Lactose Intolerance in Babies
By Jaromto Twinds
Milk (lactose) intolerance is quite a widespread health problem, which develops when enzymes responsible for lactose digestion are missing or do not function well. Lactose is generally found in milk products and that is why people who suffer from this condition face gastrointestinal problems (abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, gas etc.) after consuming these foods.
It is generally not easy to spot this condition in babies, because some of the above mentioned symptoms may be quite common for infants. Thus, babies may feel unwell in case of overeating and develop diarrhea for a certain period of time. That is why it always takes time to analyze all the symptoms and diagnose a baby with this disease. An infant may be diagnosed with this condition if it feels irritated, uncomfortable, bloated, hungry and has watery or pasty stools each time after consuming lactose-containing products.
According to the research published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, kids under 3 years old do not develop lactose intolerance often. If they do, their parents should feed them with alternative products that do not contain lactose to prevent discomfort and potential health complications. The diet should be chosen with regard to the severity of the disease. In most cases, doctors recommend to consume soy-based milk, because this product contains calcium, which is essential for babies. They need it to develop strong bones and teeth. You can also use almond or rice milk if your baby is allergic to soy.
There is something you can do to prevent the above mentioned symptoms from developing in your lactose-intolerant baby. Apart from feeding your son or daughter with lactose-free products, it is highly recommended to limit the number of feeds. Thus, it is desirable to feed your baby every 4 hours. Do not overfeed your kid as well. Otherwise, it may result in worsening of the symptoms. Some kids who cannot digest lactose properly, can consume a small amount of milk products without developing any severe symptoms. Others, however, experience discomfort after a small dose of such foods. So, it is better to trace the way your baby feels and behaves in such situations and report the results to your doctor.
Lactose intolerance in kids is often reported to be the result of bowel surgeries, intake of antibiotics, food allergies, upset stomach, Celiac and Crohn’s diseases etc. If this disease has developed in the result of any of these problems, then it is referred to as reversible or temporary. However, it is often not possible to define the exact cause of this health problem. So, if you have any concerns related to your baby’s health condition, then do not hesitate and seek the advice of your pediatrician. In case the symptoms are untreated, it may lead to the worsening of your kid’s health.
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