Lactaid while pregnant?

roxi9020

Wanted to see if anyone here has dealt with this... My husband is lactose intolerant, I am not. But to accommodate him we buy only Lactaid milk so we are not buying two kinds. So that's what I drink. Tonight I was wondering if me not drinking regular milk will increase the chances that baby is lactose intolerant? Since he or she won't be exposed to much lactose while in utero? I am wondering if I should switch back to regular milk while preg/breast feeding. Have any of you discussed this with your OBs or read anything? Thanks!

akb1125

My doctor said it was fine to drink Lactaid.

ring_pop

I'm pretty sure that's not how it works.

It's actually quite unusual for a baby to be born lactose intolerant, because breastmilk has lactose in it. There are various factors that determine whether lactose intolerance develops later in life but I think that it's currently believed that it's probably genetic. I don't think that exposure in utero has much effect.

benevolentforce

I'm dairy intolerant, and don't eat dairy.  If my baby can't have dairy either - it will be from my genes, not from my diet.  The same will be true for your baby - if s/he's dairy intolerant, it will be from your DH's genes, not your diet while PG.  Now, once you're breastfeeding, you may need to be careful if you eat dairy and your baby is dairy intolerant - but again, the baby won't be dairy intolerant because of what you eat.  The baby will be either dairy tolerant or dairy intolerant, and you'll need to amend your diet accordingly.

teaforthree

I agree with all PPs.  I developed lactose intolerance as a young adult (it's mostly just milk that gives me a problem).  I started drinking Lactaid when I found out I was pregnant, after being dairy-free for quite some time.  From what I understand, a lactose intolerant person does not produce lactase (an enzyme), which is what breaks down lactose molecules (sugar) and prevents it from turning into terrible gas in the intestines.  A product like Lactaid simply has the lactase enzyme added to it - so no lactose has been "removed," it just gives you the enzyme needed to break down the lactose and prevent an issue from occurring.  It works for me, and I'm pretty sure it doesn't affect the baby at all.  The rest of my family also drinks it because I refuse to spend extra money on regular milk - milk is expensive!  Anyway, I hope that helps

futurecody

My mother is lactose intolerant, so she drank lactaid while pregnant with me and later with my brother. I came out lactose intolerant, but my brother is just fine and eats whatever dairy he wants! So jealous... So it's definitely genetic, not dietary

futurecody

Also, I came out VERY allergic to dairy at first. Poor mother had to give up all things dairy/any milk products for the whole year she breastfed me, including chocolate-- now THAT is true love! (But she was eating these same things like chocolate while pregnant with me which didn't affect me while in utero.)

benevolentforce

It's probably important to add that there are 2 types of dairy allergies/intolerances: lacking the enzyme to metabolize lactose (causes intolerance of varying degrees), and a true allergy to the protein Casein (causes allergic reaction). Baby can end up either, or both. I have both which means 100% no dairy for me (not even Lactaid).

roxi9020

Thanks for all the information, I really appreciate it!