Milk allergy and lactose intolerance
It’s thought that 2-3 percent of babies have a milk allergy and while most will grow out of it by around three years, it can pose problems in terms of feeding and ensuring that your child receives a diet that provides all the nutrients he needs.
Milk allergies are different from lactose intolerance – an allergy is an immune reaction, whereas lactose intolerance stems from an inability to digest a sugar contained in milk. It’s very rare for a baby to be lactose intolerant, but older children can be.
How can I tell if my child has a milk allergy?
The symptoms of milk allergy will vary, but can include anything from eczema and diarrheoa to wheezing and constipation. It usually becomes apparent once your baby is weaned off breast milk and onto a cow’s milk-based formula feed, but even breastfed babies can exhibit symptoms if their mother eats a dairy-rich diet. If you suspect that your child may be allergic to cow’s milk, consult your doctor.
How is it treated?
If you’re breastfeeding and your baby develops a milk allergy, you’ll need to cut down the amount of dairy you consume. Make sure you get enough calcium from other sources, such as leafy green vegetables, fortified fruit juice and bread, and canned fish (you’ll need to eat the soft bones).
If your baby is formula fed you pediatrician may recommend that you switch him to a soy-based formula. If this doesn’t solve the problem, special hypoallergenic formulas are available in which proteins are broken down to make them less likely to trigger an allergic reaction. Keep in mind that soy-based formula can have a high sugar content and ask your pediatrician to carefully monitor your baby’s weight gain.
It’s likely you’ll be able to gradually reintroduce dairy to your child’s diet after he turns one. In the meantime, a nutritionist can advise you on how to ensure your child’s diet doesn’t lack vital nutrients which he’d usually get from cows’ milk, such as protein, phosphorous and vitamin D.
How can I tell if my child is lactose intolerant?
This is the inability to digest a sugar called lactose, that’s contained in milk and diary products. Lactose is broken down in the body by an enzyme called lactase but if you don’t produce enough of this enzyme your body can’t digest lactose and it remains in your digestive system, causing bloating, gas, stomach cramps and diarrhea.
Lactose intolerance is unusual in babies but your pediatrician may suggest restricting milk and dairy for a week or so to see if your baby’s symptoms clear up. In an older child, there are simple tests that can diagnose the condition.
How is it treated?
If your child does have lactose intolerance, you’ll need to cut right back on the amount of milk and dairy he consumes; although he may be able to tolerate a small amount as long as he eats it with foods that are low in lactose. Lactose is found in less obvious foods, including some breakfast cereals, soups, salad dressings and deli meats. The law requires that milk in any form be listed on labels so get used to reading them – look out for whey, curds, milk byproducts, dry milk solids and nonfat dry milk powder.
Consult your pediatrician or a nutritionist on how best to cut down on the amount of milk in your child’s diet and which dairy products are easiest to digest, so that your child can continue to benefit from the nutrients in dairy foods. Keep in mind too that certain cheeses and live yogurt are easier to digest than others, and your child may be able to manage these without developing any symptoms.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 02/08/2007
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