Baby lactose intolerant??

[Aries456]

Hi all, my 6 weeks old and is forumla fed and has the following symptoms... do they sound like lactose intolerance could be the problem? Seeing GP tomorrow but would like to be atm as with knowledge. Has anyone else had lactose as a problem? Or anyone he these symptoms and it be something else?

Arches back and thrashes head after feeds

Takes about 40 mins to stop tensing and squiggling after a feed

Cries a lot, doesn't settle easily

Cries when passing wind

Wakes herself up passing wind

Very loose/ watery, bright yellow poos

V difficult to burp

In addition to this, DS1 was formula fed and was like this for first few months. DD2 was fed bm and was much better but when I introduced her to cow's milk at a year she was violently sick and I had to put her on soy milk for a further 6 months. My mum also told me all 3 of me and my siblings had to have soy formula...
Thanks for reading.

More likely to be cows milk protein that's the issue rather than lactose (lactose is the sugar in the milk).

P.s. soy milk would not be the first choice formula for lactose or cows milk protein intolerance/ allergy

@dementedpixie - are there formulas that don't use cow's milk? As you can tell I am rather ignorant about it all! I have tried to look it up but I think the sleep deprivation is bamboozling my mind!

You would normally get them on prescription once it the issue had been diagnosed. There are lactose free milks if you wanted to try that first but they won't help if cows milk protein is the issue. Think SMA does lactose free (SMA LF)

Agree that it’s very unlikely to be Lactose Intolerance, it’s much more likely that your baby has Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA). Have a read of this from Allergy UK and see what you think.

The GP should prescribe a formula suitable for babies with CMPA and refer LO to a Paediatric Dietician.

Let us know how you get on

Our LO was diagnosed with a milk protein (and possible soy) allergy a couple of weeks ago. We had much the same symptoms - constantly in pain, long periods of inconsolable crying, difficulty sleeping and burping, discomfort whilst eating and after eating, liquid poop, reflux. Unfortunately even after switching to the special formula, they say it can take a good two or three weeks for the milk protein to leave their bodies completely, and so the effect often isn't instant. The new formula he was immediately able to drink more easily, but the constant crying, etc. is only just starting to improve a week later. Definitely worth seeing your doctor though, hope baby feels better soon!

How did you get on at the Doctor’s Aries?

Hi all, thank you for your messages 😊 I went to GP to immediately agreed it sounded like CMPA (I took photos of her nappy and of the rash she gets on her face when feedong). He has put her on aptimil pepti and said he will call on Monday to review how it is going. Tbh it isn't brilliant atm. Her symptoms are all still the same but now she is only drinking 2oz and refuses to take more and seems to be in pain towards the end of her feed I.e. she seems to want to drink more but then I put the teat in again she starts crying. Not sure if this is just her getting used to the formula or if it is somehow worse! After initially feeling so pleased something was being done to sort her I now feel pretty down and at a bit of a loss as to what to do for the best. Should I persevere with the new formula? Or should I ask on Monday to switch to a totally dairy free milk?

I’d preserve with the new formula for the weekend, if it is CMOA it’s got to be better than regular formula. If she’s really distressed you could always go to a Walk-in Centre or A&E.

She might settle a bit by Monday but if she doesn’t then yes, ask for a completely DF formula then

This evening I cracked and put her back on kendamil after she refused any milk between 12-5pm and spent that time alternating between unbearable crying and then sleeping. Every time I offered he the milk she took 3 sucks and started crying and then really screeching until she went back to sleep. So horrible. And the only symptom that improved at all in 6 days was her baby acne cleared up - if anything her wind was worse, nappies still runny and she wasn't eating (only 3oz between 8am - 5pm when I gave up). After giving her back her old milk she drank 2oz immediately with no fuss then fell asleep and another 3oz tonight. She did her usual head thrashing/ bobbing and curling up after the feed for 15-20 mins but has gone back to sleep.
Not really sure where to go from here...

Have you thought of mixing the 2 formulas so that you introduce the new one an ounce at a time? So if you make up 4floz, make 3 of the regular one and 1 of the new formula. Then when she’s used to that, change over another floz.

Hi, i know it was a while ago now but did you ever get to the bottom of it as my 7 week old has the same symptoms and i dont know what to do