lactose intolerence or allergy?

[ionesmum]

I've already had loads of help from you with regards my dd's trapped wind, but I'm afraid that I'm asking for help again!

Our dd is now being fed on a low-lactose milk and although we have seen a little improvement things are still quite bad. I am becoming convinced that she has a temporary lactose intolerence triggered by the upset tummy caused by the cold that she had. Her symptoms are very similar to an adult's IBS- bloating, wind and tummy discomfort. However, when I mention this to our health professionals they say that if dd was lactose intolerent then she would be failing to thrive, having diahorrea etc., but this sounds more like an allergic reaction to me. Can anyone offer any advice on this? I would like to try dd on a lactose-free milk but can't get anyone to take this idea seriously.

My ds 19 mos is on a 100%lactose free milk himself. He has been since 12 mos. This milk is called Lactaid. I have not had any problems since he went on it. I had tried regular milk a few times and he was so gassed up. I also had to use similac lactose free formula with my ds when he was born too. You probally need a 100% free milk. If your dd is having tummy discomfort like my ds had he is probally lactose intolerent. Sometimes to me I think doctors dont always know what they are talking about. When I told my childs doctor this is the milk they recommended. If they dont carry it where you live you might be able to find something like it. Good Luck.

The dietician for my ds says that he is allergic to dairy wheat and soya. She said that an allergy would produce a specific allergic reaction such as a rash, swelling etc, but an intolerance would only bring on non specific symptoms like wind, and tummy pain. Can't remember if she said diarrhoea was an intolerance symptom or an allergy one, but you might be better off getting a referral to a dietician via your gp.

You could also try asking for a non soya/dairy formula which is only available on prescription. The difference would be noticeable in only a couple of days.

Good luck.

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I don't know how old your dd is but I think you should consult your doctor/health visitor about trying a dairy free diet to see if it helps.

I think there is often a fine line between allergy and intolerance and the more I read about the two the harder it becomes to distinguish a bad intolerance from a mild allergy. I think the end result is the same though, avoid the problem foods. My own dd is unable to eat anything with any trace of milk in it or she suffers terrible stomach pains exactly 3 1/2 hours later. This is classed as an intolerance as it is not an immediate reaction but it is a very predictable one which has to be taken seriously. She has been put on a milk free diet by the dietitian and will be prescribed WYSOY until the age of 5 to ensure that she gets all the required nutrients as she is generally a poor eater. She never suffered diahrroea but was really constipated, irritable and had disturbed sleep as well as failing to gain weight for 6 months prior to being diagnosed. It was only a dose of Lactulose that led me to suspect the milk problems.

The British Allergy Foundation (now Allergy UK) can give you more information, try their web site at www.allergyfoundation.com

Thanks for all your help. Our dd is nearly 4mnths. I hope to see our g.p. at the end of the week so it's really helpful to have other mum's experiences to back up what we are seeing in our dd. I will have a look at the allergy site too. Thanks again!