It’s important to have accurate information available so that the healthcare professional can decide what the best course of action is for your baby.

Things to think about beforehand

• Is there a family history? Does anyone else in your family have a food allergy, hay fever, asthma or eczema?
• Is there a pattern in your baby’s symptoms? Are they worse at certain times of day or do they coincide with certain foods or any changes in feeding habits?
• How severe are the symptoms, how quickly do they develop, how long do they last and how often do they occur? Do the same symptoms happen each time a particular food is eaten?  

Write down relevant information 

It’s a good idea to keep a log of your baby’s feeding schedule and any symptoms they have so you don’t forget. This can help you understand whether there is a link between consuming cow’s milk and your baby’s symptoms. We have prepared a blank feeding and symptom diary that you can download and fill in. The allergy test is also a useful tool to help you collate important information to discuss with a healthcare professional.

Questions you might like to ask

• What could be causing my baby’s symptoms?
• Is it possible that my baby has a food allergy like cow’s milk allergy?
• Do we need to do any allergy tests?
• Is it possible my baby is allergic to several things?
• If tests will be done, how long will it take to get the results?
• How is cow’s milk allergy managed?
• What dietary changes are required for a baby with cow’s milk allergy?
• Do I need to make any changes to my own diet if I’m breastfeeding my baby?
• Do I need to switch my baby’s routine formula? 
• How soon after making dietary changes would you expect to see changes in a baby’s symptoms?
• Does my baby need to see a specialist?
• If it is cow’s milk allergy, will my baby always have it?
• If it is cow’s milk allergy, when would my baby be able to tolerate milk again? 
• Could cow’s milk allergy affect a baby’s growth?

The tools and tips on this site are designed to help you get the most from your time with a healthcare professional. Although this site is full of information to help you understand and recognise cow’s milk allergy, it is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always speak to a healthcare professional if you are worried about any of your baby’s symptoms.