What should I do if the baby is lactose intolerant?

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on September 11, 2024
00:00
00:00

If the baby is lactose intolerant and does not have frequent bowel movements and it does not affect their growth and development, then no special treatment is needed. If there is frequent diarrhea and slow weight gain, then an adjustment in diet is necessary. If there is significant acute diarrhea accompanied by dehydration, we should initially rehydrate the infant either intravenously or orally to correct the dehydration. At the same time, you can start with some lactose-free formula and, after the diarrhea stops, gradually increase the amount of breast milk or other formulas based on the child's condition. Regardless of whatever food substitute is used, the overall principle is to not decrease the nutritional needs of the child. As solid foods are introduced and breast milk or cow's milk is decreased, diarrhea will gradually cease. If diarrhea does not subside, oral lactase enzyme preparations can also be provided to supplement lactase enzyme therapy.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Dong Xian Yan
Pediatrics
38sec home-news-image

What to eat for lactose intolerance as supplementary food?

Children with lactose intolerance should avoid adding foods containing lactose when introducing solid foods. Additionally, you can make some food at home for the baby, such as cooking thin porridge, boiling noodles for the baby, mixing a lumpy soup, etc. You can also give the baby small amounts of fruits and vegetables, but they need to be cut into small pieces or juiced before feeding. The main treatment for lactose intolerance is dietary therapy, which involves avoiding foods containing lactose to effectively control and alleviate the symptoms of lactose intolerance in babies, such as milkshakes, cheese, and other dairy products which should not be fed to the baby.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Ben Rong
Pediatrics
55sec home-news-image

What kind of formula should a baby with lactose intolerance drink?

If a child is lactose intolerant, parents can go to a maternity and baby store to pick a lactose-free infant formula. Lactose intolerance is due to a deficiency or insufficient activity of lactase in the small intestinal mucosa, which results in the inability to completely digest and break down the lactose in breast milk or cow's milk. Common symptoms may include weeks of diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain. Primary lactose intolerance is usually caused by genetic factors, while secondary lactose intolerance is generally caused by gastroenteritis. When a child exhibits the aforementioned symptoms, parents need to improve the child's diet and switch to a lactose-free infant formula, which not only ensures the child's nutritional intake but also alleviates the condition of lactose intolerance. If necessary, they should visit a formal hospital for relevant examinations and treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
48sec home-news-image

How many times a day does lactose intolerance cause diarrhea?

Patients with lactose intolerance can have multiple bowel movements per day after consuming milk; a mild case can result in 3-4 bowel movements, while severe cases might lead to dozens, potentially causing dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. For lactose-intolerant patients who need to consume milk, it must be specially treated beforehand. Additionally, if diarrhea is caused by poor digestion in the gastrointestinal tract, certain medications that adjust the gut microbiota can be used to aid digestion, such as Bifidobacterium triple viable bacteria and Bacillus cereus, etc. If the diarrhea is caused by allergies, allergen testing should be conducted. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
41sec home-news-image

Symptoms of infant milk powder lactose intolerance

The symptoms of infant milk formula lactose intolerance typically manifest in the following areas: Firstly, the most direct symptom is abnormal stool in infants, which looks poorly digested with more milk curds, and this is the most common direct symptom. Secondly, the baby may experience increased gastrointestinal gas, bloating, abdominal pain, leading to restless sleep and irritability. Furthermore, the baby may exhibit a decreased appetite and varying degrees of vomiting. Of course, most cases of infant lactose intolerance occur after an intestinal viral infection, so there may also be symptoms related to viral intestinal infections.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
46sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance refers to the symptoms of diarrhea caused by the difficulty in digesting lactose in human milk or cow's milk due to a deficiency of lactase in the body, also known as lactase deficiency syndrome. It is primarily seen in infants and young children who consume milk as their main food, with the highest incidence in China among children aged seven to eight years old. In cases of lactase deficiency, it is advisable to avoid using cow's milk or human milk. Instead, soy milk or sour milk can be used as substitutes, as they do not contain lactose, thus avoiding the phenomena of lactose intolerance.