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Food allergies can be a serious problem for babies. Babies of any age can get the disease, whether they are breastfed, fed milk or eating solid foods. Learning how to recognize and treat foodborne illnesses in your child can help you avoid a lot of problems and arguments.
Symptoms of Food Allergies
Arguing is often the first way a child gives to show that something is making them uncomfortable. Although fussing alone does not mean that a child has an allergy, it should be ruled out if your child keeps fussing, especially after eating, and has the following symptoms:
Excessive spitting up or vomiting
All children spit. Air enters their stomachs during feeding or crying. As it is released, it pushes the milk back through the weakened muscles of the esophagus and out. As it grows, those muscles become stronger and stronger and do not allow the milk to come in with trapped air. However, if your child has an allergy or sensitivity to something, it may cause him to spit up often or vomit a lot of milk.
Abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation
Food sensitivities and food allergies can also cause heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea or constipation. If your baby is struggling with any of these symptoms and you are breastfeeding, it could be something you are eating.
The worst offenders are milk. If your baby is formula fed, you may need to change the formula. If your child has started to eat solid foods, monitor him carefully to find out what is causing the problem.
Your pediatrician will be able to tell you if your child is lactose intolerant or lactose intolerant. Baby milk with hydrolyzed protein such as Hipp Comfort is gentler on the baby’s digestive system because the protein has already been broken down into smaller pieces. Hipp HA (Hypoallergenic) also breaks down whey protein for easier digestion.
Acid Reflux
Especially in young babies, acid reflux is often accompanied by spitting up or vomiting. Acid reflux is when the contents of the stomach do not stay, but wash up in the throat and sometimes in the mouth.
Like adults, reflux is more difficult for babies. Many children struggle and arch their backs when this happens. If he is asleep he may wake up suddenly and cry. Some children develop reflux due to the nerves in their esophagus, and it eventually outgrows it. Some children develop reflux because they feel what they are eating. It is important to talk to your doctor if your child has symptoms of acid reflux.
Hipp AR (Anti-Reflux) is designed for babies with acid reflux. Carob bean gum is thick enough to prevent your baby from eating it. When your baby is able to digest his milk, he can absorb all the calories and nutrients that help him grow and develop.
Gas
It’s not difficult for your baby to have a gasp due to a blocked airway. If, however, your child seems to have gas most of the time, he may be interested in food.
Colic
If your baby is fussy, or cries a lot, this is called colic. Many parents associate colic with children who have gas or colic. If your child has frequent coughs, look for other symptoms to see if they may be due to allergies.
Nose and Throat
Excessive mucus production is another sign that your child may be allergic to food. If your child always has a runny or stuffy nose, and environmental pollutants such as pollen and pet dander have been removed, they may be eating what they are eating.
Cow’s milk is a major culprit when it comes to excess mucus and congestion. Cow’s milk allergy can also show up with mucus in the stool. If these symptoms occur, remove cow’s milk from your child’s diet.
If you don’t want to use plant-based soy, you can consider goat’s milk. Although still a form of milk, goat’s milk has less lactose, less curd, and may be easier to digest with fewer complications. You can find some of our goat milk products here.
Corruption
One of the main signs of allergies in your child is a rash. If your child has a rash, rashes, dry skin, eczema, or bleeding in the intestines, then he has a food problem. Although persistent diaper rash can be caused by yeast or infection, most are caused by food allergies. Cutting out the offending food should clear up the rash within a few days to a week. If the rash does not go away, take your child to the pediatrician.
Hives
Hives, which appear as raised red and sometimes white spots or patches, are an alarming sign of an allergic reaction. Hives are a sign that your child’s immune system is overloaded with histamine. If a child develops hives, consult a doctor immediately, and avoid exposing him to the food that caused it.
Swelling
Worse than hives, is inflammation. If, after coming in contact with a certain food, your child develops any swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, consult a doctor immediately. Check your baby for any problems, heartbeat or breathing difficulties. If these symptoms occur, seek medical help immediately.
Cough, Wheezing or Cough
If, after eating, your child has symptoms of wheezing, asthma, wheezing, or a persistent cough, seek help immediately. This may be an indication of a serious disagreement. This is especially important when introducing solid foods. Watch your baby carefully when introducing new food or milk.
Anaphylaxis
When true allergies are present in anyone, there is a risk of having an anaphylactic reaction. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening reaction that occurs when a person is exposed to an allergen, and their body reacts. Anaphylaxis causes panic attacks; increased ventilation; low blood pressure; increased heart rate; and sometimes there is swelling, nausea and vomiting. Anaphylaxis is especially dangerous for babies. For some food allergies, such as peanuts, allergies can range from mild to severe with just one serving. If your child has a problem with food, talk to your children about it. Sometimes it’s important to carry a life-saving epidural if your baby is in serious trouble.
Whenever you give your baby new milk or food, watch him carefully for these signs or symptoms. If you experience any of them, stop feeding the food immediately. If you are exclusively breastfeeding, and you suspect that your baby is not sick, see our article on breast-feeding allergies.