Cow’s Milk/
Dairy
Introduction

Always consult with your baby's doctor/GP before introducing dairy back into your baby's diet.

When’s best to
introduce cow's
milk/dairy?

When should I consider introducing dairy foods?

The first thing to know is that the majority of babies outgrow their allergy by early childhood. But it will depend on the CMPA symptoms your baby presented with in the first place.

If your baby initially had a severe reaction that happened very quickly after consuming cow’s milk or dairy, then it might be an IgE-mediated CMPA. This type of allergy can take longer to outgrow than other types. If you are unsure, then it is best to talk to your baby’s allergy doctor/GP about this.

Meanwhile if your baby’s reaction was slower and less severe, taking hours or even days to present, it might be a non-IgE-mediated CMPA.

Kid eating cereal

IgE-mediated CMPA

Even if your baby has an IgE-mediated CMPA the prognosis is good, with around 65–75% of children outgrowing it by 3–4 years. When it is a mild form of this allergy (e.g., your baby never had a severe or anaphylactic reaction) then something called a “Milk Ladder” might be used to help you introduce cow's milk and dairy into your baby's diet. This should always be done under the supervision of your baby’s dietitian or doctor/GP, however.

If your baby has had a severe life-threatening reaction to cow's milk, such as anaphylaxis or has asthma that remains uncontrolled, then introducing milk should be performed in a medical facility, in consultation with your baby’s allergy doctor/GP.

Non-IgE-mediated CMPA

If your baby has non-IgE-mediated CMPA and has been avoiding milk for around 6 months, then your baby may be able to tolerate baked milk at around 9 - 12 months of age. Again however, you should always discuss this first with your baby’s allergy doctor/GP. They will be able to tell you when your baby is ready to start.

The Milk
Ladder

Introducing Cow’s Milk Into Your Baby’s Diet

To obtain the information that you need about the Milk Ladder, always speak to your baby’s doctor or dietitian.

The Milk Ladder is a structured, step‑by‑step way to reintroduce cow’s milk into your baby’s diet if they have a cow’s milk allergy. It begins by introducing cow’s milk in its least allergenic form, which is typically well‑cooked or baked into foods. If your baby tolerates these early steps without any negative reactions, you can gradually progress to further stages of the Milk Ladder, such as cooked or processed dairy products. Over time, and with careful monitoring, your baby may work their way up to eventually trying cow’s milk or standard formula.

Every baby is unique and will progress at their own pace, so there is no set timeline for completing the Milk Ladder. Regular review and support from your healthcare professional is essential to ensure the process is safe, appropriate, and tailored to your child’s individual needs.

If you would like some more information about the Milk Ladder, please see the resources below.

Adding milk to your baby’s diet with the Milk Ladder.

What should I do if
my baby has an
allergic reaction?

This is quite common. And despite all precautions, there are times when allergy babies accidentally eat dairy or cow’s milk products. When this happens, and if you are present, make a note of how soon the reaction occurred after the food was eaten, note the symptoms your baby experienced, and if any other foods were also consumed. Be sure to contact your baby’s allergy doctor/GP for advice.

If the allergic reaction is more severe, eg. your baby's breathing becomes affected or they have swelling in their face, mouth or throat — then you should use adrenaline (epinephrine). If your child has a severe reaction or signs of anaphylaxis, administer adrenaline and then call for emergency medical assistance.

It is very important to discuss this with your baby’s allergy doctor/GP in advance, so you know exactly what you need to do in an emergency!