Guide for Milk Substitutes in Cow’s Milk Allergy

ASCIA HP Guide for Milk Substitutes in Cow’s Milk Allergy 2024155.41 KB

This document has been developed by ASCIA, the peak professional body of clinical immunology/allergy specialists in Australia and New Zealand. ASCIA information is based on published literature and expert review, is not influenced by commercial organisations and is not intended to replace medical advice. For patient or carer support contact Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia or Allergy New Zealand.

Breastfeeding is recommended for the many benefits it brings to both the mother and child. If breastfeeding is not possible, this Guide can assist health professionals in recommending substitute milks when an infant has cow’s milk allergy (CMA). This Guide also provides information about safe, nutritionally equivalent alternatives if a particular specialised formula is not available due to supply issues.

Exclusion of cow’s milk from a breastfeeding mother’s diet is not necessarily required in CMA and should be discussed with a specialist. If undertaken, cow’s milk exclusion should be supervised by a dietitian.

Commercial names and suppliers of specialised infant formula in Australia and New Zealand, and the method for their supply is provided for ease of reference.

Table 1: Abbreviations used in this document

Table 2: Commercially available specialised infant formula suitable for cow's milk allergy (CMA)

Notes:

• PBS and PSA item numbers are listed on http://www.pbs.gov.au andhttps://www.pharmac.govt.nz/
• Alfaré® (Nestlé) eHF has been discontinued in Australia and removed from the PBS from 1 August 2024. 

Rice protein based formula

There are two rice protein based formula available in Australia:

• Alula^® Gold Allergy (Sanulac) – whilst there are no product specific studies hypo-allergenicity or growth studies currently available, each batch is tested for milk and soy contamination.
• Novalac^® Allergy (Aspen Australia) - Product specific hypo-allergenicity and growth studies have been undertaken.

Data is limited for use of rice protein based formula in non IgE mediated food allergies.

Infant formula NOT recommended for cow's milk allergy (CMA)

The following types of formula are NOT recommended for infants with CMA:

• Standard infant formula including anti-regurgitation, lactose free, organic, newborn, and follow on.
• Goat milk based infant formula.
• Other mammal milks and formula.
• A2 formula.

Table 3: Specialised formula and indications in cow's milk allergy (CMA)

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) alone is not an indication for specialised infant formula.

* Unless allergic to rice.. eHF or AAF is recommended if poor growth and/or multiple non IgE food allergies.

** Unless allergic to soy. Soy is offered as an option for IgE-mediated CMA and anaphylaxis based on expert opinion, and review of the literature which presents very limited evidence of IgE mediated clinical reactions to soy in children with IgE-mediated CMA. (Adapted from Kemp et al.,2008).

Guidance regarding specialised formula substitutes for cow’s milk allergy (CMA)

If an infant’s usual formula is unavailable, use table 3 to select suitable substitutes. The most straightforward approach is to select a product from the same group that the child is already on (e.g. substitute one eHF for another eHF).

Recommendations for a substitute formula should involve a review of factors that led to the initial choice, and any change in clinical history. For example:

• A thriving child with non-anaphylactic IgE-mediated reactions to cow’s milk formula was established on eHF due to age being less than six months, but is now older than six months, therefore soy formula should be considered.

When AAF for children older than 12 months is required, but is unavailable:

• A paediatric allergy dietitian should be consulted to assist with modifying the recipe for a substitute AAF.
• For all formula changes, recipe instructions should be reviewed with the family, as scoop to water ratios can vary substantially.

For children over 12 months using soy as their milk replacement:

• Calcium fortified soy milk is an appropriate replacement for soy formula, if they are growing well and eating a wide range of family foods.

For children with cow’s milk and soy allergies:

• Most plant based milk replacement products that are not calcium fortified are too low in protein, fat, and calcium. Therefore, they are not nutritionally adequate for children under two years of age, unless growth and nutrition have been assessed carefully.
• Children under four years of age only need 400-500 mL of calcium fortified plant based milk replacements a day to meet their calcium requirements. Larger quantities can reduce appetite, nutritional intake, and growth.

Referral of infants and children with CMA to a paediatric allergy dietitian is recommended to assess nutritional needs.

© ASCIA 2024

Content updated July 2024

For more information go to www.allergy.org.au/hp/food-allergy

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