Because breast milk can provide an excellent nutritional source for your developing baby, most physicians recommend breast milk as the primary source of food for your baby; however, there are some instances in which breast milk might not be best for your baby. These include lactose intolerance, in which your baby lacks an enzyme to digest breast milk.
Significance
Lactose intolerance occurs when your baby is unable to digest lactose, a sugar naturally present in milk, according to Kids Health. Lactose intolerance is not to be confused with a milk allergy, in which your baby’s growing immune system confuses milk with a harmful or hurtful substance, causing reactions such as rash, stomach upset and trouble breathing. While a milk allergy is more common in babies, it is possible for a baby to experience lactose intolerance, particularly in premature babies.
Symptoms
While symptoms of lactose intolerance can vary in babies, general symptoms include diarrhea, cramping, bloating and gas, according to BabyCenter. These typically occur about 30 minutes to two hours after breastfeeding or consuming foods that have dairy products in them, although your baby should not consume cow’s milk until at least his first birthday.
Long-Term Lactose Intolerance
A baby with lactose intolerance is not be able to tolerate breast milk, cow’s milk or products made with cow’s milk. If you continue to breastfeed your lactose intolerant baby, she can experience gas, bloating and nausea. This is a long-term concern because your baby might begin to refuse to eat for fear of upsetting her stomach, which can lead to malnutrition. If your baby refuses to eat or is not gaining weight normally, talk to your child's physician. While you always should speak to her physician concerning treatments, your physician will likely recommend using a lactose-free formula for your baby.
Short-Term Lactose Intolerance
Your baby can develop a short-term case of lactose intolerance if she has a severe case of diarrhea, according to Alan Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P. This is because diarrhea can cause babies to temporarily lose enzymes including lactase, which is responsible for digesting lactose. Until your baby's body has time to produce more lactase, your baby might experience symptoms of lactose intolerance. This typically lasts one to two weeks, so during this time you might want to feed your child a lactose-free formula instead of breast milk. Once your baby has recovered from the illness, your physician can give you the OK to resume breastfeeding.
References
- KellyMom; Dairy and Other Food Sensitivities in Breastfed Babies; June 2011
- Breastfeeding.com; How Do I Know If My Breastfed Baby Is Lactose Intolerant?; Erin van Vurren; July 2010
- DrGreene.com; Lactose-Free Milk; Alan Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P.; November 2008
- BabyCenter: Lactose Intolerance
- Kids Health; About Milk Allergy; November 2008
