What is lactose intolerance?




What causes lactose intolerance?






What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?


Some lactose-intolerant people can consume a small amount of dairy without symptoms. Others will be uncomfortable every time they have food containing even a small amount of lactose.

Is lactose intolerance the same as a milk allergy?

No. An allergy is an immune response, while lactose intolerance is a digestive condition. The symptoms can be similar, however. Abdominal pain or diarrhea after consuming milk products could be caused by a milk allergy or by lactose intolerance, for example.

If your baby develops a dry, itchy rash or itching and swelling of the face, lips, or mouth whenever he has dairy products — or symptoms such as hives, watery eyes, or a runny nose — he may be allergic to one of the proteins in cow's milk.

How will I know for sure if my baby is lactose intolerant?

Again, it's very unlikely that your baby is showing signs of lactose intolerance at this age, but talk with his doctor. She'll ask about your baby's symptoms to help determine whether it's a possibility. She may suggest that you eliminate all sources of lactose from your baby's diet for a couple of weeks to see whether his symptoms subside.

Can lactose intolerance be treated or prevented?

No, but there are things you can do to help your baby if he's lactose intolerant.

Read labels. You'll want to avoid dairy products and all other foods that contain lactose. Some seemingly innocuous foods contain milk products: pancake and cookie mixes, breakfast cereals, instant potatoes and soups, margarine, salad dressings, breads, and lunch meats. Check food labels for ingredients such as whey, curds, milk byproducts, dry milk solids, and nonfat dry milk powder.

Thanks to recent legislation, products containing milk ingredients (or other common allergens) must be clearly labeled as such. This should make your task much easier.

Watch how your baby reacts. Some people who are lactose intolerant can digest small amounts of lactose, while others are very sensitive to the tiniest quantities. You'll probably learn through trial and error how much of which dairy foods your baby can handle.

Some cheeses have less lactose than others, for example, so they may be easier to digest. And live-culture yogurt is generally easier to digest than milk and other dairy products because the healthy bacteria in it helps produce lactase.

If your baby is very sensitive, you'll want to avoid all sources of lactose. If not, you may be able to give him small amounts of selected dairy foods. He may find it easier to tolerate dairy products if he eats them along with other foods.

Make sure all of your baby's nutritional needs are being met. If you find that you need to eliminate dairy products from your baby's diet as he grows, you'll want to be sure that he has other sources of calcium, which helps bones and teeth grow strong. Nondairy sources of calcium include leafy greens, fortified juices and soy milk, tofu, broccoli, canned salmon, oranges, and fortified breads.

Other nutrients to be concerned about are vitamins A and D, riboflavin, and phosphorus. See our article on food sources of various nutrients for suggestions on how your child can get the nutrients he needs from nondairy sources. You might also find it helpful to consult a dietitian.

Lactose-free dairy products are now available in many grocery stores. They have all the nutrients of regular dairy products without the lactose.

And finally, if you find that it's difficult to get your baby all the nutrition he needs without dairy products, talk with his doctor about whether your baby might benefit from taking supplements.