How Do I Know If My Newborn Is Lactose Intolerant

What To Do If Your Baby Shows Signs Of A Milk Allergy

LACTOSE INTOLERANCE: Everything You Need To Know! Symptoms. Cause. Diagnosis. Treatment. Prevention.

If your baby shows any signs of anaphylaxis and you don’t have an epinephrine auto-injector, take them to the emergency room or call 911 right away.

For any other allergy symptoms, talk with your child’s doctor. They’ll ask about your baby’s symptoms to help determine whether it’s a milk allergy.

To diagnose your baby, the doctor may:

  • Ask questions to learn more about what’s going on with your baby.
  • Take a blood and/or stool sample to test.
  • Do allergy skin testing or refer you to an allergy specialist.
  • Suggest that you eliminate all sources of cow’s milk from your baby’s diet while you’re figuring out what’s going on, and to see if symptoms subside.

Complications Of Lactose Intolerance

Milk and other dairy products contain calcium, protein and vitamins, such as A, B12 and D.

Lactose also helps your body absorb a number of other minerals, such as magnesium and zinc.

These vitamins and minerals are important for the development of strong, healthy bones.

If youre lactose intolerant, getting the right amount of important vitamins and minerals can prove difficult.

This may lead to unhealthy weight loss and put you at increased risk of developing the following conditions:

  • osteopenia where you have a very low bone-mineral density left untreated, it can develop into osteoporosis
  • osteoporosis where your bones become thin and weak, and your risk of breaking a bone is increased
  • malnutrition when the food you eat does not give you the nutrients essential for a healthy functioning body this means wounds can take longer to heal and you may start to feel tired or depressed

If youre concerned that dietary restrictions are putting you at risk of complications, you may find it helpful to consult a dietitian.

They can advise you on your diet and whether you require food supplements.

Your GP should be able to refer you to an NHS dietitian free of charge. Or you can contact a private dietitian.

The British Dietetic Association has information on how to find a private dietitian.

Page last reviewed: 25 February 2019 Next review due: 25 February 2022

Recommended Reading: How To Add Newborn To Medicaid Illinois

How Lactose Intolerance Works

Lactoseis a sugar found in foods that many children love, including milk, ice creamand soft cheeses. Its also present in some baked goods, salad dressings,sauces, candy and other foods you might not expect. Breast milk and infantformulas contain lactose, too.

Lactoseis made up of two simple sugar molecules glucose and galactose. In order forit to be absorbed by the body, lactose has to be split into its two componentsby an enzyme called lactase, which is found in the lining of thesmall intestine.

But for those who are lactose intolerant, the activity of lactase is ineffective, and its unable to digest and absorb lactose in the small intestine. The lactose then passes into the large intestine, where it is fermented by gut bacteria. This process produces carbon dioxide and hydrogen, as well as certain byproducts that have a laxative effect.

Read Also: How To Put A Newborn Baby To Sleep

Lactose Intolerance And Breastfed Babies

Contrary to popular belief about lactose intolerance in breastfed babies, they do not stop exhibiting symptoms once the mother stops consuming dairy products. This is because lactase is present in all mammalian milk and not just in humans or other animals. A breastfed baby with primary lactose intolerance will have to be put on a special diet due to severe dehydration or complications arising from intolerance symptoms. For other types of lactose intolerance, the child must continue to be fed breastmilk and taken to the paediatrician for routine checkups to monitor and heal any underlying conditions.

Lactose For Babies Isnt The Enemy

Pin on lactose free... my new life..

Can babies digest lactose? In most cases, yes. Lactose literally means milk sugar.” Unlike regular table sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, lactose is very good for infants because it improves health three different ways:

  • Its digested into glucose, the key fuel for your babys bodyand brain.
  • It provides loads of galactose, essential for building your babys nervous system.
  • Any excess lactose that passes through the intestine undigested gets fermentedto gas plus a vinegar like acidin the lower intestine. This causes frothy, acidic stools that can irritate your babys skin . But the mild acid can also save your babys life by killing bad bacteria and boosting Lactobacillus acidophilus .

