Three Simple Steps to Treat Transient Lactose Intolerance in Babies!

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Abstract

f="https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/930971-overview#:~:text=Although%20transient%20lactose%20intolerance%20may,short%20course%20of%20a%20lactose%2D"><b><i>transient lactose intolerance</i></b></a><b><i>.</i></b></p><h2 id="47d3">What is transient lactose intolerance?</h2><p id="fd37">Transient lactose intolerance is caused by the small intestines' inability to produce the lactase enzyme after illness (acute gastroenteritis). The virus, parasite, or “bug” wipes out the good bacteria and debilitates the small intestines, making you lactose intolerant for a short period.</p><p id="37f3">This is quite common in children and adults. It takes weeks for you to get back to your regular self after that “salad” you had from the corner store. And you’re only making it worse by having that yogurt!</p><p id="421e">Fortunately, it is curable with three simple steps. Here’s the tested process we followed based on our pediatrician’s advice.</p><h2 id="0067">1. Eliminate all sources of lactose for one month.</h2><p id="6600">Substitute all your foods with a lactose-free option. Focus on foods that are easy to digest and don’t usually irritate your intestines.</p><p id="1a34">If you are still breastfeeding, you need to stop. Breastmilk has lactose, and it didn’t allow our baby to heal. You will have to try different brands of lactose-free milk. They are not all equal, and many options will probably irritate your baby’s intestines. We tried soy-based formula — that was a disaster! Our

Options

baby used to wake up crying in pain, and it made the diarrhea worse! The lactose-free formula didn’t help (it’s full of sugar maybe that’s why). She completely hated almond milk. We were finally saved by organic <a href="https://www.koita.com/product/rice-milk/">rice milk</a>.</p><h2 id="7fac">2. Take time to heal.</h2><p id="a1c7">Take daily pre-biotics and stick to the lactose-free diet for at least <b><i>one month. </i></b>You might feel great before then, but you’ve got to stick to the one month before reintroducing lactose. Focus on healing. Pay close attention to other irritants. Don’t start eating beans/legumes if you’re not used to them. You’ll end up bloated and gassy. That’s NOT healing. This is not the time to introduce new foods or to experiment.</p><h2 id="981b">3. Gradually reintroduce lactose.</h2><p id="b4c4">After the month is over, start reintroducing dairy slowly. You can follow the steps I shared in my previous article (<a href="https://readmedium.com/how-i-cured-my-lactose-intolerance-in-6-weeks-1aeb4ab11e2c">here</a>) or you can just simply start with hard cheeses once a day (these usually have less lactose than soft cheeses or milk). Increase the amount of dairy gradually. You don’t want to shock your system and get another episode of diarrhea. It’s like starting from scratch again. You want to keep those small intestines in good shape.</p><p id="d788">Follow these simple steps and you and your baby will soon be back to normal!</p></article></body>

Step 1. Eliminate lactose for a month.

I recently wrote about my experience with lactose intolerance and how I cured it. Soon after my 16-month old daughter got a stomach bug which seemed to last forever. Two-weeks of inconsistent stool, in all shapes and forms, numerous times a day.

Numerous lab tests were negative for any bugs. We had no idea what was going on. One day she seemed to improve, only to get worse in the evening!

It was an extremely frustrating time for us. Imagine not knowing what is going on with your baby, the doctor is waiting and seeing, and you can’t do anything about it.

There was no fever or any other symptom, so the doctor didn’t want to give her any unnecessary medication.

It was until we stopped all lactose for several days, that she improved.

What is transient lactose intolerance?

Transient lactose intolerance is caused by the small intestines' inability to produce the lactase enzyme after illness (acute gastroenteritis). The virus, parasite, or “bug” wipes out the good bacteria and debilitates the small intestines, making you lactose intolerant for a short period.

This is quite common in children and adults. It takes weeks for you to get back to your regular self after that “salad” you had from the corner store. And you’re only making it worse by having that yogurt!

Fortunately, it is curable with three simple steps. Here’s the tested process we followed based on our pediatrician’s advice.

1. Eliminate all sources of lactose for one month.

Substitute all your foods with a lactose-free option. Focus on foods that are easy to digest and don’t usually irritate your intestines.

If you are still breastfeeding, you need to stop. Breastmilk has lactose, and it didn’t allow our baby to heal. You will have to try different brands of lactose-free milk. They are not all equal, and many options will probably irritate your baby’s intestines. We tried soy-based formula — that was a disaster! Our baby used to wake up crying in pain, and it made the diarrhea worse! The lactose-free formula didn’t help (it’s full of sugar maybe that’s why). She completely hated almond milk. We were finally saved by organic rice milk.

2. Take time to heal.

Take daily pre-biotics and stick to the lactose-free diet for at least one month. You might feel great before then, but you’ve got to stick to the one month before reintroducing lactose. Focus on healing. Pay close attention to other irritants. Don’t start eating beans/legumes if you’re not used to them. You’ll end up bloated and gassy. That’s NOT healing. This is not the time to introduce new foods or to experiment.

3. Gradually reintroduce lactose.

After the month is over, start reintroducing dairy slowly. You can follow the steps I shared in my previous article (here) or you can just simply start with hard cheeses once a day (these usually have less lactose than soft cheeses or milk). Increase the amount of dairy gradually. You don’t want to shock your system and get another episode of diarrhea. It’s like starting from scratch again. You want to keep those small intestines in good shape.

Follow these simple steps and you and your baby will soon be back to normal!