How to Feed a Lactose Intolerant Baby

If your baby is lactose intolerant, typical symptoms will include diarrhea, stomach cramping and gas. These symptoms usually appear within an hour of the baby drinking breast milk or eating foods that contain dairy products. If your doctor has diagnosed your baby as lactose intolerant, follow these guidelines whenever you feed the child.

Instructions

1. Read the labels of foods. Any food products that contain lactose should not be given to your baby. Avoid foods with ingredients such as curds, whey, milk powders or milk by-products.

2. Check the baby's reaction to foods. Some lactose intolerant babies are able to digest a small amount of dairy products. You will have to gauge how much dairy that the baby can have without developing symptoms.

3. Give alternate sources of calcium. Since dairy products are a main source of calcium, you need to give the baby non-dairy foods that contain a lot of calcium. Fruits, green vegetables and fortified cereals are good alternatives.

4. Consider soy milk. Many parents decide to give their babies soy milk to drink in lieu of cow's milk.

5. Look for products touted as lactose free. Due to the increase in cases of lactose intolerance, manufacturers are making products that can be consumed by people that have a problem digesting dairy. Look for milks and cheeses that are lactose free and ideal to give to older babies.

6. Ask about a supplement. If you are worried about your baby's nutritional needs not being met, ask your pediatrician about giving him a dietary supplement.

Tips & Warnings

• You may need to change formulas if your baby is lactose intolerant. Enfamil and Similac both make formulas that are lactose free.

• If you are breastfeeding and your baby is lactose intolerant, you may need to eliminate cow's milk from your diet.