Can a Baby Be OK with Milk-based Formula but Allergic to Whole Milk??

I would definitely back WAY up and start again but this time very gradually. Although some kids are fine making the switch really fast (my friend ran out of formula one day and just went straight to milk, no problems) my experience was that my son had a pretty hard time adjusting. He had really bad diarrhea and a horrible diaper rash. When we called the ped they told me to back up and start slowly like 1 oz of milk to the rest formula and increase slowly 1 oz at a time from there. He was fine once we did that and he's now 2.5 and has no issues w/ milk.

He may not have an allergy but he might be lactose sensitive or dairy sensitive. I switched my baby a little while ago. First she had diarreah, then constipation, then she started to vomit it up. The ped said there is no way she could be allergic to whole milk because she was on milk based formula. My boyfriend and I did not agree with her. We switched her to Soy Milk, and the doc said to switch her back to whole in a month. I am not sure we are going to (going to get a second opinion) and she is doing great on soy! I think the whole milk was way to heavy for her tummy, even though she loved the taste. Plus my boyfriend is lactose sensitive, meaning he can only have it in small doses or it gives him diarreah/tummy pains. Good Luck!

I also wanted to add that I switched my baby more gradually on to the whole milk (1 ounce of formula was taken away and 1 ounce of milk was added each day over the course of 7 days) and her problems started about 4 days after she was completely on milk (completely on milk on wednesday, problems started sunday). I hope this helps!

I give my babies Traders Joe's Organic unsweetened Rice Milk and they LOVE it - no tummy/constipation problems. Maybe try something other than dairy and consult w/your doctor. Good luck!

You could try goat's milk. My son did something similar when we tried to go to whole milk. He's been on goat milk ever since. And he's been great! Can get it at most wal-marts, and grocery's in the "natural" section. Comes in either whole or low-fat versions.
Goat milk is just as nutrious if not even better than cow's as it's closer to breastmilk. And it's an alternative to those who are lactose intolerant. And for those who have irritable bowel issues...
My son can handle all the other dairy items, it's just milk that "bothers" him. He's been on goat milk ever since formula (he was a lazy nurser and refused to latch on correctly breastfeeding and I had postpardum depression, he went to formula, then weened himself) and he's loved it ever since. He knows it's his milk and he even knows it's goat milk. He's fine with it! Try it and see what happens!! Good luck!!

Yes. Stop giving him whole milk. You can try 2%, if that doesn't work, go back to formula (if he needs it) or just have him drink other beverages. Water is the best.

2 of my boys are the same way. they both had milk based formula but still throw up on whole milk and they r 20 months and 4 years old. they are ok w yogurt and cheese though, dr said because of the higher level of lactose in the milk. even fat free milk comes right back up, and the little on gets sick on cookies, candy or anything w a lot of sugar in it but that makes sense because lactose is the sugar in milk. we use soy and goat milk. my other 2 kids love milk. i don't understand sometimes either. its not a milk allergy its lactose intolerant. milk allergy is different.

Our son was okay with milk based formula, but didn't do well with the whole milk. Severe diariha (sorry, can't spell). We switched him to Lactose free whole milk and he is just fine.

I would give it at least a week, most kids take time to adjust to new foods. The congestion could just be coincidental. Also, could it be making him constipated. Try giving him the milk in smaller amounts- no more than 16 ounces a day.

Whole milk is a thicker consistancy than formula. My daughter also had a problem switching. I moved her to 2% milk, with the ped. approval, and did fine.