Who here has a child who is lactose intolerant?

meghans30

I'm wondering if my son is. He used to LOVE milk, but lately gets sick after having something with milk and will even ask me, "is there milk in this?" I can only drink milk in small amounts, my MIL and DH are also lactose intolerant. He has had no problem drinking milk up to this point. Can the dr run some kind of test? What is the best milk substitute?

lindac1

My DH is as well as my DD.  DH has it much worse than DD, and he has to take lactaid tablets whenever he's going to have milk, ice cream, etc.  Pedi told me to give it to DD as well, but she is able to manage her issues by limiting intake because she doesn't like the lactaid tablets!.

You might want to repost this on the Food Allergy board, if you haven't already.  They're a very helpful group over there, and may have experience with this.  I know they can test for a milk allergy (DD and DS were both tested), but I don't think they can test for an intolerance. 

meghans30

lindac:

My DH is as well as my DD.  DH has it much worse than DD, and he has to take lactaid tablets whenever he's going to have milk, ice cream, etc.  Pedi told me to give it to DD as well, but she is able to manage her issues by limiting intake because she doesn't like the lactaid tablets!.

You might want to repost this on the Food Allergy board, if you haven't already.  They're a very helpful group over there, and may have experience with this.  I know they can test for a milk allergy (DD and DS were both tested), but I don't think they can test for an intolerance. 

Thank-you for the reply! I will repost.  

REOM

Both my girls can't handle dairy. Our dr said it's a problem breaking down the milk protein rather than lactose intolerance. Interestingly enough, he said that lactose intolerance is really an adult issue and very few children are actually lactose intolerant.

There are tests, but they are pretty invasive. Trial and error is better, IMO.

We substitute with soy. They drink soy milk twice a day, and occasionally eat soy yogurt or tofutti pizza. They get plenty of calcium from other foods, and dairy isn't really that healthy anyway.

meghans30

REOM:

Both my girls can't handle dairy. Our dr said it's a problem breaking down the milk protein rather than lactose intolerance. Interestingly enough, he said that lactose intolerance is really an adult issue and very few children are actually lactose intolerant.

There are tests, but they are pretty invasive. Trial and error is better, IMO.

We substitute with soy. They drink soy milk twice a day, and occasionally eat soy yogurt or tofutti pizza. They get plenty of calcium from other foods, and dairy isn't really that healthy anyway.

Have you been dealing with the allergy from birth? This is what I'm so confused about. Trevor has always loved milk, but now it bothers him? Does is come on this suddenly? My intolerance didn't hit until my late 20s. 

REOM

My girls don't have an allergy, but yes, have been intolerant since birth.

I was hoping they would outgrow it, but my 5 year old still hasn't.  She is very aware of it, and won't try anything with milk since she knows what happens if she does (immediate diarrhea).

meghans30

REOM:

My girls don't have an allergy, but yes, have been intolerant since birth.

I was hoping they would outgrow it, but my 5 year old still hasn't.  She is very aware of it, and won't try anything with milk since she knows what happens if she does (immediate diarrhea).

Interesting. Thanks for the info. I guess I'll put a call into the pedi. over break and see what they have to say. I can't bring myself to drink soy, but I do like almond milk. Maybe I can et him to drink that.  

REOM

Rice milk is good too!

My girls won't drink it b/c it's kinda watery, but I don't think it's bad.

kirbear

My dd is severely lactose intolerant. There is a test you can do. They drink a special drink and they then test their breath every 30 min for a few hours. If you are unable to digest the lactase enzyme, your breath contains higher levels of hydrogen I believe it is. I'm glad we did the test as dd didn't have your typical symptoms. Many people have issues shorty after having dairy products. My dd can be 24 hours later and lasts for days. In the past she had alternating diarrhea and constipation, now she gets diarrhea, cramps, bloating. We have tried lactaid pills and at first with them dd could tolerate some dairy but she no longer can. Dd can't have any dairy at all anymore with the exception of lactose free cheese, lactose free ice cream, and some dairy cooked in products. Breyers makes lactose free vanilla ice cream. She drinks lactaid milk or almond milk. Borden makes lactose free American cheese and a lot of Cabot cheese is lactose free. Dd also likes these little ice cream bites made out of almond milk. We have used Daiya dairy free cheese as well. Dd is also gluten free so her diet is different anyways. But def talk to dr as they may want you to eliminate all dairy and then slowly reintroduce to see what he can tolerate. I was surprised dd was lactose intolerant And did the test to "rule out" as our next step was more invasive testing and low and behold, not only lactose intol but failed big time!! Good luck and def post on food allergy too!!

ali2005jason

DD used to get constipated when drinking milk. She can still tolerate getting dairy from cheese and yogurt and other things but drinking milk seems to just bind her up. We never did any testing but we think she has a lactose sensitivity. She has been drinking almond milk for about a year with no issues. She loves the vanilla (sweetened) and I can still occasionally make it strawberry or chocolate like her brother gets (he drinks regular milk). This came on when she was about 2 1/2. If you have questions for me, let me know

ljanette85

I have cared for a few kid with dairy allergies or sensitivities... vanilla almond milk seemed to be a big favorite of theirs! It has a ton of calcium and you can buy it anywhere

shouldbworkin

REOM:

Both my girls can't handle dairy. Our dr said it's a problem breaking down the milk protein rather than lactose intolerance. Interestingly enough, he said that lactose intolerance is really an adult issue and very few children are actually lactose intolerant.

There are tests, but they are pretty invasive. Trial and error is better, IMO.

We substitute with soy. They drink soy milk twice a day, and occasionally eat soy yogurt or tofutti pizza. They get plenty of calcium from other foods, and dairy isn't really that healthy anyway.

Ditto all of this.  There is a blood test to test for milk protein intolerance, but it is not very reliable.  Most people will come back positive, but be able to tolerate normal amounts of dairy.  Milk protein intolerance is a different non-histamine reaction to the protein so it's a little different than a regular allergy.  Lactose intolerance is the inability to break down the sugars in milk.  Rare in young children, but I could see it happening in a 6 y/o.  Our allergist said to try lactaid free milk for a week to see what it did for my kids.  They couldn't tolerate the protein in it, but if you suspect a lactose problem I would start with that.  Eliminate all other dairy and just give lactaid for a week to see if things improve.  But, all in all, dairy isn't great for most people and causes them to produce excess mucous in their nasal cavities and digestive tract.