What is CMPA?
Also known as cow’s milk protein allergy, CMPA is one of the most common childhood food allergies. It is estimated to affect around 7% of babies under the age of one. CMPA is an abnormal response by the body’s immune system to the proteins in cow’s milk, producing allergic symptoms.
Most children grow out of this allergy. It usually develops when cow’s milk is first introduced into your baby’s diet, either in formula or when your baby starts eating solids. It can also affect breastfed babies who are exposed to milk proteins from products the mother has eaten transferring through breast milk.
The start of our journey
Let’s start with what a journey it has been since Freddie was first diagnosed with a CMPA allergy.
Going back to the beginning – those early days with my beautiful little newborn who I needed to protect at all costs. One of the hardest things to deal with as a parent is knowing something is not right with your baby, but not being able to do anything about it. Or even worse, being brushed off by health care professionals.
I can’t remember exactly how many times we went to the doctor but it was a fair few times! And every time I was asked the same question – you probably know the one I’m talking about – ‘are you a first time mum?’.
We first noticed something was wrong with Freddie at night time. He would scream and scream for hours like he was in pain. I tried massage, bicycle legs… everything to settle our baby. Nothing worked! He would throw up after every bottle, not your normal baby spit up but nearly the whole bottle he had just consumed.
Getting help
I trusted my instincts and made a GP appointment, only to be told it was normal, perhaps colic, and symptoms would improve on their own. So off I went, feeling drained and emotional.
We went on for a few more weeks and symptoms started to get worse to the point where Fred started rejecting the bottle altogether. Our next appointment was via the phone, and we were told to try some reflux milk. We tried this milk for a few weeks and at first we thought things had improved. The nights were still tough, but I put that down to wind.
But then we started having different problems. Freddie was still being sick but he was also constipated. So I made another GP appointment, again over the phone, and I was told because he was a big baby, to water the milk down slightly.
Recognise the symptoms
Fast forward a few more weeks and I was so drained. I knew something wasn’t right but no one was helping me. So, I did the one thing we are told not to do and turned to Google. I googled all the symptoms – the rash on his face, the eczema that no cream could help, the nasal congestion that would not shift, the explosive diarrhoea one day, followed by constipation the next… It went on and on!
Immediately Google came back with CMPA. After speaking again to the doctor, we were invited in for a face-to-face examination, finally! At this appointment, it was confirmed that Fred had CMPA. I can’t explain how relieved I felt to have this confirmed, to know that I wasn’t being a dramatic ‘first time mum’, and that my instincts were right (mums, they usually are!)
A weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I went to the pharmacy to pick up Freddie’s prescribed formula. It took about two weeks for his symptoms to improve but when they did, it felt like we had a different baby. He was so happy, his skin was clear and no more snotty nose! He even started to sleep through the night. We felt like new people.
The weaning process
When Fred was approaching six months, we were faced with a new challenge – how to navigate weaning with an allergy?
I’ve been a nursery nurse for years and dealt with allergies all the time but it just feels different with your own child. So, I booked onto a weaning course for some extra support.
If you are in the same situation and your weaning journey is about to begin, please do not worry! In most places allergies are taken very very seriously. The Free From section is so impressive in the supermarkets nowadays that it’s unlikely your child will ever miss out. Also some dairy free recipes are very yummy!
Trust your instincts
Our experience with Freddie taught me to always trust my instincts when it came to my child. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
Always consult with your GP or Health Visitor if you think your child may have an allergy, it might not be an easy ride but keep fighting and you will get the support you need!
