A mum of a two-month-old asks for advice. She thinks her baby has an allergy to cows’ milk. She thinks that the spots around the baby’s mouth are due to the baby reacting to the milk.

If a parent suspects that their baby has a food intolerance or allergy, it can be a worrying time for them and it can be difficult to identify what the issue might be. Although any confirmation of a diagnosis would need to be made by a GP, what sort of advice can you give, or symptoms would you listen for?

Consider the following:

• How is the baby currently fed?
• What are the signs and symptoms of an allergy to cows’ milk protein?
• What alternative options for feeding are there if a diagnosis is made?
• What dietary advice would a breastfeeding mum follow?
• What is the difference between allergy and intolerance?