Also Check: Should Newborn Sleep With Hat On

Assessment And Diagnosis Of Lactose Intolerance

These are the 2 main tests that your doctor might recommend if your child has symptoms of lactose intolerance.

Hydrogen breath test For this test, your child drinks a standard amount of lactose. Then the amount of hydrogen gas in your childs breath is measured. Lactose-intolerant children have higher levels of hydrogen in their breath.

Elimination diet This involves removing foods containing lactose from your childs diet to see whether symptoms improve. If the symptoms come back once the foods with lactose are reintroduced, lactose intolerance is most likely the cause of the problem.

Its best to speak to your GP or a dietitian before starting your child on an elimination diet. Theyll ensure that your childs diet continues to give your child the nutrition they need for growth and development, even while youre eliminating things from it.

What Are Some Of The Signs Of Lactose Sensitivity In Babies

Lactose sensitivity in babies can cause fussiness, gas and crying. This digestive discomfort can occur anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours after consuming lactose. The degree of lactose sensitivity differs from baby to baby. Some babies may have a mild sensitivity, and it may be just a matter of managing the amount of lactose ingested. If babies have more severe or persistent issues, it could signal an underlying cause like a cows milk protein allergy.

Read Also: How To Keep Fleas Off Newborn Puppies

Is Food Allergy The Cause

The underlying cause of difficulty digesting lactose could be an allergy or intolerance to cows milk protein . Over time an allergy may cause inflammation and irritation to babys gastrointestinal tract causing the symptoms of lactose overload. For further information see Milk Allergy in Babies and Elimination Diet for further reading.

What Are The Signs Of Being Lactose Intolerant

Am I still lactose tolerant? – Lactose Gene Therapy Update

It occurs when there is insufficient lactase, an enzyme. Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose in meals. Lactose intolerance is characterized by stomach cramps and soreness, nausea, bloating, gas, and diarrhea. It can also lead to weight loss if you aren’t drinking enough water and eating foods with protein for fuel.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms regularly, it may be time to switch to a dairy-free diet. Doing so should help alleviate some of your discomfort and might even help you lose some weight over time.

About Article Author

Also Check: How Many Oz Newborn Eat

Some Facts About Lactose

Lactose is the sugar in all mammalian milks. It is produced in the breast. The amount of lactose in breastmilk isnt related to the amount of lactose you consume and it hardly changes. The milk baby gets when they first start to feed contains about the same amount of lactose as the milk at the end of a breastfeed. However, the milk at the end does contain more fat.

Lactase is the enzyme that is needed to digest lactose. Lactose intolerance occurs when a person does not produce this enzyme, or does not produce enough of it, and is therefore unable to digest lactose. If it isnt digested and broken down, it can’t be absorbed. If this happens, the lactose continues on in the digestive tract until it gets to the large bowel. It is here that bacteria break it down to make acids and gases.

Milk Allergy Baby Poop

A baby with a milk allergy might have diarrhea. Their poop will be loose and slimy and could be bloody or have mucus in it.

Babies poop a lot in the first couple of months, and breastfed babies often have watery poop, so it can be hard to tell if they have diarrhea. Formula-fed newborns might have one to six poops per day for the first few weeks, then around one to four after that. After 2 months, they’ll probably have one or two a day. Breastfed newborns can normally have six or more poops a day until this slows down around 2 months.

If the poop has mucus or blood in it, or if your baby shows other signs of an allergy, this could point to a milk allergy.

Read Also: How To Take Care Of Newborn Puppies Without Mother

Information On Specific Food Allergies & Elimination Diets

Elimination Diets

Various allergies

  • The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network FAANs mission is To raise public awareness, to provide advocacy and education, and to advance research on behalf of all those affected by food allergies and anaphylaxis. Tons of information here.
  • Veggies Uniteyour online vegetarian resource guide, has lots of vegan recipes very useful if you are avoiding dairy, eggs, etc.

