How do I explain lactose intolerance to her?

GinandTonic

My 3-year-old DD is pretty obviously lactose intolerant.  It started about about 4 months when her stools got green and mucousy out of the blue.  The pedi didn't take it too seriously, but I switched her to Gentlease formula and she did fine.  When I intro'd table food, she had the same problems - also with eggs (even in pasta).  When I transitioned her to milk, I put her on Lactaid and she did fine.  Once I took away bottles - after 1 sometime - she decided she didn't like milk and to this day doesn't drink it (even with chocolate or strawberry in it - I've tried).

Eventually, she started to be able to eat dairy and on the surface is fine.  But, she definitely has a threshold where it bothers her.  We had pizza last night and she woke up at 5:30 this morning with a belly ache.  She didn't poop, just gas.  But, I bet when she does, it's gross.  It's happened before - mac and cheese at daycare for lunch and then ice cream at night (it almost always happens with ice cream no matter what).

At this point, I don't really restrict her (although I do pay attention to what she's had for lunch and try to moderate the rest of the day based on that).  I can't really explain it to her.  She doesn't get that the pizza she had the night before is going to give her a belly ache in the morning.  I almost feel like she's going to have to figure it out for herself and make her own choices as she gets older.

Any suggestions?

magdusia

Did you ever test her for allergies?  Only b/c when she's reacting to eggs like that and eggs are not dairy, that it may be an issue with allergies also (??).. the cheese thing does sound like an intolerance, but eggs makes me wonder.

I think every time she's in pain from eating ABC you need to tell her that she shouldn't eat ABC anymore b/c it will hurt.  Eventually she'll get it.