what is mspi

MSPI stands for Milk/Soy Protein Intolerance

Babies who have Milk Protein Intolerance (MPI), or Milk AND Soy Protein Intolerance (MSPI), lack the ability to break down the protein found in Milk and/or soy.

When food reaches the stomach, it is broken down into smaller parts, called amino acids, that can be used by the body for fuel.   Children with a milk and/or soy protein intolerance, lack the ability to cleave the large milk or soy PROTEIN into smaller amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) that can be properly used by their body.

Since the protein is not broken down in the stomach, it passes into the intestines whole, where it causes irritation on the lining of the intestinal tract.  These irritations can cause serious problems, which are the symptoms of milk soy protein intolerance.


These can include, but are not limited to:

• runny and/or mucousy stools
• blood in stools
• green stools
• diarrhea
• gas
• bloating
• vomitting
• abdominal pain
• weight loss/ or inability to gain
• chronic congestion
• wheezing
• constipation
• an" allergy diaper rash" (which is an excoriated bottom, localized around the anus and doesn't respond to diaper rash creams)

A large percentage of babies who are intolerant to milk protein also have an intolerance to soy protein.  This is because the two proteins are quite similar in structure. 


A sensitivity to dairy products is common among nursing infants, because  
we aren't nursing baby COWS, we are nursing baby HUMANS
and their little tummies can't always handle the introduction of the protein found in cows milk.


I've often wondered how many parents think they have "bad baby" or a "colic-y baby" or a "baby who doesn't sleep"  when really, they have a baby who has a tummy ache because they can't tolerate milk or soy protein!  

Some babies may be fussy or irritable if their mama drinks a glass of milk or eats a bowl of ice cream after her lasagna dinner.  Too Much Milk does NOT do a baby good! These babies have a dairy sensitivity.  Avoiding major sources of milk can make these babies (and as a result their mamas) much happier.  These moms may or may not need to go on a "hard core dairy free" diet.  This site offers meal ideas as well as education, no matter what degree of dairy free you need to go. :)


Other babies (like my two sons) may have an actual "intolerance" to milk or soy protein.


This is DIFFERENT from "lactose intolerance" which the inability to breakdown the sugar in milk. (Lactose intolerance is very uncommon in babies (it usually doesn't show up until after age three) and is a serious lifelong condition that cannot be resolved by the mother changing her diet.  (Due to the fact that there is lactose in breastmilk.))


See this article, "Is My Baby Lactose Intolerant"
{This article also discusses a topic called "Lactose Overload" which can be a result of a mother with an oversupply issue. It is also oftentimes misdiagnosed as lactose intolerance.}

Some well intentioned moms have been misinformed that their baby is "lactose intolerant" and told that they should stop nursing when really they are "Milk Protein intolerant" or may even have a temporary "Lactose Overload" and would be able to successfully continue nursing as long as they commit to an elimination diet or a reduction in the amount of breastmilk they are feeding their baby.  

If your baby has any of the above symptoms be sure to talk to your doctor and ask to get a diaper tested.  
Just because you can't see blood, doesn't mean there isn't microscopic blood in your baby's stool.
And if there is blood, then you can be confident that your efforts to eat dairy and/or soy free aren't in vain!  (Click here to see possible causes of blood in baby's stools)

Even if there isn't blood... listen to your gut!   

You're the mama and you know when something isn't right with your baby.  Try cutting out dairy and/or soy for a couple of weeks and see if there's any benefit to your little one... it certainly won't hurt, that's for sure!  It might just be the ticket to a happy baby and mama! :)