CMPA or something else?

None of the formulas are ‘lactose’ free. Lactose is the sugars in the milk whereas most babies are reacting to the actual proteins in the milk. Which SMA are you using? Reflux can often be worse as the prescription formulas are really thin, a thickener can help with that. As it’s only on her cheeks I don’t think it is an allergic reaction. Is she teething? It could also be slapped cheek

@Lauryn she’s prescribed specific ‘lactose free’ formula. Aptamil lactose free and SMA lactose free - that’s the actual name of them. Neither are CMPA friendly

I’d say it’s more slapped cheek. And as Lauryn said lactose is the sugar in the milk and it’s very rare for babies to be lactose intolerant it’s more often an allergy to the actually cows milk protein. Has she got any other symptoms that would indicate an allergy?x

@Lauryn she is also on carobel already, there was one bottle in which we tried without since she started weaning and the reflux was worse than ever

Looks like eczema to me. I would do aquaphor

Gurl whey is milk protein. Find something soy based

@Jade Soy based isn’t advised for babies in general and especially CMPA babies when most have an allergy to soya as well. To the OP - Lactose is the sugars in milk, she could have a lactose intolerance but it’s very difficult to diagnose at such a young age. CMPA is an allergy to the proteins in milk which lactose free formula will have in it. I’m surprised the doctors haven’t prescribed an amino acid based formula and tried the CMPA route to begin with. Reflux often gets worse with CMPA. I suggest approaching the doctor and pushing for milk free formula a referral to the allergy clinic for testing. Word of warning though, the milk is very thin and will exacerbate reflux symptoms. You can ask for a thickner to add to the formula/medication for reflux symptoms. The cheeks do look like the start of eczema which is a sign of CMPA. Are there any other symptoms? x

@Sophie I hear you, it's not always the case. Wasn't with my little girl. But yes I'm aware soy doesn't always work because the protein are similar. Just giving girlfriend some options other than the most expensive can of formula

OP did you manage to get a doctors appointment?x

@Sophie thank you so much for your advice I will definitely be going back and doing this as yesterday they weren’t much help at all

@Julia I did yesterday morning- she said it was contact dermatitis from the new milk????? Which makes 0 sense tk me as she’s not smearing it around her whole face. I’ve been applying hydromol which seems to stop it from flaring but has now broken out with eczema patches along her arms 💔 it’s definitely the new milk and I’ll be asking to be referred for allergy testing

The problem is that cmpa won’t show up on an allergy test because it is non-IgE which means it is a different part of the immune system causing the delayed response hence why we see mucus in the poo and eczema. Only IgE allergies (ones that cause an immediate response such as rashes) will show up in allergy testing. Are you in the uk? I would definitely be asking for an amino acid based formula which contains no milk proteins

@Lauryn with luck we were given aptamil pepti 2 to give a go! Also been referred to a dietitian :)

Great news! Pepti does still contain milk proteins so if that doesn’t resolve things (it does for most babies) then go back and ask for neocate or sma alfamino.

@Lauryn I didn’t even realise thank you so much for your advice!!