Advice for parents
Advice for parents
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Advice for breastfeeding parents
Parents should be encouraged to continue breastfeeding for as long as they wish to, preferably exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months.
Parents who are concerned about their child developing allergies should speak to their GP before changing diet. Unless a mother is allergic to peanuts, there is no evidence to suggest they should be avoided in the diet while breastfeeding.26
Breastfeeding mothers of infants with cows' milk protein allergy may be referred by their GP to a paediatric dietitian; they should not stop breastfeeding.27
It is safe for mothers who are lactose intolerant to breastfeed their baby.
Breastfed babies with lactose intolerance may benefit from lactase substitute drops.25
Advice for formula-feeding parents
Specialist milks may be appropriate for use to help with CMPA, reflux or lactose intolerance, but they should be used under medical supervision.
Parents/carers should speak to a healthcare professional before changing their baby's formula.
Babies with lactose intolerance could use lactose-free formula or lactase substitute drops could be added to formula.
Specialist milks may have specific preparation instructions. Parents/carers should be advised to follow the preparation instructions on the label and may also want advice on how to make up formula milks.