Frequently Asked Questions

Symptom Checker

Symptom Checker

There can be a number of potential causes for the pain your little one feels.
Identifying their symptoms is the first step in understanding what’s wrong so they can get the relief they deserve. With such an array of symptoms unique to each child, a milk allergy or milk-allergy-associated issue easily can be overlooked. Some symptoms may be more prevalent than others and some may not affect your child at all. To help determine whether or not your child may have a milk allergy or associated issue, ask yourself these eight quick questions—and discuss with your child's doctor.

Regardless of the results of this quiz, if you have any concerns regarding the health of your child please consult with your child’s doctor as soon as possible.

Skin

Does your baby suffer from skin rashes?

There are many causes for baby skin rash. Allergy to milk is one possible cause, especially if the rash occurs along with some of the symptoms mentioned in this quiz.

GI

Does your baby vomit frequently?

Baby spit-up is quite common. But when your baby spits up all the time, has projectile vomiting, isn’t gaining weight properly, has trouble swallowing, seems distressed or is always unhappy—it may be a sign of something more serious: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A cow milk allergy may also be involved, causing reflux issues to increase.

Does your baby have persistent diarrhea?

A baby’s stool is normally loose compared to an adult’s. A looser stool every once in a while is not uncommon. However, if bowel movements become much looser or more watery and are persistent (two to four times a day for more than five to seven days) and/or if you see blood in your baby’s stool, this could be a sign of a milk allergy.

Is your baby regularly and uncomfortably gassy?

All babies have gas, but when they are persistently gassy and display several of the other symptoms discussed here, it can be a sign of milk or food allergy.

Breathing

Does your baby have any respiratory problems?

Colds are common for infants—but wheezing, struggling to breathe and developing excess mucus in the nose and throat are not. For some children, respiratory issues like these are signs of a milk or food allergy or related GI issue.

  • Wheezing

    Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound made while breathing, usually breathing out (expiration). Wheezing results from narrowed airways.

    Go to Glossary

Other

Has your baby experienced little or no weight gain?

Most infants double their weight by six months and triple it by 12 months. Another sign of good weight gain is when babies follow the standard developmental growth charts at well baby visits. When babies do not get the nutrition they need because of excessive diarrhea and vomiting, they are unable to grow as they should. Milk or food allergies should be considered.

Is your baby extremely fussy and unhappy?

Every baby cries, but crying continuously and inconsolably for long periods of time is atypical.  A rule of thumb to go by is if your baby is crying for more than three hours a day for more than three days, over three weeks, then you should speak to your doctor. Gastrointestinal pain from milk/food allergies can be the cause of this extreme fussiness. When your doctor can find no apparent reason for the crying and rules out other physical ailments, it is usually called infant colic.

Is your baby failing to thrive?

Multiple food allergies and GI issues can cause failure to thrive in infants. Trust your instincts and discuss your concerns with your doctor.