how do you know if baby's lactose-intolerant?

[hazlinh]

just wondering..as dr said he was worried dd could become lactose-intolerant after a viral infection/food poisoning as it could damage the lining of her stomach (I think that's what he saiud, i was too shocked and appalled to be listening properly, and even forgot to ask how do i know if she's lactose intolerant!!!)

The baby I know who is lastose intolerant projectile vomited all of his milk feeds. He was fine on breast milk as mum was on a dairy free diet anyway. He's now 2.8mo and still has to avoid all dairy products. Forgot that I put a tablespoon of skimmed milk powder in my breadmaker and gave him a piece of toast once and within 5minutes he'd vomited. Hope dd is ok, hazlinh.
You may find that she cant cope with dairy products forthe first few weeks after this type of bug , then as her gut lining settles down, things get to normal. The child I described above has more of an allergy to it rather than just intolerance.

many thanks honeybunny. dd normally has formula during the day and only has bm at night. luckily the virus coincided with me being on leave so i have been mainly breastfeeding her and so far everything seems ok.

unfortunately she's also developed a cough and a runny nose now!! but no fever. what do u give a 9mth old for cough?

my dd was lactose intolarant from birth till 6 mths. it was basically colic like symptoms after every feed. could feel her stomach bubbling after every feed, and would scream!! i swapped to sma lf (lactose free) but changed back when dd was 6 mth to sma gold and she has been fine ever since.

hth

Calpol or neurofen is basically best. She may have a sore throat or achey head which would respond to calpol. I swear by olbas oil to help keep nasal passages clear (on a hanky or a few drops in the bath, and plug ins from Boots overnight. Raising the cot end so her head is higher than her feet should help the nose to drain and reduce the tickliness. "cough remedies" are really just tasty sugary syrups and have no real effect on coughs according to my dr dh. The cough and snotty nose could cause her to be sick again after feeds too so dont jump straight to the lactose intolerance thought. Again people advise to reduce dairy intake during a cold to help reduce snot production, and boost orange coloured fruit and veg for the immune boosting effects, eg sweet potato, mango, carrots, butternut etc.

DS would have terrible gas if I drank milk or even had ice cream. Later after he was weaned, he got a classic milk allergy diaper rash the first time we tried to give it to him.

I think Lactose intolerance after a stomach bug is just a temporary thing as honeybunny says. My dd had temporary mild lactose intolerance after a bout of gastroenteritis at 6 months. She actually could still drink her formula milk but if she had any other lactose products (cheese, yoghurts etc.) then she would have permanent diarrhoea (so there seemed to be a level of lactose she could tolerate). I cut out all lactose other than formula for probably a couple of months maybe a bit more (can't remember) and then tried reintroducing and she was fine.

Horrible nappies, crying before filling a nappy and during, maybe being sick would all be signs. Pale poo for us too, but that's maybe not everyone.

I would give probiotics after any stomach bug or antibiotics to repopulate the gut. Also avoid straight milk. Lots of breastmilk will help the gut to heal.

I thought I should update this post, despite such a long time this was posted. So that other mums that are going through the same and are reseraching the web get to know the answer:
Little babies with viral gastroenteritis, will vomit every formula/breast milk feed and will prensent fever and diarrhea for more than a few days. Fever should last up to 3 or so days, to control the fever use calpol and Neurofen... after the fever is over, the vomiting and diarrhea will persist with NO fever.
In the babies intestines there is a layer of enzimes that should break the lactose and digest it, allowing the gut to absorb the nutrients in the breastmilk/formula. However, after so many days with strong diarrhea this layer is totally wiped out and destroyed, and for a while you baby will become lactose intolerant, this is not permanent, just temporary (may last 2 to 3 weeks after no longer presenting any of the synthoms). Meaning if you feed her/him breast or formula milk while still with gastroenteritis, they will poo even more, diarrhea gets worse (btw the poo will look as cottage cheese when fed milk). Solution for VIRAL Gastroenteritis:
-Control fever with CALPOL and NEUROFEN, follow the indications in the package
-Keep baby hydrated with Dyuralite or similar solution (replace all feeds with Dyuralite, avoid feeding your baby milk at all cost)
-After fever is no longer there and you baby has flushed out her/his system carry on feeding Dyuralite for another 24hours.
-Now with no fever, start slowing to replace dyuralite with a diluted version of Lactose Free Formula over a 24hrs period.

Feed your baby for the next 2 weeks only Lactose Free milk and if they also eat solids then offer solids like rice, carrots, bananas and potatos. Nothing that may contain milk.
After 3 weeks your baby should have the enzymes again and might be ready to process milk again.
It took us 7 days, 4 trips to hospitals, 4 GPs appointments and one pediatric gastro specialyst to laern this. So I though it was my duty to pass it around.

Good Luck!

'-Now with no fever, start slowing to replace dyuralite with a diluted version of Lactose Free Formula over a 24hrs period.'

Huh? Agraves in your zeal to update a more than 5yrs old post you seem to be saying that a baby with viral gastroenteritis must not be breastfed for at least 3 weeks. I strongly suspect you're wrong there - any experts want to clarify?

Agraves/l39 I am not an expert but am Mum to an 8 month old who is just recovering from viral gastroenteritis. The doctor we saw said that breastfeeding helped and should continue throughout baby's illness. As I don't formula feed I don't know for sure but I think the advice is to stop formula feeding while baby is poorly (although of course alternative hydration must be given - LITTLE AND OFTEN).

Hope this helps.

Strange post, agraves :(

LI is almost always temporary. If the baby is breastfed, breastfeeding should continue (except in very rare cases). Formula fed babies may need a lactose-free formula. Mother's diet matters not one jot with a bf baby - dairy free does not stop lactose in the breastmilk which is always there.

As ever, people should check with their doctors rather than relying on the internet which often has really dodgy info!