Lactose Intolerant or Allergic to Milk?
What’s the difference baby?
The terms “lactose intolerant” and ‘milk allergy” are terms that are used way too loosely around mothers groups and even by pediatricians. There are even several doc’s in Denpasar that insist on telling mothers that the babies are allergic to breast milk! Babies cannot be allergic to their mothers’ breast milk’ but they can have an allergic reaction to proteins or other components in foods that the mother eats. Common allergens present in breast milk are nuts, soy, dairy products, wheat, eggs, fish and meat. Some babies may be allergic to other foods or additives. It’s really a matter of trial and error to find out which of the foods that mother is eating is affecting the baby.
So what are the signs of true lactose intolerance and allergies?
Lactose Intolerance:
Lactose is a carbohydrate (milk – sugar) that is present in dairy products. Lactose Intolerance (LI) is defined as the inability to completely break down lactose due to a lack of an enzyme produced by the small intestines. This is also referred to as Lactase Deficiency. It the most common type of Carbohydrate Intolerance.
LI is the commonest genetic disorder affecting more than half the world population. The condition is much more common in Asian populations, perhaps because dairy food is a relatively new addition to the Asian diet.
Lactose intolerance is a result of the body’s inability to digest lactose, or the sugars present in milk. Signs of lactose intolerance in babies manifest mainly as tummy pains and diarrhea, although some babies will experience vomiting and eczema as well. Signs of lactose intolerance usually begin about 30 to 60 minutes after consumption of dairy through formula or breast milk. Your pediatrician can diagnose lactose intolerance in your baby and advise on changes in her feedings.
Stomach pain from an overproduction of gas in the intestines. Often, babies will show signs of pain after a feeding by grimacing, crying inconsolably and twisting their bodies around to relieve the discomfort.
Colic and excessive gas as well as diarrhea and spitting up.
Lactose intolerance in babies can also manifest as eczema.
If you suspect that your baby may be lactose intolerant, try a lactose free milk formula, and if your baby is eating he will need a dairy-free diet.
Milk allergy:
Milk allergy is a food allergy and is caused when the immune system that usually protects us from infections thinks that proteins of certain foods are harmful things. The immune system reaction is to release toxins to ‘destroy’ these proteins, but they end up giving us the allergic reaction.
Symptoms of Food Allergy
Reactions to foods are usually rapid, appearing within an hour (or sometimes even seconds) of consumption, although in some cases they may be delayed and appear up to four hours after eating.
Skin rashes, such as nettle rash (also called urticaria or hives) can appear which are generally short lived, disappearing within a few days. Longer lasting, chronic skin reactions (such as scaly patches) can also be experienced
An itchy nose and eyes, sneezing and a runny nose may be experienced, as can asthmatic symptoms, such as wheezing, breathlessness and coughing. These types of symptom are not seen so often with food allergies.
Itching and swelling around the lips and mouth may occur on contact with a food.
Other symptoms include nausea, cramping pains, bloating, vomiting and diarrhea.
If you suspect that your baby has a milk allergy see your family doctor who will recommend allergy tests to confirm the allergy.
Kim Patra is a qualified registered nurse and midwife who has been living and working in Bali for almost 20 years. She now runs her own private practice and medical referral service from her Kuta office. Kim is happy to discuss any health concerns with you and she may be contacted via e-mail at info@chcbali.com or Hp. 081 2366 0000.
