Signs of lactose intolerance in babies often involve digestive upset after milk feeds, like bloating, gas, diarrhoea (watery/frothy), stomach pain, fussiness, and sometimes a sore bottom (nappy rash), along with potential poor weight gain, appearing as irritability, arching back, or pulling knees up during/after feeds. Crucially, it's less common in infants and often confused with cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA), so see a doctor for proper diagnosis, especially if blood or mucus is in the stool.
If your child is lactose intolerant, your child may have unpleasant symptoms after eating or drinking milk products. These symptoms include bloating, diarrhea, and gas. Lactose intolerance is different from having a food allergy to milk.
Loose Poop
Your baby may experience frequent watery, foul-smelling loose poops if they have a cow's milk protein allergy. You may also notice mucus in the stool, and your little one may be gassy and colicky. Babies with diarrhea may quickly become dehydrated, so calling your doctor is recommended.
Babies with a milk allergy often show their first symptoms days to weeks after they first get cow milk-based formula. Breastfed infants can show symptoms when their mother has had milk products. People of any age can have a milk allergy, but it's more common in young children.
CMA is one of the most common allergies seen in infants in Australia and New Zealand, with a prevalence of more than 2% (1/50) and usually develops within the first year of life. Primary lactose intolerance does not usually manifest clinically before 5 years of age.
Usually cutting out lactose-containing milk and dairy products from the diet for 8 weeks will give the gut time to heal. The ability of the gut to produce lactase will build up again and after 8 weeks, the child should be able to drink milk/ formula and eat regular dairy products.
Lactose overload can cause:
If your baby is experiencing constipation, diarrhoea, excessive wind or tummy pain, this could be a sign that the infant formula milk you're using doesn't agree with your baby's digestive system. Have a word with your healthcare professional for further advice.
Lactose intolerance is the reduced ability to digest milk sugars, due to insufficient amounts of the gut enzyme called lactase. Breastfed babies can be lactose intolerant, because lactose is found in breast milk as well as baby formula.
Cow's milk protein can stay in mom's body for 1 ½ to 2 weeks, and then it may be another 1 ½ to 2 weeks for the protein to get out of the baby's system. Fussiness is one of the most common symptoms of a food sensitivity or intolerance.
Primary (caused by diminishing lactase production in your small intestine). Secondary (caused by injury or disease that damages your small intestine). Congenital (caused by lactase deficiency present at birth). Developmental (caused by premature birth, when the small intestine is underdeveloped).
Fortunately, there are two nutritionally complete† options from the makers of Similac® that may help reduce fussiness and gas due to lactose intolerance. Similac® Sensitive® Lactose Sensitivity is a milk-based formula designed for babies with lactose intolerance.
Common Foods to Avoid if Lactose Intolerant
Common symptoms include:
Signs and symptoms of milk allergies
If your child is allergic to the protein in cow's milk, it may cause symptoms in multiple areas of the body, including: Skin: Hives (red, blotchy skin that can itch) and may include mild to severe swelling. Lungs: Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing.
Make sure your child avoids all foods made with ingredients that contain lactose. To find out whether a food has lactose: • Check ingredients. Avoid foods made with butter, cream, milk, milk solids, or whey. Also avoid products when ingredients list states, “May contain milk.”
Evidence-Based Answer. Infants with Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who do not respond to Protein Pump Inhibitor (PPI) therapy may have resolution of symptoms following elimination of cow milk protein from breastfeeding mothers' diet (SOR: C, small cohort study).
Signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance in babies
Diarrhoea or constipation. Being unsettled at feeding times, coming on and off the breast. Frequent crying. Loose, watery faeces (may be green/yellow in colour)
You'll know if your breast milk is upsetting baby if they are unusually gassy or fussy after eating. As you and your baby get acclimated to breastfeeding, you'll learn what not to eat while breastfeeding if your baby reacts to a certain food or drink.
She also recommends the 5:5:5 rule, which can be a quick lifesaver for moms to reference. "Something I recommend to moms is the 5-5-5 rule," Pawlowski says. "Try and use milk within five hours at room temperature, five days if in the refrigerator, and five months if in the freezer."
Milk Allergy Testing & Diagnosis
They recommend that parents hold crying infants and walk with them for 5 min, followed by sitting and holding infants for another 5-8 min before putting them to bed.
Storage of milk depends on the temperature. Many people like to think of the rule of 4's: 4 hours at room temperature; 4 days in the refrigerator; 4 months in a refrigerator freezer with a separate door.
When fed too much, a baby may also swallow air. This can produce gas, increase discomfort in the belly, and lead to crying. An overfed baby also may spit up more than usual and have loose stools. Although crying from discomfort is not colic, it can make crying more frequent and more intense in an already colicky baby.
Signs of dehydration in a baby may include: