Ask a Baby Blogger: Lactose Intolerance, Reflux and Breastfeedingby Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger 02 Mar 2008 04:29 AM Question: I was wondering about this. my neighbor said she couldn't BF because he was lactose intolerant, which lead to horrible reflux. would that much be possible? This comment was left on my other post about breastfeeding and whether or not a baby can truly be allergic to breast milk. I am sad to say that more often than not, I hear of bad advice and misunderstanding surrounding breastfeeding problems than sound, well researched advice. It is possible that a baby can be lactose intolerant and therefore unable to breastfeed but highly improbable. True (Primary) Lactose Intolerance What is referred to as 'true' lactose intolerance is hereditary and is extremely rare. It is considered 'true' lactose intolerance when you (or your baby) completely lacks the ability to produce the enzyme necessary to digest the sugar lactase, in milk. A baby who is truly lactose intolerant therefore, will never gain weight, will show signs of severe dehydrations and malnourishment. Frankly, I am guessing (and this is just a guess) that your friend's baby was not truly lactose intolerant because she mentions reflux as being the indicator. If a baby is truly lactose intolerant, he won't even get out of the hospital and reflux would be the least of these parents' worries. In this case, soy formula or another lactose free formula is the best option and the baby will not be able to breastfeed. Secondary Lactose Intolerance Secondary lactose intolerance is more common, although not necessarily in babies. Secondary lactose intolerance is caused when there is damage to gut where the lactase is produced. Things that can cause this damage are: gastroenteritis, food intolerance or allergy (in breastfed babies, this can come from food proteins, such as cows' milk, soy or egg, in the mother's milk originating in her diet, as well as from food the baby has eaten), coeliac disease (intolerance to the gluten in wheat products), or following bowel surgery to name a few. It is always a temporary condition as long as the gut can heal. So what do you do if your baby is diagnosed with secondary lactose intolerance and you want to still breastfeed? Look for the answer in my next blog! Valorie Delp shares recipes and kitchen tips in the food blog, solves breastfeeding problems, shares parenting tips, and current research in the baby blog, and insight, resources and ideas in the homeschooling blog. To read more articles by Valorie Delp, click here.
Related Blogs: Can Too Much Exercise Make Your Milk Sour? You're Hard Wired for Baby Love Learn more about Valorie Delp  Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line. Relevantbaby tags User Comments jenedge (18) 19 Apr 2009 08:42 PM"If a baby is truly lactose intolerant, he won't even get out of the hospital and reflux would be the least of these parents' worries."---I do not agree with this at all. My child has galactosemia and is lactose intolerant. We left the hospital and didn't see the damage til we were home for 13 days. It comes on a few spit ups and then gets worse. But yes parents can get home from the hospital and have to figure this one out on their own.  Valorie Delp (49340) 20 Apr 2009 04:02 AMI'm sorry you had to figure this out on your own. All the same, it is extremely, EXTREMELY rare that this happens while breastfeeding which was the point of the article. Furthermore, it is even more rare to have to figure it out on your own. They should've caught it in the hospital. Community Tags breastfeeding, baby, infants, lactose intolerance, reflux Discuss this article
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