lactose intolerance

Cathy - posted on 01/11/2010

My son is not lactose intolerant, but milk protein ontolerant as well as an allergy to celery, onion and garlic! We use NEOCATE milk from the GP and see the paed at the hossie often. I cook him the same as everyone else, just avoiding those foods

Amy - posted on 01/10/2010

I am lactose intolerant. People that are lactose intolerant generally make some lactase enzyme but not enough. Milk is by far the most upsetting of the dairy foods. Lactaid milk is an absolute must for me. If you are in pinch and cannot get Lactaid milk, then whole milk is less upsetting than skim milk and don't drink it on an empty stomach. The fat makes whole milk digest more slowly and slower digested foods will be better tolerated. Slices of cheese wrapped in plastic are very upsetting to the stomach, since this is actually unfermented milk products as well. M&Ms, Hershey kisses, foods extremely high in butter (like many bakery cookies), and some kinds of ice cream are somewhat of a problem but still worth eating for me. Of course, no 18 month old needs this junk. When he gets older, you will probably see how all the sweet foods like chocolate and cookies are much better tolerated on a full stomach than an empty stomach. My sweet tooth needs to immediately follow big meals and then I'm just fine. The slower digestion is the thing that prevents the problem, because he will still have some lactase enzyme in his body, just not enough. I don't have any problem with yogurt, sorbet, expensive chocolate bars like you would get at Whole Foods, and blocks of cheese like cheddar, swiss, etc. unless I have a totally empty stomach and eat an unusually large amount of one of these foods. Pizza is sometimes somewhat of a problem and sometimes not a problem. My sense is that the junkier and cheesier the pizza, the worse it is tolerated. Flatbread pizzas with a little cheese are better.

Just don't give him a huge serving of anything questionable on the first try and you'll know soon enough what gives him issues. He'll get some gas for mild intolerance and loose stools for a food that is an actual problem. Then the foods that cause mild intolerance you can just eat in moderation on a full stomach.

Rachel - posted on 01/10/2010

My son has a milk intolerance. He can eat most anything with dairy, just not straight cow's milk. We give him Almond milk as an alternative and he loves it. Mostly cow's milk would upset his stomach and give him loose stool and major diaper rashes. Once in awhile he would have a random rash on his belly. With using the Almond milk all that has gone away, except for those times he steals his brother's milk and drinks it! :) Good luck.

Rachel - posted on 01/10/2010

My son has a milk intolerance. He can eat most anything with dairy, just not straight cow's milk. We give him Almond milk as an alternative and he loves it. Mostly cow's milk would upset his stomach and give him loose stool and major diaper rashes. Once in awhile he would have a random rash on his belly. With using the Almond milk all that has gone away, except for those times he steals his brother's milk and drinks it! :) Good luck.