Some moms often ask about diarrhea and bloating as soon as our baby drinks milk, as if the body is resistant to this food. Is it because of lactose intolerance? If a baby is lactose intolerant, does that mean he or she can no longer drink milk or even consume dairy products?
What is lactose intolerance?
Babies are born with milk as their only source of food, and as they grow older, they begin to include side foods such as pureed fruits, rice and wheat flour, mashed potatoes, etc. Traditional Chinese diets do not include dairy products as a major food, and as they grow older, their intake of dairy products usually decreases, so many people become lactose intolerant.
Symptoms of lactose intolerance
When a baby becomes lactose intolerant, the most obvious symptom is diarrhea. It usually arises between 30 minutes and 2 hours after eating a food containing lactose, and there is a spasm of the small intestine, abdominal pain, bloating, abdominal rumbling, and watery diarrhea felt in the lower abdomen. The intestinal tract is also stimulated and causes rapid peristalsis, which speeds up the passage of food through the intestinal tract, resulting in rapid and massive loss of water, electrolytes, and nutrients in the body, which in the long run will cause the baby’s immune system to decline.
Lactose intolerance can be solved this way
1. Drink special formula
If your baby is born with lactase deficiency, you can drink “allergy-free milk powder” or “anti-diarrheal milk powder” under the guidance of your doctor, which is a special infant formula for infants who are allergic to milk protein or lactose and have diarrhea caused by lactose intolerance. This special formula mainly replaces the lactose in ordinary milk powder with maltodextrin or glucose polymer, and makes adjustments in protein. As these milk powders do not differ from other infant milk powders in terms of nutrition, they are special formulas that can be safely consumed by infants during the diarrhea period.
According to the characteristics of the hydrolyzed components, they can be divided into: partially hydrolyzed milk powder, for infants with mild diarrhea or allergies. Completely hydrolyzed milk powder is suitable for infants with severe diarrhea and allergies.
2. Drink small amounts several times
Each lactose intolerant person shows different reactions, some children have bloating and diarrhea with one glass of milk, while others have reactions with half a glass of milk. This means that to a certain extent milk is still tolerated. Therefore, if you divide a glass of milk into 2 drinks or take a small number of times, you can also dissolve the lactose intolerance.
3.Eating with cereals
Generally speaking, children who are lactose intolerant will have heavier symptoms when they drink milk on an empty stomach. However, in a mixed meal, the lactose concentration of milk may be “diluted” in a particular environment. The absorption of lactose can be improved by celiac action and digestive movements in the stomach and intestines. For example, allowing children to eat crackers or bread before or with milk will reduce intestinal gas and discomfort. If you drink formula, adding some cereal to eat with it is also a good way. Some milk powder, in particular, is generally processed at high temperatures and under pressure, and sucrose and other additives, such as lactase or lactic acid bacteria, are added to make lactose partially decomposed and diluted, making it easier for the intestines to absorb and use. Moreover, the lactose content in the brewed milk powder is also easy to control and more suitable for this specific group of people.
4, milk pasta mixed eat
”Milk pastry” is made of milk and pasta, then steamed, fried, baked and other different ways to make a variety of pasta, such as milk steamed buns, milk twists, milk bread, these pasta is fluffy and delicious, nutritious, is a must for breakfast.
5.Drink yogurt
Yogurt is produced by adding certain lactic acid bacteria and then fermenting it. The fermentation process breaks down 20% to 30% of the lactose in raw milk into lactic acid, protein and fat into smaller components, and minerals such as calcium, iron and zinc that are beneficial to the body are also dissociated from the larger molecules, making it easier to digest and absorb. Therefore, yogurt is most suitable for lactose intolerant people who often have bloating, abdominal chirping or even diarrhea after drinking milk.
6.Add a piece of lactase or milk powder containing lactase
The occurrence of lactose intolerance is caused by the lack of lactase in the body. If you take a piece of lactase when drinking milk, you can prevent the uncomfortable symptoms. The reason is that external aid lactase can also improve the digestion and absorption of lactose. At present, there are milk powder containing lactase on the market, so you can give it a try to your child.
Warm Tips
Lactose intolerance needs to be distinguished from milk allergy
Although their symptoms are similar, they are completely different. Lactose intolerance is a problem of the digestive system, while allergy is a problem of the immune system. Therefore, while lactose intolerance can make your baby uncomfortable, it is not life-threatening. And milk allergy is only temporary, because the baby’s digestive system is not mature, and the symptoms of milk allergy will reduce or disappear as the baby gets older. But lactose intolerance will occur again in our adult years.