What to do for a lactose sensitive one year old?

Emily - posted on 11/30/2011

Both my kids where lactose intolerant until 2 and now they can both drink cow milk fine. They got severe diaper rash from it. I used Lactaid bc you can still get the whole high fat milk. I don't do soy milk either, I like almond milk but there isn't enough fat in it for little ones.

Caron - posted on 11/30/2011

The only substitute for lactose intolerance is goat milk. Tje soy-based formulas are not appropriate for babes because the soy is estrogen, and sets up for health problem later.

Vickie - posted on 11/30/2011

Cows milk is for cows. Goats milk is the closest to human milk. and we are the only society to continue to give our children milk after they are weaned. There really is not that much benefit as the dairy council would have you believe. We get calcium from dark green leafy vegetables. If your daughter will not eat these. Try orange juice plus calcium and rice milk or a lactose free milk. Papaya has the missing enzyme of those lactose intolerant. Those lactose intolerant will sometimes outgrow it.

Amanda - posted on 11/30/2011

I agree with Lisa, also if a child is sensative to cows milk they can also cause soy allergies. Try goats milk, or dual filtered milk/pure filtered, both are work well with my children who have a very hard time disguesting normal cows milk.

Minnie - posted on 11/30/2011

Sherri there are two big reasons why people shouldn't consume soy, doubly so for children

1. Soy is full of endocrine-disruptors- it prevents the production and function of many different hormones that are important for physical development and function of the organ systems.

2. It contains chemicals that prevent the absorption and utilization of certain minerals and nutrients.

The amount of isoflavones found in soy formula are the equivalent to an infant, by body weight, receiving three to five birth control pills each day.

Tara - posted on 11/29/2011

Try various different types of milk - many people with a lactose sensitivity can drink goat's milk, soy milk, almond milk, lactose-free milk, etc.

If she can eat other dairy foods (like cheese, ice cream, sour cream, butter, etc) then it is unlikely that she has lactose-intolerance or sensitivity. It is more likely that she is having trouble with the transition to whole milk.

What we did when switching our daughters to whole milk was up their water intake as well and, for the first few times we gave them milk, we did about 3/4 milk with 1/4 water - only had to do that for about the first week, then they were fine. Do keep in mind that whole milk can sometimes be constipating, so make sure she is getting lots of water as well.

Sherri - posted on 11/29/2011

If she was on formula than she isn't lactose intolerant as it is cow milk based. However, if not then I would try lactose free milk, soy milk or almond milk.

Have no idea why some people are against soy milk as I have never heard anything bad and it is actually strongly recommended by my dietitian???

Minnie - posted on 11/29/2011

Was she recently weaned at all?

It's highly unlikely she's lactose intolerant at her age. But she may be sensitive to bovine proteins found in cow's milk.

If you can't go back to breastfeeding or never did you can still use formula. Whatever you do though, run far, far away from anything soy-based.