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Reintroducing cow’s milk in the maternal diet: mothers’ experiences after child-motivated elimination diet : a qualitative retrospective interview study

Year: 2025
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Introduction: The cornerstone of cow’s milk allergy (CMA) diagnosis is an oral food challenge after a period of a diagnostic elimination diet. For breastfed infants, this is done through the maternal diet. Once a diagnosis is made the recommended treatment is a maternal therapeutic elimination diet. Aim: To explore what experiences mothers have, after a period of maternal child-motivated cow’s milk elimination diet, especially when reintroducing cow’s milk back into their own diet. Method: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were used. Recruitment was conducted using social media. Four online interviews were conducted in Swedish, recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was thematically analysed. Results: Four main themes were identified: Gut-related Discomfort, Psychological Distress, Gaps in Nutritional Advice and Insufficient Support or Understanding. Conclusion: A maternal cow’s milk elimination diet can have serious negative effects on the physical and mental health of the mother. There is risk that these effects continue even when the mother wishes to reintroduce milk in her diet. Therefore, the need for a maternal elimination diet should be assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration its potential impact on the mother. If an elimination diet is deemed necessary, then mothers should be provided with individual dietary advice that matches their personal needs. Dietary advice should include a recommendation to reintroduce cow’s milk gradually in mothers’ diets. To provide appropriate support, health professionals also need to improve their understanding of how difficult a cow’s milk elimination diet can be for mothers.
Institution: Uppsala University
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7134994102
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Related to: 10