If you are lactose intolerant and you drink lactose-free milk, you should not experience bloating. Bloating after eating dairy products is related to lactose intolerance, the body's inability to properly digest a sugar found in cow's milk. If you drink lactose-free milk and experience bloating, you might have a milk protein sensitivity or a milk allergy, according to Kids Health. A milk allergy will cause bloating along with other common food-related allergy symptoms. If you experience adverse reactions after drinking lactose-free milk, talk with a doctor.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose is a sugar found in cow's milk. Most people have a certain level of difficulty digesting lactose, but only those with significant symptoms are considered lactose intolerant, according to MayoClinic.com. Bloating, stomach cramps and diarrhea are common symptoms that you could experience after drinking regular cow's milk. Avoiding milk containing lactose, buying lactose-free milk or taking a lactase supplement should alleviate most symptoms associated with lactose intolerance.
Lactose-Free Milk
Lactose-free milk adds lactase, the enzyme used to break down lactose. By adding this enzyme, people who are lactose intolerant should experience either no symptoms or only minor symptoms associated with lactose intolerance. Bloating that persists while drinking lactose-free milk can be a sign of a milk allergy.
Milk Allergy Consideration
A milk allergy is a hypersensitivity to the proteins found in cow's milk. The immune system mistakes the milk proteins as harmful substances and attempts to fight them off with antibodies and histamine, according to Kids Health. If you have a milk allergy, you will experience other symptoms along with bloating, possibly including hives, eczema, shortness of breath, vomiting, cramping, gas, diarrhea, nasal congestion and asthma.
Supplement
If you continue to experience bloating from lactose-free milk, talk to your doctor about using supplemental products in place of milk. For example, you can use soy milk, rice milk or almond milk in place of cow's milk, according to MedlinePlus. Some other dairy products might be easier to digest, such as goat's milk or buttermilk.
Calcium Consideration
If you discontinue using lactose-free milk and replace it with other non-dairy milk products, MayoClinic.com recommends adding more calcium-rich foods to your diet. These include canned salmon, broccoli, almonds, bok choy, kale, organs, rhubarb, pinto beans, tofu and spinach. Talk with your doctor before modifying your diet to treat a medical condition.
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