While it certainly is possible that exclusively breastfed infants can develop allergies, it is MUCH more common that hyperlactation (oversupply) causes infant symptoms that include spitting up, reflux, gas, explosive stools, and mucousy or green stools. Moms may be told to give formula to make the infant’s stools more solid. They may be told that their infant is allergic to something they are eating, and instructed to adopt restrictive diets or switch to “non-allergenic” formula. In reality, studies show that for more than 99% infants with PROVEN cow’s milk protein intolerance (CMPI), the breastmilk of a cow’s milk–consuming mother contains insufficient milk protein to trigger a reaction in the infant’s gut.
The health risks of formula are well known, and replacing breastmilk with formula in this situation is not indicated. Further, it is impossible for non-human milk fed to a human infant to be “non-allergenic.”
The mom of any exclusively breastfed infant with these symptoms should be evaluated for hyperlactation and treated appropriately with reducing pumping or overfeeding, block feeding, herbs, and pseudoephedrine.
If hyperlactation is not a concern and allergy is possible, is important to seek care from a pediatric gastroenterologist and allergist who is familiar with breastfeeding and can help guide restrictions in mom’s diet.
