothers of infants with CMPA is they should be supported to continue to breastfeeding. Breast milk contains all the essential nutrients infants need in their first 6 months of life and should thereafter be complemented with a cow’s milk protein-free diet. In rare cases where infants react to cow’s milk transmitted through breast milk, mothers might have to eliminate cow’s milk proteins from their diet.

A clear improvement of CMPA symptoms is usually noticeable after the exclusion of cow’s milk protein in 2 to 4 weeks, and sometimes even earlier. It may be necessary for the mother to take daily calcium and vitamin D supplements while on a cow’s milk protein-free diet.^1-3

To confirm or exclude the diagnosis, a controlled oral food challenge under medical supervision may be required.²Learn more about food challenge here.