New parents soon learn that baby poop comes in all shapes and sizes. And while a temporary change in color or texture usually isn't anything to worry about, irregular bowel movements can sometimes indicate a food intolerance, such as a cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA). This is especially true if your baby's stool is mucousy, blood-tinged, or looser than usual.
Here's what parents should know about the link between baby poop changes and milk protein allergies, with tips for relieving gastrointestinal symptoms.
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What Is a Cow's Milk Protein Allergy?
Food sensitivities aren't too common in babies, but they show up occasionally, says Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, MBE, FAAP, pediatrician and Chief Medical Officer of SpoonfulONE. One of the major culprits is cow's milk—specifically the protein molecules in the dairy product, which can trigger an overreaction of the immune system. (Note that milk protein intolerance is different from a true cow's milk allergy, which can be more serious).
With sensitivity to milk protein, formula-fed babies might react to their formula. Breastfed babies, on the other hand, can react to cow's milk particles that "leak" into their bloodstream in small quantities after nursing. Research estimates that cow's milk allergies affect up to 3% of babies at 1 year old.
What Does Normal Baby Poop Look Like?
There's a wide range of "normal" when it comes to baby poop. Breastfed babies usually have seedy mustard-colored poop, formula-fed infants tend to have firmer yellow or brown poop, and combination-fed babies may have poop that's somewhere in between.
Baby Poop and Milk Allergies: What's the Link?
Whether your baby is breastfed or formula-fed, what's inside their diaper could be a major clue to food intolerances. The following poop changes could indicate a sensitivity to cow's milk protein.
- Poop tinged with a small amount of blood (“Bright red can show an inflammation of the colon,” says Dr. Swanson.)
- Mucousy stool that resembles snot in the diaper
- Looser and mushier stool (diarrhea), especially if it happens two to four times per day for more than 5 to 7 days, though it's important to note that some healthy children also have loose, mushy stool
Other Symptoms of Cow's Milk Protein Allergies
If your baby has a cow's milk protein intolerance, you might notice some other telltale symptoms besides stool changes. These generally show up within the first week of cow's milk introduction, and they can include:
- Irritability
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Sore bottom
- Rashes
Note that babies could also have a true milk allergy, although it's more rare. Symptoms of a true milk allergy appear immediately after ingestion and include hives, wheezing, and vomiting.
Important Note
Note that a cow's milk protein allergy isn't the same as true milk allergies, which might be more serious and last longer in children. Lactose intolerance is also different, and it generally appears when a child is older.
What to Do for Milk Protein Allergies
Does your baby's poop look loose, mushy, blood-streaked, or mucousy? They might have a sensitivity to cow's milk protein. Treatment depends on your individual situation, as well as whether your baby is breastfed or formula-fed.
For breastfed babies, a pediatrician may recommend an elimination diet, which involves removing triggering foods from the nursing parent's plate such as milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, etc. For formula-fed babies, they may recommend switching to a different type of formula. If milk protein sensitivity is the issue, your baby's symptoms should improve within two or three weeks with the diet change.
Although unusual baby poop can seem alarming, experts stress that minor intestinal inflammation isn't a big deal. In fact, even if your child has a sensitivity to milk protein, their pediatrician will likely recommend re-introducing dairy to our child's diet at some point. Milk protein intolerance is usually outgrown by age 1-2 years old.
