Wheezing

Wheezing, or noisy breathing, is a high-pitched, whistling sound, which happens when the small airways become narrow, making it difficult for a baby to breathe. It is a common problem in babies, and in general, babies and children wheeze more than adults because of differences in the size of their airways.

Wheezing & CMPA

Why does my baby have wheezing?

Your baby may be wheezing due to a food allergy, e.g. Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA), or other allergies to dust or pollen. Almost 30% of babies with CMPA will have wheezing as a symptom. However, it can also be due to a chronic illness such as asthma, a respiratory tract illness or because of a cold virus.

Could it be Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy?

Wheezing is a common symptom for babies with CMPA. However, babies with CMPA usually experience more than just one symptom and these symptoms can be very different from one baby to the next. Therefore it is always best to discuss it with your baby’s healthcare provider. They will look at the symptoms in detail and often use a symptom scoring system to decide if it is related to CMPA.

What to Do Next?

If you are worried that your baby has symptoms related to cow's milk, you should seek advice from your healthcare provider. Whilst you are preparing to visit your healthcare provider, it can be a good idea to record your baby's symptoms over a few days before the visit.