Milk intolerance or allergy

About one in 10 babies is allergic or sensitive to cow's milk. Your baby is at higher risk if someone else in your immediate family has trouble digesting milk products (there is a genetic link). Parents who formula feed from the start may notice a reaction to a cow's milk-based formula right off the bat. Mothers who breastfeed don't usually spot the symptoms until they begin supplementing with formula. Symptoms of both milk allergy and lactose intolerance include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and rashes.

To pinpoint dairy products as the cause, a doctor will recommend that you cut out all dairy (formula included) from your baby's diet for a few days, and then slowly reintroduce dairy foods. If you breastfed, you'll likely be asked to stop eating all dairy products yourself, since the irritating proteins in dairy can pass through breast milk to your baby. If this helps your baby, you may have to give up dairy products or limit your consumption until you wean your baby. If you formula feed, you'll probably find yourself switching brands until you find one that doesn't upset your child's stomach. You may have heard that soy formula is often the solution, but that's not always the case. Five to 10 percent of kids who are allergic to cow's milk are also allergic to soy. BabyCenter can help you find a formula that's right for your baby.

Learn more about how doctors diagnose and treat food allergies and sensitivities.