Cows milk products

  • The No Milk Page. A list of links for people who must be cautious about consuming milk and milk byproducts.

Corn

  • Avoiding Corn by Ephraim Vishniac. Information on determining whether you have a corn allergy and on corn-derived ingredients that should be avoided by those with corn allergy.

Food additives

What Does It Mean

Do you suspect that your child could be #lactoseintolerant ? Or perhaps ...

Lactose is a sugar found in milk. In order for your body to break down lactose and convert it into energy, in needs an enzyme known as lactase. Lactose intolerance means that your body does not produce enough lactase, and so cannot digest lactose properly.

Lactose intolerance is not rare, but congenital intolerance is unusual in a baby. Its more likely to occur as a temporary inability to produce sufficient lactase following a severe bout of diarrhea.

Recommended Reading: How To Apply For Child Tax Credit For Newborn

Milk Intolerance In Babies And Children

6-minute read

Some babies and children have a reaction when they drink cow’s milk or formula made from cow’s milk. This could be due to 2 things: a lactose intolerance or an allergy to milk. If your child has one of these conditions, you will have to alter their diet to cut down on milk or avoid it altogether.

  • wheezing or difficulty breathing
  • they are pale and floppy or unconscious

Signs Of Lactose Intolerance

Signs of lactose intolerance include:

  • Irritability after having milk or dairy products
  • Difficulty settling while eating

If your baby is lactose intolerant, they may have these symptoms about 30 minutes to two hours after drinking breast milk, drinking cow’s milk-based formula, or eating dairy products like cheese or yogurt. Remember that it isn’t safe for babies to drink cow’s milk until they’re a year old.

If you think your child might be lactose intolerant, talk to their pediatrician.

Read Also: What To Get For Newborn Baby Gift

How To Know If Your Baby Is Lactose Intolerant

Do you think your baby may be lactose intolerant? If so, as well as a distressing time for your baby, its likely to be confusing for you. Can you still breastfeed? Should you switch to goat milk formula? Will this be forever? Relax: help is at hand. Read on for our brief guide that will answer some of your questions about lactose intolerance in babies.

How Do I Know If Breastfed Baby Is Lactose Intolerant

Are You Lactose Intolerant or Allergic to Dairy?

Diarrhoea can be a symptom of lactose intolerance in babies.

  • pain and swelling in the tummy.
  • failure to settle at feeding times, coming on and off the breast.
  • failure to gain weight.
  • bulky, frothy and watery faeces.
  • red bottom with skin worn away in places.
  • passing wind and crying when passing faeces.
  • Read Also: How To Put A Newborn Down To Sleep

    How Is Lactose Intolerance Diagnosed

    A doctor can usually tell whether you have lactose intolerance by asking questions about your symptoms. He or she may also ask that you avoid dairy products for a short time to see if your symptoms improve.

    Sometimes doctors order a hydrogen breath test or a blood sugar test to confirm the diagnosis. These simple tests check to see if you are digesting lactose normally.

    What To Do If Your Baby Is Lactose Intolerant

    If you think your baby is having digestive trouble, you should visit your GP who can help with a diagnosis. It might be that your baby is referred to a paediatric dietician for more expert care.

    If your baby is less than a year old, why not try our Baby Symptom Checker? It includes lots of helpful tips, and youll be able to print a symptom summary to show your GP.

    When lactose intolerance is suspected, you may be advised to eliminate lactose from your babys diet. You should only do this under the guidance of a healthcare professional, wholl also provide advice around how to ensure that your baby still gets all the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Calcium is one nutrient requiring special attention. That’s because the body usually gets it from foods contacting lactose. If theres insufficient calcium in the diet, this can affect normal bone development8.

