1 in 20 infants and young children suffer from cow’s milk allergy. It is the most common food allergy in the age group. It is important to understand that
- children who are allergic to cow’s milk will also be allergic to sheep and goat’s milk and these milks should also be avoided
- most children will outgrow their cow’s milk allergy, usually by school age
- 4 out of 5 children with cow’s milk allergy do not react to baked milk products, such as digestive or malted milk biscuits
- children who tolerate and continue to eat these baked milk products will outgrow their allergies sooner than children who completely avoid all dairy products
- children with milk allergy should to be reviewed every 6 months to check their progress and see if they have outgrown the problem
For children with cow’s milk allergy there are four milk alternatives. For further advice, discuss with your dietitian, health visitor, nurse, or doctor.