Is it possible to outgrow lactose intolerance

In other cases, lactose intolerance may be a symptom of something else. For instance, if your child experienced an infection or was diagnosed with celiac disease an inability to digest gluten , his or her digestive tract may be irritated and unable to digest lactose for the time being.

Signs of lactose intolerance in kids include abdominal pain, cramps, gas, diarrhea, and bloating. While less severe than milk allergy symptoms, these symptoms can cause extreme discomfort and should be addressed. Unfortunately, a milk allergy cannot be treated. However, like other toddler seasonal allergies , symptoms can be completely abated as long as the allergen is avoided.

Today, all food makers are required to clearly state on package labels whether foods contain milk or milk-based products, making our job as parents to protect our children from potentially harmful ingredients much easier. If you are still breastfeeding, your doctor will have you eliminate dairy from your diet and may suggest removing other potential allergens from your diet as well.

As you wean your child, you may want to choose a fortified formula to help supplement their diet with essential nutrients. Consult your pediatrician to find the best option for your child with allergies.

As your child grows, continue to feed them a dairy-free diet. Your child will be able to get everything they need from nutritious whole foods even with dairy out of the mix. When your child is old enough, they can take a lactase-producing pill that helps assist in the digestion of lactose and greatly diminishes any symptoms from consuming lactose-containing foods.

Many parents rely on these dairy products to supply their babies and toddlers with the nutrients they need to grow and develop. However, there are adequate and even better alternatives to milk that will give children the same, if not more, nourishment. When seeking a safe alternative, be sure to steer clear of formulas and foods that contain these ingredients too.

For babies and toddlers who are allergic or intolerant of milk and dairy products, a plant-based formula may be the best option.

For children over one year old, Else Plant-Based Complete Nutrition is a delicious and vitamin-rich non-dairy nutrition drink that many parents have turned to. Else is completely safe for your child with a milk allergy or lactose intolerance.

In fact, their life may be even more enjoyable without dairy in the mix; they may even choose a completely plant-based lifestyle, which has been shown to benefit long-term health. A better test is the hydrogen breath test, in which a child drinks a liquid that contains lactose and breathes into a container and their breath is captured and tested for hydrogen, which is produced when bacteria act on the lactose in the large intestine. You can also determine if your child is lactose intolerant by eliminating dairy from their diet or giving them synthetically produced lactase in tablet or drop form and seeing if their symptoms go away.

There is no known cure for lactose intolerance, nor is there a way to make your body produce more of the lactase enzyme to break it down. The good news is it can managed through diet and supplements. If your child is lactose intolerant, they can avoid dairy , take lactase or do both.

Lactase only needs to be taken before consuming lactose, so your child could avoid dairy most of the time and take lactase before a birthday party with cheese pizza and ice cream cake. If you opt for your child to avoid lactose rather than take lactase, they may need to steer clear of a number of kid favourites, including milk, yogurt, ice cream and cheese. Some people with lactose intolerance can handle some lactose, but the amount decreases over time as their lactase levels drop. Fermented dairy products, such as yogurt and certain cheeses, contain less lactose than milk, so some lactose-intolerant individuals may be able to eat these products without experiencing symptoms.

Trial and error is the only way to determine if your child can tolerate certain dairy products. Dairy can be found in baked goods, snack foods, salad dressings and frozen meals.

Read more: How to know if your kid has a food allergy or food intolerance Your guide to life after a food allergy diagnosis. Kids health Everything you need to know about lactose intolerance Lactose intolerance typically develops later in childhood and can be easily managed.

Photo: iStockphoto. What is lactose intolerance? What are the different types of lactose intolerance? How common is primary lactose intolerance? When does primary lactose intolerance develop? For lactose intolerance, talk to your doctor about taking a dietary supplement that contains lactase.

Be wary of many medicines that contain lactose, which is used as a filler, especially in white tablets. Soy, nut, rice and veggie-based milks are popular alternatives. Dairy-free brands like So Delicious, Enjoy Life, Almond Breeze and Ripple have perfected recipes that taste just as great as the real thing, if not better. Want to learn more, get tested or speak to a digestive health professional about your symptoms? Contact us and request a same-day appointment!

Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Schedule: Monday - Thursday: a - p Friday: a - p. Request an Appointment Pay Online Now Published: June 18, Allergies Milk allergies usually show up early in life but can develop at any age.

Treatment Unfortunately, avoidance of milk or items containing milk products is the only way to manage an allergy. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published.

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