Cow’s Milk Allergy (also known as Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy or CMPA) is one of the most common food allergies to affect babies and young children in the United Kingdom. It is estimated to affect between 2 and 7.5% of babies under one.

Cow’s milk allergy is an abnormal response by the body’s immune (defence) system in which proteins in a food (in this case cow’s milk) are recognised as being harmful.

Whilst CMPA mostly affects formula fed babies, breast fed babies can also be affected too. Allergic symptoms to CMPA can happen immediately after feeding (IgE mediated) or they can be delayed (non IgE mediated).