How do you know if they are lactose intolerant?

mrsmikey · January 2009

Eli has diarrhea ALL the time. We used to deal with constipation when he was little, but after starting solids it went away. But then we started thickening his milk, and the diarrhea started. That was also about the same time we switched to milk. So I've been thinking it's the thickener causing it, because I really think it started with that right away, when we were just starting the milk transition. But now I'm second guessing myself and wondering if it is milk. I can't stop the thickener to see what happens. So I'm not sure if I should try formula again and see if it stops or try soy milk. But we tried soy formula once and it gave him diarrhea, so I'm scared to do that. When he was on formula he had the gentle or sensitive kind, and I know those have less lactose, but they're not lactose free. The nurse said thickener usually causes constipation, not diarrhea.

Are there any other signs of lactose intolerance other than diarrhea? I'm just not sure what to do. Should I try formula again or try soy milk? And how long would I need to do it to see a difference?

marryingacoach · January 2009

Does he have diarrhea or loose stools? Grady tends to have more loose than solid stools but he has a very sensitive stomach. But he only has one bm a day normally at the same time. It was determined yesterday at his pedi appt. that his reflux has come back and we need to give him something for it. I looked up lactose intolerance with children when I was trying to figure out what was going on with him and from what I read it is very hard to determine if that is it. The only true way to do so is eliminate those products from his diet. I don't think I'd go back to formula. Have you tried organic milk? I might start there, then soy milk.

mrsmikey · January 2009

I guess the difference is how often he goes? Because he goes 3 or 4 times a day, and it's very loose, sometimes watery. Before he went maybe once a day, and it was very firm.

I might try organic milk and see if that helps. And like I said, when we tried soy formula before that made things even worse. So I'm afraid to try soy milk. I mean, if he has a lactose sensitivity and and soy sensitivity, what can he drink? I really think it's the thickener, but it's not optional, so I guess we all have to suffer.

kateland3 · January 2009

poor eli :-(

if it were lactose intolerance, he would probably be bloated and pretty gassy as well. lactose intolerance causes intestinal discomfort along with the diarrhea.

side note: every time i write diarrhea, i spell it wrong the first time. every.single.time. it drives me crazy because i'm usually a good speller!

unc00ref · January 2009

kateland3:

if it were lactose intolerance, he would probably be bloated and pretty gassy as well. lactose intolerance causes intestinal discomfort along with the diarrhea.

This is just what I was going to mention...the gassy and pain. I used to be lactose intolerant as well and had stomach cramping to go with the loose/watery stools. I'm not sure how you would determine in babies who need the milk because it's usually diagnosed by cutting out the milk products.

Good luck!

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