Infants can develop allergies, have reactions to certain foods or have other kinds of digestive problems long before their first birthday. The infant digestive system is still developing during this critical time: in fact, infants are born with many key bodily systems under developed. This development (that typically takes place in the womb for other animals) occurs after the baby is born - which makes feeding in the first year a key activity.

Often, digestive problems in the first year actually disappear, as the gut matures. However, the possibility remains that your child could have an intolerance or allergy:

1. As many as 3 per cent of babies will have trouble digesting lactose. This is a sugar that is found in cow’s milk - and may be present in breast milk of a mom who consumes dairy products.
2. Some babies will actually develop a cow’s milk allergy in infancy (which is different from a lactose intolerance). The vast majority of the most commercial formulas are made with cow’s milk - so a formula fed child will have a higher chance of developing a dairy allergy with this early exposure to a potential allergen. However, the milk proteins can also be passed to the baby through breast milk - so even a fully breast-fed infant can develop a milk allergy (although they are much less likely to do so).

Unfortunately, both intolerances and food allergies can have very similar symptoms, and this is true in infants as well as adults. Diarrhea and upset stomach are key issues with both. So, it is possible that a true allergy can be passed off as a “colicky baby”.

How can you help your baby and your pediatrician determine if your child has an allergy? Look for these kinds of symptoms:

1. Forceful vomiting immediately after feeding - and more than 2 times a day - are an allergy indicator.
2. Wheezing and breathing issues can also be related to food allergy.
3. Eczema - which is large, dry, itchy patches on the skin - usually indicates allergy and is becoming more common in infants.
4. Rashes are another allergic indicator. Make sure that persistent rashes are seen by a doctor or health care practitioner.
5. Diarrhea is a common food allergy symptom.
6. Stomach cramping and pain can also point to allergies. If your child often has this symptom, it is worth checking out.
7. Your best indication that your child could be allergic is if the child has one or both parents with allergies, or an allergic sibling. If allergies run in the family, then symptoms that might be nothing in another child, could mean allergies in yours.

In most cases of allergy, the single best food you can feed your infant is your breast milk. This may mean dietary restrictions for mom while the baby is nursing - but nursing in this case is even more important.

One frequent recommendation for a mom with a colicky baby is to eliminate major allergens from her diet. The most common ones are dairy, gluten and soy. Often this is sufficient for baby to become a dream child! At this point, you can try adding foods back into your diet - and see how baby reacts.

Do not underestimate the advantages of nursing your allergic child. Extended nursing can provide exceptional benefits. Nursing as little as once in the morning and once at night (with an older baby) can provide both immune system boosting and help to the immature digestive system to develop normally. Keep in mind that the World Health Organization now says that breastfeeding should continue for 2 years and more, and that the American Pediatric Association recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 full months and breastfeeding for at least 1 year.

Source: Infants With Feeding Problems (booklet)