“My baby can't tolerate dairy.” It's something parents say frequently—but what does that actually mean? cmpa-vs-lactose-intolerance-in-babies-what’s-the-difference Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) and lactose intolerance are often talked about as though they're the same condition. They're not. One involves the immune system reacting to proteins in cow's milk. The other involves difficulty digesting lactose, the natural sugar found in milk.The symptoms can sometimes overlap,