Sometimes lactose
intolerance is mistaken with food allergy in babies. Therefore, parents of
babies must understand what lactose intolerance in infants exactly is. Read on to
find more about the causes and symptoms of lactose intolerance in infants and
what parents should do when they observe the symptoms.
Before starting it is vital to know what exactly lactose
intolerance is. Lactose is a type of sugar that is actually found in milk and
other dairy products in different proportions. Lactose intolerance is found in
some infants and they are unable to digest lactose. It is a matter of deep
concern as this is the major source of energy for infants especially in their first
few months.
Milk is very essential for healthy
bones as well as nerve tissues. So, babies suffering from lactose intolerance
have frequent watery stools and the child gets deprived of the major source of
energy. When the child is deprived of energy, the energy is provided to him by the
stored fats of the body and the result is weight loss.
Causes of Lactose
Intolerance in Infants
Here are the common causes of lactose intolerance in
infants.
- Lactose
intolerance happens in the lack of the enzyme that helps the body to
absorb foods. This enzyme helps babies digest milk and that also includes breast
milk.
- Lactose
intolerance is found mostly in premature babies. Some babies who are born
normal show the symptoms usually when they are 3 years old.
- Lactose
intolerance can develop in any age. In cesarean babies it is usually after
2 or 5 years.
- Lactose
intolerance is common in adults and there is not much harm due to this.
- Infection
in the small intestine can also be one of the reasons behind lactose
intolerance.
- There
is a difference between milk allergy and lactose intolerance and this
should be understood when treating an infant.
- Lactose
intolerance is seen when the infant is born with no specific enzyme that
helps digest milk.
Symptoms of Lactose
Intolerance in Infants
- Irritability and Uneasiness
One or more of the above mentioned symptoms are common in
infants suffering from lactose intolerance. Sometimes this is confused with any
other kind of food allergy and so it becomes difficult to learn what exactly
the matter is. So, the first thing that the mother or the doctor has to do is
carry on some tests to learn whether it is lactose intolerance or something
else.
However, many babies have this problem and they carry on
with other developments without much difficulty. So, unless the weight and
development of the infant does not get hampered, there is not much to worry.
Sometimes, when babies fed on formula milk are not treated hygienically, they
suffer from different types of problems and might show the same symptoms to
confuse the mother.
Once it is proved that your child is suffering from lactose intolerance,
you should immediately take the advice of the pediatrician. He might advice you
to offer lactose free formula milk or guide you in some other way that is best
suitable for your child and his proper growth and development.
One of the most important things that you should keep
in mind is that you need to sooth and comfort your child when he shows the
symptoms of lactose intolerance. Sometimes, it is observed that by changing the
brand of formula milk or avoiding cow’s
milk also helps stop the symptoms in infants. However, infants with severe
lactose intolerance are kept on lactose free formula milk.
