What should I do if the baby is lactose intolerant?

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

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Can massage therapy adjust lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance cannot be managed through massage, and patients with lactose intolerance still need to take appropriate treatment measures to eliminate symptoms and avoid nutritional deficiencies. For primary lactase deficiency, it is advocated to reduce lactose intake, and for congenital lactase deficiency, lifelong lactose abstention is necessary. However, for patients with secondary lactose intolerance, treatment should be based on the underlying disease. For example, if Crohn's disease has caused secondary lactose intolerance, treatment with medications like mesalamine or sulfasalazine salicylate is necessary. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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What to eat when lactose intolerance causes nausea

Patients with lactose intolerance primarily show clinical symptoms related to the digestive tract such as bloating, increased bowel sounds, intestinal colic, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and more. Some patients experience reduced intestinal motility, leading to constipation, and the severity of symptoms is somewhat related to the amount of dairy products consumed. If a patient with lactose intolerance is experiencing nausea, they should eat light foods and avoid dairy products as much as possible. Patients with lactose intolerance should seek medical attention in a timely manner. When visiting a doctor, they should provide detailed medical history information to help the doctor determine the correlation between the clinical symptoms and lactose intolerance.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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What kind of milk should adults with lactose intolerance drink?

If an adult is lactose intolerant and allergic to drinking milk, they must drink milk that has undergone some special treatment. If it is not specially treated, drinking it can easily cause diarrhea. Diarrhea from drinking milk may also be due to an allergy to a component of the milk. If that is the case, it is necessary to improve allergen detection and try to avoid drinking milk. If diarrhea is caused by poor digestion in the gastrointestinal tract, some medications that regulate intestinal flora can be used for supportive treatment.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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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.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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Do infants with lactose intolerance need to switch to a different formula?

Whether to switch formula for infants with lactose intolerance should be assessed based on the specific condition of the baby. If the baby's symptoms of lactose intolerance are mild, they can be managed by adding lactase and probiotics. However, if the baby has had diarrhea for a long time, frequent bowel movements, and also shows signs of reduced urine output, decreased skin turgor, and lethargy, it indicates a more severe dysfunction in the digestive system. In this case, it is necessary to switch to lactose-free formula to prevent exacerbation of gastrointestinal dysfunction. It is also important to pay attention to the baby's food hygiene and hand hygiene in daily life, especially during the peak season of diarrhea in autumn. It is advisable to get vaccinated in advance to prevent the transmission of other digestive system diseases.