FOR INFANT COW’S MILK ALLERGY

Cow’s Milk Allergy Service

About this programme

The Oviva Cow’s Milk Allergy (CMA) service supports the appropriate diagnosis and management of infants with mild-moderate non IgE CMA, in line with current primary care and NICE guidance.

How to refer

Why should you refer your patients?

The service provides infants with non-IgE mediated CMA and their families access to technology and resources to enable them to self-manage their allergy; with access to additional support and expertise from a specialist paediatric dietitian. The programme has been shown to improve the cost effectiveness of prescribing of CMA infant milks by supporting the adherence to local formulary and clinical guidelines.

View our programme summary here

Rapid access clinic for infants to support the appropriate diagnosis with individually tailored management

Specialist dietetic care to support sufficient prescribing savings

Evidence-based and accessible dietetic led management of mild-moderate non IgE CMA

Programme pathway

All infants enrolled in the programme receive an initial consultation with a specialist paediatric dietitian followed by a series of one to one or group depending on the parent/carer’s personal preference. Telephone reviews are available for those not able to access the app. Dietetic care is completed, usually when the allergy is resolving.

Diagnosis

An initial consultation with a specialist paediatric dietitian to take an allergy focused history and set treatment goals with the parent/carer.

Management

Support with complementary feeding onto a milk free diet empowering parents and carers to make informed and safe decisions on their child’s feeding. The option of group coaching enables peer support as well as efficient delivery of services.

Resolution

Fortunately the prognosis of this allergy means that many children will start to outgrow it at around one year of age. The programme supports parents and carers with the knowledge and skills to safely reintroduce cow’s milk back into the child’s diet.

Breastfeeding and Cow’s Milk Allergy

Breastfeeding is the optimum form of nutrition for infants and Oviva actively supports the promotion of breastfeeding. Dietitians and dietetic support workers will support mothers, carers, midwives, health visitors, GPs and other HCPs in ensuring that all mothers who want to breastfeed are able. This includes in cases of suspected food allergies and ensuring that the diagnostic guidance is correctly followed to prevent inappropriate treatment and unnecessary discontinuation of breastfeeding.

Eligibility criteria

To be accepted on to the programme, all referred infants must:

  • Have suspected mild-moderate non-IgE-mediated CMA, including soya allergy with a CMA diagnosis
  • Be aged < 12 months old (unless on a prescription formula)
  • Be registered with a GP practice within contract ICB

Participant story- Nelema

Nelema is a mother of two and was referred onto the Oviva Cow’s Milk Allergy programme to get support for herself and her second baby.

Before joining the programme Nelema was anxious and nervous about the journey as her first child also has allergies. However, having now completed the programme she found the structure of the information really helpful, and it supported her in reducing her anxiety. The flexibility of the programme allowed Nelema to work through each part of their journey with their dietitian at a pace that suited her and her baby

Nelema found that having regular contact with the dietitian was reassuring and provided her with the support she needed. Her dietitian gave her confidence with overcoming her own personal challenges, especially around being cautious with weaning and introducing other allergenic foods to her baby.

“On the programme and via the app I received prompt support and my baby was no longer in pain after changing to dairy free. It has really been appreciated, thank you.”- Nelema 

Click here to watch Nelema’s full story 

Participant feedback

"My dietitian was so helpful during our time on the programme. She was approachable & answered my many questions with patience and was always so thorough. Thank you for being such a great help to us."

Programme completer

"Excellent service, I was listened to and supported with my daughter's milk allergy. The Oviva app had lots of information that could be accessed very easily"

Programme completer

"The programme was supportive throughout and I had constant communication. I never felt there was a question too silly to ask, my dietitian was never pushy. I liked the app. It was easy to message and send photos / videos."

Programme completer

"Very prompt appointment times. Extremely patient, helpful and always willing to answer questions"

Programme completer

"All through us using the service the team were so easy to get hold of, helpful and efficient. Things were sorted quickly to help my daughter and that meant less stress for me."

Programme completer

Your questions answered

How can primary care refer to the programme?

Please complete the referral form in full accessed via your system and send to the email address provided on the form.

What resources are available for those who do not want to or are unable to use the Oviva app?

If a participant does not have a smartphone or would prefer not to use one, they can have all appointments via telephone calls. The app is not compulsory and they can benefit from the service without using the app if preferred, although we encourage all participants to download the app to have the best possible experience of the service.

More FAQs

Meet the team

All Oviva services are overseen by our experienced team of service managers, clinical leads, specialist dietitians and health coaches.

Lucy Shipton RD
Clinical Lead for Paediatrics

Charlotte Dobson
Service Manager

Carine Jelinek
Service Delivery Lead