Lactose intolerance, an inability to digest the milk sugar lactose, most often occurs later in life, but babies can be vulnerable to some forms of this disorder. True, permanent lactose intolerance in babies is rare, but the symptoms can be severe. Premature babies and babies who have experienced intestinal illness may develop a temporary form of lactose intolerance with symptoms that might be difficult to differentiate from other digestive problems.
Genetic Lactose Intolerance
A baby with a genetic lactose intolerance that is present from birth experiences severe symptoms that require medical attention. Because a baby with this form of lactose intolerance is unable to tolerate breast milk or cow's milk-based formula, he will likely fail to thrive. A completely lactose-intolerant baby does not gain weight and might lose a significant amount of weight over the first few weeks of life. He experiences dehydration, malnutrition, severe diarrhea and vomiting. To treat this type of lactose intolerance, the doctor will prescribe a special diet free of any animal-based milk or using milk that has the lactose removed.
Temporary Lactose Intolerance
Temporary lactose intolerance has much milder symptoms. This type of lactose intolerance is caused by intestinal damage in an infant, usually caused by infection or food allergies. A baby with a temporary lactose intolerance usually continues to gain weight and thrive, but may develop diarrhea that is frothy and green. Crying and irritability due to bloating may also occur. Parents may notice that the baby passes gas more frequently than normal.
Lactose Intolerance and Prematurity
Some premature babies are born lactose intolerant, but outgrow the condition as they near their original due date and begin producing more lactase. These babies may exhibit discomfort after being fed breast milk or cow's milk-based formulas. Doctors may prescribe a lactose-free milk to the premature infant temporarily until the baby develops the ability to tolerate lactose. Another option for mothers who want to breastfeed is to add lactase to expressed milk and feed this to the baby. Some research, such as a 1998 study in the "Journal of Pediatrics" suggests that exposure to lactose through feeding the premature infant normal breast milk will speed the baby's development of lactase activity.
Considerations
Sometimes the symptoms of what seems to be a lactose intolerance is actually something else. Cow's milk allergies, a reaction to the proteins found in milk, may present as the same symptoms as lactose intolerance. In breastfed babies, an overabundance of lactose, caused by oversupply in the mother, may also be to blame for symptoms that mimic lactose intolerance. Only careful investigation of the potential causes can ferret out whether the signs mean that your baby is truly lactose intolerant.
