subject: Could My Baby Be Lactose Intolerant? [print this page] Babies drink milkBabies drink milk. Fact. But unfortunately a few react badly to milk and it actually makes them ill and affects baby development.
Some babies are allergic to all dairy products, but more commonly a baby can be lactose intolerant. So what is the difference? And how can you tell if your baby is reacting to her food?
What does lactose intolerant mean?
A person is considered lactose intolerant if they can't produce enough of the enzyme lactase in their digestive tract.
Without this enzyme, lactose (the natural sugar in dairy products) cannot be digested properly.
There are different types of lactose intolerance.
Secondary lactose intolerance in babies and young children is often caused by an illness like gastroenteritis.
This infection can temporarily damage the lining of the small intestine hindering the production of the enzyme lactase.
Congenital lactase deficiency is very serious and rare and is caused by a faulty gene, passed from both parents.
A newborn baby with this condition could die without emergency treatment.
Warning signs would be dehydration and baby not gaining any weight. Often these babies become severely jaundiced. A strict lactose-free diet will need to be followed for life. Babies with a serious allergy may be monitored by a metabolic clinic to ensure it does not affect their development.
Primary lactose intolerance develops when lactase production decreases, usually because of a reduction of milk and dairy foods in the diet.
It usually runs in families and kicks in when breast or bottle-feeding has stopped.
Symptoms are tummy pains, diarrhoea, bloating and excess wind.
Your GP will help you diagnose lactose intolerance and may recommend you continue to breastfeed if it was caused by gastroenteritis, as breast milk helps heal the gut.
Bottle fed babies may be recommended a period of lactose-free formula but this must be under medical supervision so the effects on baby development can be monitored.
Cow's milk or dairy allergy
This is the over reaction of baby's immune system to one or more of the proteins found in cow's milk and milk-based products.
In some cases the allergy is so strong that if mum eats dairy products her baby reacts to the milk protein she is fed through breastfeeding.
Cow's milk-based formula will make bottle fed babies ill if they have a dairy allergy.
Many children grow out of their milk allergy but statistically they're more likely to develop other allergies later.
What are the symptoms?
For some children the effects are immediate - becoming red in the face, or developing a rash. Vomiting or diarrhoea usually follows. Severely allergic babies may also have difficulties breathing.
If the reaction is delayed diagnosis is more difficult. A GP's skin prick test or a blood test can confirm the allergy.
Do not diagnose the allergy yourself and check with your GP before changing feeds. The Department of Health does not recommend soya-based products for babies under six months so she may need a special hypoallergenic formula on prescription.
