What are the signs of a formula allergy?

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Most formula contains cow's milk protein, the most common food allergy among babies. And many infants who react to cow's milk are also allergic to soy-based formula.

Note: A milk protein intolerance is different than lactose intolerance, which is extremely rare in infants.

Signs of an allergy to milk or soy in formula

It's not surprising that some of the most common allergic reactions to formula are gastrointestinal symptoms, including:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Blood or mucus in the stool
Abdominal pain

These additional clues may indicate a possible formula allergy:

Continual fussiness or crying, along with obvious discomfort shortly after you've started or finished a feeding
Excessive gassiness or "colicky" behavior
Stools that are unusually hard or excessively loose, watery, and foul smelling
Frequent spitting up

Not all signs of a formula allergy are gastrointestinal. Other signs of an allergy include:

Rash
Hives
Eczema
Chronic nasal stuffiness
Runny nose
Cough

A severe food allergy may cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. If your baby has any of the following symptoms, call 911 or seek emergency care immediately:

Turning blue
Wheezing
Trouble breathing

Facial swelling (including lips or tongue)

What should I do if I think my baby is allergic to formula?

First, check with your child's doctor to make sure that something else isn't causing the symptoms. And ask the doctor if she recommends switching to a new formula. Once she rules out other possibilities, she may recommend a hypoallergenic (hydrolyzed) formula that's processed so as to avoid allergic reactions.

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