When my baby was 2 months old, she was put on sensitive formula due to fussiness, gas, and spitting up. When we went to her 9 month checkup, the doctor told us to begin putting a small amount of cows milk in her bottle at a time around 11 months to see what happens. At first it was fine, but then she started up with the gas and fussiness, and is waking up screaming at night. I discontinued the milk 2 days ago, and she seems to be happier again and sleeping all night again! She will be 1 in a week, but we don't have a well check for another 3 weeks, so I'm hoping someone has some advice or experience on this to hold me over until her appointment. Is it lactose intolerance, will it go away, how did you manage it.. anything! Any experience is appreciated! Thanks!
My daughter was the same way and we had to buy formula that cost an arm and a leg! We introduced a few dairy products here and there when she was nearing one and started milk about a month after her first birthday. It ended up being something she outgrew and now she can't get enough milk! Good luck!!
It may not be the lactose, it could be the casein, which would mean ALL dairy products should be avoided. Kids can outgrow this type of allergy, but in the meantime there are lots of alternatives.
My son was the exact same way - we had him on soy formula from starting around 3 weeks of age due to gas & fussiness. When he was about 11 mo, we started him on regular milk, but found he would have unbelievable blowouts and a ton of gas. We tried soy milk for a while, but it didn't really help much - we now use Lactaid Milk for him - it is expensive, but it has helped him a TON. when he was being potty trained, we actually took all lactose out of his diet completely - including white bread, etc etc - now that he's 5, we allow him to have small amounts of cheese, but still keep him on the Lactaid milk - we can always tell when he has too much lactose - he's in the bathroom a lot! Swiss cheese has the least amount of lactose in it, so its the safest cheese for them to eat.
Giant Eagle sells the Lactaid Milk - we buy it by the gallon, which is close to $6 for one gallon (but is cheaper than buying a half gallon at a time) - the expiration date is always pretty far away on it, and Giant Eagle will have a sale on it about every 6 weeks, where it is about $4.30 or so - the more you buy it at Giant Eagle, they will start giving you coupons for $1 off a gallon, which I use when its on sale.
hang in there - you just have to be careful what you give her, and eventually it will just become a normal part of your routine.
God Bless!
~T.
I am not sure if she is intollerant or not. My son had reflux and spit up a ton from the time he was about 3 months old until he was 1. He was breastfed but we supplemented with Soy formula since it is easier on the belly. At 9 mos. the dr. prescribed us some meds for the reflux and it was amazing...no more gas, spitting up, gas. When we switched from forumala to cow's milk at 1, we also stopped the meds, he was gasses for a week or so, then his body got used to it. It is harder for their bodies to break down the enzymes in cows milk. I know that a few of my friends give their kids Soy milk or goat's milk. It is gentler on their tummies. They are a little more pricey, but may be worth a try. If he continues to spit up, I might bring up the reflux, it is very common in babies and they make a ton of meds for it.
Both my girls ended up on soy formula. That does not mean that they will not be able to tolerate dairy in the future. It turns out my 18 yr. old has a slight dairy allergy - has to watch how much at any one time. My 12 year old is fine. I found out last year that I HAVE A DAIRY ALLERGY. That is not the same a lactose intolerance - gas-x pills only do so much for it!
My daughter (9yrs old)is also lactose intolerant. She absolutely will not go without chocolate mild. I have found a solution. There is an over the counter med that is called "Digestive Advantage Lactose Intolerance for Children". They are chewable and taste good. My daughter can chew two a day and then have all of the dairy that she wants. Also, you would be surprised how many foods that have lactose in them other than milk. It's almost impossible to delete it from their diet all together.
Good Luck
Hi, M.! It definitely sounds like lactose intolerance to me. I have a friend who had twins with the same problem. As they got closer to the age of one, she would throw a few Lactaid tablets into a gallon of milk, let it dissolve over night, and then gave the milk to her kids. She said it worked like a charm! Do you notice a problem when you give your daughter milk, yogurt or any other dairy products? If I were you, I would make a list of foods that you see make her fussy. That way, when you're at your appointment, you can refer to your list. I wish you and your daughter the best of luck!
Hi M.,
I had the same problem with my daughter. She ended up being on sensitive formula until she was about 14 months...then she switched to milk with no problem. I would discontinue the cow's milk until your next appt. I know it's difficult. Hang in there!
We have battled with milk issues with our youngest - he was really fussy, didn't sleep (would wake up screaming), constantly throwing up, etc. Finally, at 12 months, we took him to a gastroenterologist and he was diagnosed with a milk-protein allergy (we learned that lactose intolerance is rare in infants) we have since removed all dairy from his diet. He's now a happy, thriving (and sleeping) toddler.
It could be. But if I were you I would try a small amount of the regular formula with the formula she is on right now. I would try that in about a week or more and see what she does with that and what I am talking about it add one scoop of the regular forumla in with the formula she is on right now. Sometimes it takes time to get used to it. BUt if she is LI then there is LI milk and there is Soy Milk. The difference is the proteins and the sugars. So you will have to try it out and see what she reacts to. My son who is now three we went through something similiar. I think he is starting to be able to process the cow milk protiens now and we can start giving it to him. But which out for things like how she reacts to ice cream, cheese, yogurt. If she does not react to those she is probably LI. The milk is I will tell you very expensive. SO is the soy.
BUt there are lots of products out there for this.
At that age, it's probably a protein intollerance, not lactose. You can try buying lactose-free dairy products like milk and cheese, and if it doesn't make a difference it's the proteins and you just have to wait a while, most kids grow out of it by 2-years-old.
Other choices are goat's milk and goat's milk cheese. Buffalo milk (hard to find). Soy milk, almond milk, rice milk and cheeses/yogurts made from them.
Does she eat cheese and yogurt without trouble? That's a dead giveaway. They are more processed to the proteins are more broken down. It really makes sense, if you think about it. Cows milk is made for baby cows. Human milk is made for baby humans. We're the only species that weans to (or starts with in the case of formula) another specie's milk. Kinda strange when you get right down to it! lol
My child sort of had the same trouble, only he just spit up all the time. We did the soy milk, and it worked great, you might try that. Good luck!
My son also has a sensitivity to Cow's Milk. We recently switched to Hemp Milk (which I had never heard of before my pediatrician recommended it). He is doing great on it and it is good for him. For more information on Hemp Milk, check out http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/benefit...
I actually found it at our local Kroger's and it is about the same price as Soy Milk.
It may not be lactose intolerant - it might be a dairy allergy......
Unless the reflux is causing problems, extreme fussiness, failure to gain weight well, or frequent infections, it is best to stay away from meds. All meds carry side effects, some more severe than others. Unless your baby is having problems, reflux is more of laundry problem, rather than a medical problem.
R.
Whatever you do work with a doctor. A friend of mine ended up having celiac disease as a baby. So work with a doctor or nutritionist before trying anything out. ANother option would be seeing an osteopath. They can find out without any invasive procedures what is going on or direct you better. If you are in the Cleveland area there are several good ones that work with young children.
