Lactose intolerance - any advice?

[ExistentialistCat]

I've been advised by our GP to put DD on lactose-free formula for a couple of weeks, following 2-3 weeks of constant diarrhoea, nappy rash and scaly skin. It's already made quite a difference after just 3 days.

The GP suggested that we do LF for 2 weeks and then gradually re-introduce regular formula, but she hasn't given me any guidance as to how to do this. Do I start with just one feed a day and build it up, do I mix LF and normal formula - or what?

I'm asking mumsnetters because I don't have a huge amount of faith in the GP - she didn't know the difference between LF formula and soy formula and seemed generally a bit vague!

I'd like to hear about other people's experiences, particularly whether it's normal for LF formula poo to be darker and stinkier than milk poo...

how old is your DD?

My DD is now 22mths and has been on neocate since she was 10mths and has all the symptoms you have listed.

Not sure about the point of re-introducing it after 2wks though..

Sorry cant offer any advice really as im in a similar situation.

My DS who is also 22 months has also had diarrhoea and nappy rash for over three weeks although his skin is very dry he has not really had any excema for quite some time.

Will watch this thread with interest as I too took him to Gp last week who did a stool sample that came back normal although she said to try actimel or yakult to restore his digestive balance?

He has been on lactose free semi skimmed milk for about a week but it does not seem to have made much difference and we are still having terrible nappies four or five times a day and loads of his vests and clothes are now ruined.

I was putting it down to teething but I dont see how it could go on for so long?

we use goats milk for our youngest two. DS2 has almost grown out of a dairy allergy, after years on soy milk. DS3 is now 2, and wouldn't take soy (he is lactose intolerant). After many sleepless, crying nights, we tried goats milk and it has worked. DISCLAIMER - this is just a personal story, we did have sensible discussions with GP, and I don't want to give any medical advice at all, in case it is rubbish!

tracyface - sounds just like my DD when she has had dairy

Unfortunately she went to visit relatives in Ireland last weekend (I did not go) and obvioulsy ate something she shouldn't have as poo oozed out of clothes yeserday and poo pooled in bottom of her sleeping bag in the morning

Does your DS maybe have a problem with soy??

Thanks for your thoughts, everyone. DD is 5 months, and the lactose intolerance seemed to develop quite suddenly shortly after her 16 week injections. I think the reasoning behind reintroducing regular formula is that it's a temporary/secondary intolerance.

Very useful to hear about other people's experiences, thanks!

My Ds was about 2 years old when he has a bad spell of diarrhoea which lasted for about 3 weeks, after that he would vomit every time he had his milk. I took him to the hospital in the end and they advised me that he has lost the lining in his stomach that he could not tolerate dairy products for about 3 weeks. I started to give him soya milk instead. One day i gave him rice milk and he absolutley loved it!He then had rice milk for a long time after that point! There are lots of Dairy free products in the supermarkets.

Regarding how to introduce formula milk back to your child.... when i was trying to get my Ds onto cows milk rather than formula, my HV did say to me that it was fine to mix the cows milk in with the formula and gradually add more cows milk as he got used to it. This may work with LF formula and normal formula. Please check this advice before trying it as i would feel awful if i made your child unwell, hope it goes well for you!

Thanks Simpson & Daisychainz - maybe I will try soy milk instead and see if it helps.

tracyface - if you do try soya milk I would take it slow as my DD went onto wysoy fine for a few wks then developed a problem with that too.

I was most when the doctor told me it is common in children who have a problem with dairy to develop problems with soya too.

Wish they had told me before tbh.