Some people say that after a drink of milk, their throat feels coated with milk and they want to cough. However, research suggests that it’s the consistency of milk that gives the sensation of it coating the throat, and it is not due to extra mucus being produced. Soya milk can give the same feeling too!
Several studies have looked at the amount of milk drunk by adults infected with a cold virus. They found no link between having dairy products and mucus production, or any other cold symptoms for that matter. So there’s no need to hide the milk or curd from your child when she has a cold.
In the past, some children with asthma have been advised not to drink milk, in case it made their symptoms worse by increasing mucus. But research has also found that this is very unlikely to be the case.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that some children who have asthma sometimes have an allergy to cow’s milk protein and when they come off dairy products including milk, their symptoms improve. Babies who have chronic nasal congestion can also have cow’s milk protein allergy and their symptoms improve on changing the formula to an extensively hydrolyzed one.
Unless your child has a milk allergy, there’s no need to restrict milk or dairy products from her diet, even when she has a cold. They are a good source of calcium, vitamins, minerals, and protein.
That said, you should always consult your baby’s doctor before making any changes to your child’s diet. Remember each baby is different, and your pediatrician is in the best position to advise the best option for your child.