    If youre breastfeeding, you should continue doing so, and your baby may need lactase drops to digest the lactose in your breast milk. Usually, the enzyme drops are mixed with a small amount of expressed breast milk in a sterile container, which you can then give to your baby from a spoon just before their feed.

    The amount of lactose in your own diet isnt related to your babys intolerance, so eliminating lactose from your diet wont make a difference here. If you think your baby may be reacting to the lactose in your breast milk, the best thing to do is seek advice and guidance from your GP.

    Also Check: How Many Oz Should A Newborn Drink

    What’s The Difference Between Milk Allergies Vs Lactose Intolerance

    With a milk allergy in infants, a babys immune system reacts negatively to the proteins in cows milk. Breastfed babies are reacting to the dairy his mother has eaten , while formula-fed babies are reacting to the cows milk proteins in the formula. In either case, a baby’s immune system sees the cows milk proteins as foreign substances.

    Milk intolerance, on the other hand, has nothing to do with cows milk proteins or the immune system, and instead has to do with the digestive system. Your child might have loose stools or blood in stool hours or days later.

    Congenital lactose intolerance is an extremely rare metabolic condition that also impacts the digestive system. Lactose intolerance more commonly develops in older kids and adults. The few babies with lactose intolerance will usually fare much better on a formula with little or no lactose.

    • Irritability, crying or other colic symptoms
    • Failure to thrive and gain weight

    How To Know If My Newborn Is Lactose Intolerant

    Baby nearly died after

    What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance in babies?

    • check Bloated Tummy, gastric pain, and flatulence- caused by the trapped air inside the tummy
    • check Diarrhea- wet and frequent pass of poo that usually comes with tummy ache
    • check Fussy mood- makes it difficult for baby to settle down
    • check Frequent Crying- due to the pain and discomfort.
    • check Nausea or vomiting

    What are the signs and symptoms of being lactose intolerant? Lactose intolerance symptoms. The most definitive symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, gas, watery and odd-smelling stools , and even abdominal pain in some cases. How bad your symptoms are depends on how much dairy you have consumed and how much of a tolerance you have for lactose.

    Can babies grow out of lactose intolerance? This is quite common in young babies and fortunately they usually grow out of it. There isnt an exact figure for true lactose intolerance in babies but its very rare.

    What are the dangers of lactose intolerance? Research shows lactose intolerant individuals have a higher health risk for osteoporosis, weak bone density, hypertension and several caners such as breast and colon cancer.

    Can lactose intolerant babies put on weight? Sometimes when a baby has a lactose intolerance they dont gain enough weight . Since the lactose intolerance can cause vomiting and diarrhea, this can sometimes contribute to poor weight gain in a baby. Lactose intolerance can also sometimes lead to rashes on the skin or frequent colds.

    Don’t Miss: How To Put Newborn To Sleep At Night

    Suggested By Cleveland Clinic

    Lactoseintolerance can develop in three different ways:

    Acquired lactose intolerance

    Lactase activity in the small intestine naturally declines after infancy. The National Institutes of Health estimates that as many as two-thirds of people arent able to fully digest lactose beyond childhood.

    Primary lactase deficiency

    Rarely, babies are born with a complete absence of the lactase enzyme. These babies develop severe diarrhea while on breast milk, forcing them to require special formulas. This is a recessive trait, so the baby must acquire one abnormal gene from each parent to have the symptoms.

    Secondary lactose intolerance

    Someone can develop a temporary intolerance after an infection that causes irritation of the digestive tract, such as rotavirus or giardiasis. Patients often first have nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, then continue to have diarrhea when consuming lactose-containing foods for some time after the infection has cleared.

    Celiac disease, a digestive disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is ingested, can also be associated with temporary lactose intolerance. Those with celiac disease can tolerate lactose-containing foods once the intestinal lining heals after going on a strict gluten-free diet. Crohns disease, an inflammatory disorder of the bowel, also can be associated with lactose intolerance. This often improves once adequate treatment is in place.

    Related Posts

    Popular Articles