Lactose intolerance in babies
Lactose intolerance is different from allergy and can occur in babies, although they can continue to eat a diet suitable for them.
An intolerance is that the digestive system does not digest a food properly . There are intolerances of different types and normally each person has a few of them, however, on many occasions they do not even know them. They simply feel an upset stomach or suffer from gas for example.
It is important to distinguish between intolerance and allergy . With the latter, the immune system is also involved and not only the digestive system. Therefore with an intolerance you will simply feel bad but allergic reactions such as swelling or hives on different parts of the body will not occur .
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WHAT IS LACTOSE?
Lactose is a sugar found in the milk of cows, goats, sheep, and breast milk. Therefore, it can also be found in products that are made with that milk. To digest lactose, the body produces lactose. Therefore if our system does not produce enough lactase and we consume lactose we will suffer this intolerance.
Babies, like anyone else, can also be lactose intolerant . However, the only way they have to communicate it is through their body. Therefore, it is important to take into account these symptoms that can tell us that our baby is lactose intolerant. However, it is not common to see lactose intolerance in children who are too young. This is because it usually appears after two years of age. For this reason, in the first months there are usually no problems with breast milk or with the subsequent bottle. In any case, it is possible for a month-old baby to suffer from this intolerance.
SYMPTOMS OF LACTOSE INTOLERANCE IN BABIES
To begin with, babies who suffer from this intolerance usually have complicated digestions, this can be seen, for example, in that they will have numerous gases . This is very uncomfortable and somewhat painful for them so maybe it is one of the reasons why they cry and you did not know what it was. You will see this because they have a bulging and quite hard abdomen. It is also common to expel these gases with continuous flatulence . If you see that your baby does it too much, perhaps you should start to worry a little and think about what may be happening to him.
It is less normal but it also happens, especially if the intolerance is greater, that these babies can end up vomiting constantly. It can also happen that they gain weight irregularly . Another of the symptoms that can be observed is that they suffer frequent diarrhea . Therefore, if you have observed these symptoms in your child, think that the reason may be lactose intolerance.
TREATMENT OF LACTOSE INTOLERANCE
The first thing you should do once you think it may happen is to stop breastfeeding if you do. As we have discussed, breast milk contains lactose. So instead of this try to give him the bottle and with milks that do not contain this food. If you already give him the bottle, simply change the milk for another without lactose.
Likewise, the second step to follow when you suspect that your baby suffers from this intolerance is to go to the pediatrician to perform the test that will tell you with total security . If it is confirmed that your body does not tolerate lactose then it will offer you a diet that is free of this food.
Dairy products are essential for children of growing age, so they should continue taking it. However, they will only consume dairy products that do not contain lactose . Today, because this intolerance is so common, many foods are made lactose-free.
And the only solution to this disease is for your child to start a lactose-free diet. If your baby is small, he should take the bottle with a special lactose-free milk and if he is somewhat older there are currently also numerous baby foods without this component. Make sure on the labeling of these products that you read the words lactose-free. Even so, if you take something that contains it at any time, it is not to worry too much , it will only make your stomach sick.
In any case, since it is an intolerance and not an allergy, your child may consume lactose in small doses . Cow’s milk almost certainly not but maybe you can have butter or some yogurt from time to time. As much as your body’s lactase allows. Go to the pediatrician with some constancy to check that your child does not have too low calcium . If so, this one will recommend some supplements.
So by following these tips, your child will stop suffering from discomfort and can lead a completely normal life. As we have explained, it is a very common condition so you should not worry if your child manifests it. You simply have to take care that he has a correct diet for what his body will tolerate.
Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.