Lactose and babies: Important things you need to know

Lactose intolerance is often blamed for stomach problems in children who drink cow's milk, but the truth is that lactose intolerance is rare in all populations before 2 or 3 years of age. Read more about lactose — and what can really cause the symptoms. Also, if you are looking for premium lactose free formula for your babies, you can count on L-Zero. 

All lactose has the same structure

Lactose is made up of two simple sugars, glucose and galactose. Regardless of the source of milk - cow, goat, or human - the lactose it contains is molecularly identical.

 

Lactose intolerance in young children is rare

Both galactosemia and congenital lactase deficiency, also known as congenital alactasia, are rare conditions in which a baby is unable to break down the lactose in breast milk or formula. Most babies produce lactase to help digest the lactose in breast milk. 

 

Lactose intolerance due to a relative or absolute deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which develops at different ages in different racial groups, is rare in all population groups before the age of 2 or 3 years.

 

Temporary lactose intolerance is possible

Although congenital lactose intolerance is rare, after infections that affect the gastrointestinal tract, such as: B. rotavirus, develop transient intolerance (or "secondary lactose intolerance"). In these cases, the intestinal mucosa returns to normal and the lactose intolerance usually resolves within three to four weeks. To heal the ongoing lactose intolerance, you can trust, L-zero by Furious Nutritions, one of the top manufacturers of infant formula in India. 

 

Lactose intolerance is not to blame for stomach problems

Many parents misdiagnose their child's uncomfortable symptoms as lactose intolerance when the more appropriate term is often cow's milk sensitivity. Clinical and parental observations show that many children experience at least one symptom associated with the consumption of cow's milk.

Cow's milk sensitivity can include mild to moderate symptoms such as bloating, gas, colic, diarrhoea, constipation, recurrent ear infections, blocked mucous membranes, and eczema. Goat's milk is naturally easy to digest and can be a solution for children who are sensitive to cow's milk or who avoid cow's milk.

 

Lactose intolerance should not be confused with cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA). Cow's milk protein allergy is an allergic reaction to the protein components of milk, not to sugar. People with cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) should generally avoid all dairy products, including goat's milk.

 

Although lactose intolerance is becoming more common in adults and older children, it may not be responsible for stomach problems in infancy. By understanding nutrition and the role food plays in the body, it will be easier to ensure that we are making the right choices in infant formula for our babies.