Milk and dairy products are common staples of many children's diets, but these foods can make some children feel sick. Children with lactose intolerance do not make enough of the enzyme necessary to help them properly digest the lactose, or sugars, in milk products. The undigested lactose stays in their intestines and can cause diarrhea, stomach pain and other digestive symptoms. Even though the condition can be uncomfortable for your child, following a lactose-free diet can improve her symptoms and help her feel better.
Identification
Your child might have lactose intolerance if she consistently experiences an upset stomach or other digestive problems about two hours after eating dairy products. If you suspect lactose intolerance, take her to the pediatrician for an evaluation. The doctor will probably ask her to stop eating dairy products for a set amount of time to see if her symptoms improve. If the doctor confirms the lactose intolerance, he can make lactose-free dietary suggestions and recommend medications that can allow your child to continue to eat dairy products.
Considerations
Most lactose intolerant children can tolerate some lactose in their diets and can follow a low lactose diet, but some lactose intolerant children develop reactions to even small amounts of dairy and need a lactose-free diet. You might try introducing small amounts of dairy to your child to see how much she can tolerate before developing symptoms. Medline Plus also recommends serving dairy along with meals since this can also improve some children's ability to digest the lactose. Keeping a food diary of your child's reactions to different foods can help you manage his diet to help him avoid foods that trigger a reaction.
Misconceptions
Avoiding milk is typically not necessary when following a lactose-free diet. You can usually buy lactose-free milk at the supermarket, which you can give to your child as a drink or use as a substitute for regular milk in your child's favorite recipes. These milks taste and look identical to regular milk except for the addition of the enzyme lactase. Your doctor might also recommend trying soy or rice milks as an alternative to regular milk.
Prevention/Solution
Helping your child follow a lactose-free diet does not just mean eliminating milk and other obvious sources of lactose from his diet. You will need to read food labels carefully and avoid foods that contain milk, milk solids, milk powder, lactose, casein, whey, cream and non-fat milk solids. Although fresh fruits and vegetables do not pose a risk to lactose intolerant children, some processed foods, such as mashed potatoes or vegetables with white sauce, contain dairy that makes them unsuitable for a lactose-free diet. Cake mixes, breakfast cereals, creamed soups, mayonnaise, cookies and other bakery items might also contain milk or milk products.
Potential
Since your lactose intolerant child will still need to get the calcium and other nutrients found in milk and milk products, the Kids Health from Nemours website suggests feeding her plenty of leafy green vegetables, tofu, juices with added calcium or lactose-free milk. Eating a varied diet with something from all of the food groups should meet her nutritional needs, but your child's doctor can recommend calcium supplements for children who need more of this nutrient.
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