Cow's milk allergy CMA is one of the commonest food allergies in childhood. While most children will outgrow CMA, diagnosis and management is complex and requires medical supervision. Careful and gradual reintroduction of cow's milk, starting with a baked milk challenge and then using the milk ladder is now accepted as the best way to hasten resolution.
The cow's milk ladder
The milk ladder provides a graduated guide to progressively introduce cow's milk proteins in children with cow milk allergy/ intolerance when it is deemed safe to do so. It starts with well baked milk products then foods are introduced with a gradual increase in the amount and type of cow's milk protein and a decrease in heating or denaturing process.
Cheese, butter and yoghurt
Children diagnosed with cow's milk allergy are advised to avoid all dairy products. When dairy is reintroduced, your doctor may advise to start with cheese, yoghurt or butter. Ever wondered why sometimes a child with cow's milk allergy can tolerate some hard cheeses, some types of yoghurt and small amounts of butter?