Signs Your Baby Is Experiencing Lactose Intolerance and What to Do About It

By: Gerelyn Terzo

There’s nobody who knows your baby better than you. But at times, it might seem like you aren’t reading the signals your newborn is sending, especially when they’re not acting like their usual self.

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There’s nobody who knows your baby better than you. But at times, it might seem like you aren’t reading the signals your newborn is sending, especially when they’re not acting like their usual self.

It could be that your baby’s discomfort stems from an ailment not especially common among infants and from which symptoms hide for a couple of weeks - lactose intolerance.   

Before you can identify lactose intolerance, it helps to understand what it is and what it’s not. While lactose intolerance and a milk allergy tend to have similar symptoms, they’re different, and the last thing you want to do is get the two conflated.    

Lactose intolerance is a digestive issue, and it occurs when your newborn can’t properly break down sugars known as lactose found in dairy products like cow’s milk. These proteins may be present in either breast milk or formula. It usually means your baby isn’t yet producing enough gut enzymes, dubbed lactase, needed to digest lactose. 

On the flip side, an allergy to cow’s milk occurs when a baby’s immune system overreacts to milk proteins. It usually surfaces in year one and manifests through symptoms like a rash or swelling. While lactose intolerance causes your baby discomfort, a milk allergy is more serious. 

Many babies who experience lactose intolerance outgrow the issue eventually. Your doctor can help you navigate the transitions. In the meantime, here are symptoms to recognize and steps you can take to manage your baby’s lactose intolerance. 

Symptoms to watch out for 

If your baby could talk, they would tell you their tummy is uncomfortable. But until they can communicate with words, you’ll need to watch for the signs. Keep in mind it could take a couple of weeks for symptoms of lactose intolerance to surface in your infant.

• If your baby is experiencing frequent diarrhea or green/loose stools, it could be a sign of lactose intolerance. 

• Another indication of lactose intolerance is irritability, a symptom that could be because of tummy cramps or bloating. 

• If your baby has excessive gas or seems to get upset right around the time for a diaper change, it could be a sign of lactose intolerance. 

• You might also find your baby becomes more fussy soon after feeding times. It might be a sign that they’re struggling to digest the milk.

Steps to take

Once you’ve determined that your baby is experiencing lactose intolerance, there are a couple of ways you can troubleshoot the issue. 

• First, if your infant is on formula, you’ll want to find a brand that has less dairy or is lactose-free altogether. 

• If you’re breastfeeding, try interchanging breast milk and lactose-free formula. 

In both cases, do this for approximately a month or two before gradually reintroducing lactose to your baby’s diet. Observe their reaction to learn if they are producing enough of those gut enzymes needed to digest dairy on their own.

Takeaway

Being a new mom isn’t easy, and it doesn’t help that the symptoms of lactose intolerance often take time to appear. It might require trial and error with different formulas.

 The good news is that lactose intolerance in babies has been known to fix itself. Be patient with yourself. Before long, your newborn will thank you with smiles throughout the day.