Lactose Intolerant or Milk Allergy

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Lactose Intolerant or Milk Allergy

by Vanessa
(orange county )

I am not sure if my 3 month old is lactrose intolerant or has milk allergy. All I know is for the first month and a half I breastfed and supplimented with milk based formula. I cried with my baby every night and all day becuase he would cry and cramp up. I went to 2 doctors and they told me it was colic and nothing I could do.

Finally one doctor put it together, he had a massive rash on his face, he was crying all the time, cramping up after eating, and had diarrhea. I started him on Soy formula, not knowing all the downfalls to it, but it worked. Everything cleared up in ONE DAY! yes ! ONE DAY! It was a new baby.

I am not sure if my baby is lactose intolerant or if he has milk allergy, and I do not like the smell or the taste for my baby of the hyproallergy formula, smells like pure medicine.

Is there a lactose free formula out there that migth be good? Again I am not sure if he is lactose intolerant or allergic to cow milk protein. How will I be able to know which it is?

And is there a few different formulas out here best to try? My dr recommended Enfamil Lacto free, but I can not find that it stores, and buying online is not for me when it comes to formula. thank you !

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Lactose Intolerant or Milk Allergy

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Mar 25, 2011

Milk allergy or lactose intolerance
by: Paula

Hi Vanesssa,

First of all, kudos for not giving up, but continuing to seek second opinions to get a proper diagnosis for yor baby. Absolutely wonderful that the symptoms disappeared as soon as you switched to soy formula!

Now to the question of lactose intolerance or milk allergy... It is a good question, since the symptoms are often very similar. A lot of what happened to your baby; the pain, crying, dirrhea, ar common in both cases. However, the rashes, if they disappeared when you took him off dairy, would suggest milk allergy.

If it is important for you to know which it is, head back to your baby's doctor and ask for testing. There isn't one single lab test to check for milk allergy, but it can be done.

Regarding formulas, soy-based, hydrolysate and amino acid based formula are the most common options. Many babies that are allergic to cow's milk protein cannot tolerate soy either, but that doesn't seem to be the case for your baby. I know there are discussions about whether soy-based formula is good or not, but compared to not thriving, soy formula is definitely a better option.

You mention that the pediatrician suggested Enfamil LactoFree. That would suggest that the Dr does not believe that your son has milk allergy. Other lactosefree formulas are for example Baby's Only Lactose Free Formula and Similac Sensitive Advance Infant Formula.

If you rather want a formula that works with milk allergy, another option is Similac Alimentum Hypoallergenic Formula.

But I do think you should head back to the Doctor's office and discuss the options. In mnay places, insurance will cover for hypoallergenic formula too, if prescibed by a doctor.
Finally, if you haven't weaned your baby completely from breastfeeding, breast milk is another excellent option, if you cut out dairy from your diet.

I hope this helps,

Paula

Dec 26, 2011

OMG YES!!!! Milk allergies are real!!
by: Anonymous

DO NOT GIVE UP........ When my son was born he had a milk and soy protein allergy... There was only 1 type of formula that was available for him during this time. Since I wasn't crazy about the thought of formula I basically went on strike...I cut out all milk and soy protein out of my diet and breast fed my son... YES IT WAS VERY HARD, but I wanted the best for him. I alternated this formula when he was almost a year old and after he turned 14 months, we introduced whole milk. He eventually outgrew the milk and protein allergy but I chose to stick with Soy, Rice and Almond milk for most of his diet. SO, again don't give up...Your baby is worth every sacrifice you have to make...Good luck

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