How to Identify if a Baby is Lactose Intolerant

Is your baby allergic to this?

Although it's usually identifiable in older children and adults, sometimes a baby can be born with a sensitivity or allergy to milk. This sensitivity occurs because the baby does not produce enough of the enzyme needed to digest lactose, a component in milk. Lactose intolerance isn't life-threatening, but it can cause significant discomfort.

Instructions

1. Observe your baby after feedings of milk or dairy-based products. Lactose intolerance causes gastrointestinal problems. You may notice your baby has severe gas a half-hour to a few hours after eating, seems to have a stomachache or cramps, or experiences diarrhea.

2. If you are breast-feeding and your baby is showing symptoms of lactose intolerance, like diarrhea, remove all sources of lactose from your diet for a few weeks and see if the symptoms disappear. If they do, your child could be lactose intolerant.

3. If you are formula-feeding your baby and he shows signs of lactose intolerance, contact your pediatrician about switching from milk-based to a soy-based formula. Once you've switched, monitor your baby for improvement. If symptoms disappear, chances are he could be lactose-intolerant.

Tips & Warnings

• If your baby was born prematurely and seems lactose-intolerant, he may develop more of the enzymes needed to digest lactose within a few weeks after birth.

• Contact your pediatrician if you are concerned about your child's reaction to milk-based products.

References

• The Mayo Clinic: Lactose Intolerance