BABY
It is a Myth That Lactose Intolerance in Babies Causes Colic
Lactose intolerance in adults is quite common...why wouldn't it aggravate infants?
Written by
Dr. Harvey Karp
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BABY
Written by
Dr. Harvey Karp
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It is not surprising that some parents wonder if lactose intolerance in babies causes colic, or persistent crying. After all, lactose intolerance in adults is quite common...why wouldn't it aggravate infants?
Think about it: If it did, there would be no ‘witching hour.’ Lactose consumption is pretty steady throughout the day, but colicky fussing tends to peak in the evening. But allow me to explain how this theory got started, and why it is a myth.
The lactose your baby eats is digested by the enzyme lactase in the intestine. With age, adults have less and less lactase. This makes some of us lactose intolerant causing bloating, bellyache and diarrhea after eating dairy products. This adult problem led some medical professionals to speculate that colicky babies might be suffering from stomach pain from lactose intolerance.
Soon, the markets were flooded with lactose-free formulas (soy, lactose-free cow’s milk, and special hypoallergenic milk) and special lactase-containing colic drops…all claiming to be a cure for colic and lactose sensitivity in babies. But this multimillion-dollar promotion was based on hype not health. A Canadian study showed no improvement from lactose-free formula in colicky babies. And an Australian study found no reduction in crying when fussy infants were given lactase in their mother’s milk.
Can babies digest lactose? In most cases, yes. Lactose literally means ‘milk sugar.’ Unlike regular table sugar (sucrose) or high-fructose corn syrup, lactose is very good for infants because it improves health three different ways:
While lactose intolerance in babies is rare, it can still occur. Lactose intolerance in babies stems from two causes:
If you have concerns that your baby has lactose intolerance, contact your paediatrician.
Keep in mind that a breast milk allergy differs from lactose intolerance, and may not be diagnosed by a lactose intolerance test. To learn more, read our article on milk allergies in babies.
Common symptoms of lactose intolerance in babies include:
These signs of lactose intolerance will be more or less frequent depending on the amount of lactose consumed by your baby. Since these symptoms are very common in newborn babies and infants, we recommend checking with your paediatrician for an accurate evaluation.
[Read More: Baby Poo Guide]
For colicky babies, try the 5 S’s and other tips in our Happiest Baby on the Block video to calm your baby fast and help promote longer and healthier sleep. If the fussiness persists, speak to your paediatrician.
Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider. Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, mothers eat a healthy, balanced diet. Combined breast- and bottle-feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of a mother's breastmilk and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. If you do decide to use infant formula, you should follow instructions carefully.
