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Cow’s Milk Allergy & Weaning Survey
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1.
Do you consent for this information to be used anonymously for analysis and presentation at a scientific conference?
(Required.)
Yes
No
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2.
What is your first name?
(Required.)
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3.
Please supply your email address
(Required.)
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4.
What age are you?
(Required.)
19-24 years
25-29 years
30-34 years
35-39 years
40-44 years
45-49 years
50+ years
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5.
Education received:
(Required.)
No formal education
Primary School
Secondary School
3rd Level (College / University)
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6.
Where do you currently live?
(Required.)
Republic of Ireland
Northern Ireland
United Kingdom
Other (please specify)
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7.
What age is your baby now?
(Please specify in months: )
(Required.)
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8.
Does your baby either currently have a confirmed diagnosis of CMA (Cow’s milk allergy) or had previously a diagnosis of CMA but has now grown out of it?
(Required.)
Yes
No
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9.
What type of healthcare professional diagnosed your baby with CMA (Cow’s milk allergy)?
(Required.)
GP
Public Health Nurse
Practice Nurse (in a GP surgery)
Paediatrician
Dietitian
Pharmacist
I self-diagnosed the CMA
Other, please specify
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10.
Did you receive any information from a healthcare professional on WHEN to start weaning onto solid foods?
(Required.)
Yes
No
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11.
Did your child's allergy make you feel more anxious about starting solid foods?
(Required.)
Yes
No
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12.
What age was it recommended you start weaning your baby?
(Required.)
Before 4 months
Between 4 to 6 months
At 6 months
After 6 months
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13.
In relation to HOW to start weaning, were you advised to:
(Required.)
Introduce purees first
Introduce finger foods first
I wasn’t given any information on HOW to wean
Other, please specify
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14.
Did you receive any information on foods suitable for infants with CMA (Cow’s milk allergy) at the start of weaning?
(Required.)
Yes
No
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15.
Were you given specific advice regarding the introduction of the typically allergenic foods (e.g. peanut, eggs, fish, tree nuts, soy, wheat, sesame)
(Required.)
Yes – I was advised to avoid these foods until my baby was older
Yes – I was advised to introduce these foods into the weaning diet as soon as possible and to then give them regularly in the diet.
Yes – I was advised to introduce these foods into the weaning diet as soon as possible but I was not advised to give them regularly after that.
No – I was not given specific advice on these foods
Other (please specify)
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16.
How long did you leave between introducing one food and then introducing another new food?
(Required.)
A few hours (i.e. more than one new food was introduced in the same day)
1 day
2 days
3 days
4 days
I didn’t really take notice of this aspect of weaning
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17.
If your baby is 1 year or older, approximately how many different foods had they tried by their first birthday?
(Required.)
<20 different foods
21-50 different foods
51-80 different foods
81-100 different foods
>100 different foods
My baby is not 1 year yet.
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18.
Were you satisfied with the amount and quality of weaning information you were provided with?
(Required.)
Yes – I had everything I needed
No – I would have like more
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19.
If you searched for information on weaning from other sources, where did you look? (select all that apply)
(Required.)
Google search
Social Media influencers
Social Media registered healthcare professionals
Social media parent support groups
Web pages of well-known personalities / influencers
Web pages of registered healthcare professionals
The careline of infant nutrition / infant formula companies
A relative / friend
Other, please specify
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20.
How did you find the overall experience of weaning your baby with a cow's milk allergy?
(Required.)
Very difficult
Difficult
Easy
Very easy
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21.
If you found weaning challenging, what aspect in particular? (Select all that apply)
(Required.)
Finding suitable milk alternatives
Reading and understanding food allergen labelling
Managing allergic reactions
The fear of an allergic reaction
Ensuring balanced nutrition
Fussy eating / eating difficulties
Lack of support or guidance
No significant challenges
Other (please specify)
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22.
During the weaning process, were you provided with information and guidance on starting the milk ladder?
(Required.)
No. I just started it myself
No. I have not started the milk ladder yet
No. I did not do the milk ladder and my baby has just naturally grown out of their cow’s milk allergy.
Yes. I was told to start it but not given further information by a healthcare professional regarding how
Yes. I was told to start it and my healthcare professional supported me until my baby grew out of their cow’s milk allergy.
Other (please specify)
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23.
What was most important to you when weaning your baby? (tick all that apply)
(Required.)
Variety of foods
Foods that support my baby’s gut health / gut symptoms
Convenience
Cost
Nutritional quality of the food
Taste
Other (please specify)