4 symptoms that show lactose intolerant babies

Being lactose intolerant means that the body cannot digest lactose, which is the sugar found in dairy products, and it is not only adults who suffer from it; there are also lactose intolerant babies who exhibit common symptoms. In adults, consuming milk or eating dairy products like cheese or yogurt can cause symptoms ranging from stomach cramps to diarrhea, and many of us live with this intolerance. Although it is rarer, babies can also have it.How to know if my baby is lactose intolerantSince babies cannot speak, determining if your baby is lactose intolerant can be complicated, but if you have doubts, you can pay attention to the symptoms and consult your pediatrician for a concrete diagnosis.If your baby seems to have trouble digesting dairy, this does not necessarily mean they are lactose intolerant, as their symptoms may be due to another cause. However, there are generally 4 common symptoms of lactose intolerance in babies:diarrhea stomach crampsbloatinggasSince babies cannot explain what bothers them, it is not always easy to know when they have stomach issues, but you can look for certain signs that babies show when they are experiencing stomach pain, such as clenching their fists, arching their backs, kicking or lifting their legs, crying while passing gas. Additionally, when their stomach is bloated, it may appear a bit larger than normal and feel hard to the touch.Pay attention to the signals after meals, as symptoms may appear between 30 minutes and 2 hours after consuming breast milk, milk-based formula, or solid foods containing dairy.On the other hand, it is possible that your baby is not lactose intolerant but has a milk allergy, as the symptoms are similar to those of lactose intolerance, but these conditions are not the same.A milk allergy occurs when the immune system reacts excessively to dairy. If your baby is allergic to milk, they may experience stomach discomfort and diarrhea, but they will also present symptoms that do not occur with intolerance, such as wheezing, coughing, swelling, itching, watery eyes, and vomiting. Even if you notice these symptoms, the most important thing is to consult a specialist doctor for an appropriate diagnosis.If you are wondering how common lactose intolerance is in babies, fortunately, most people with lactose intolerance do not develop symptoms until later, when the natural production of the enzyme that helps the body digest lactose decreases (which can happen in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood), so lactose intolerance in babies under 1 year old is quite rare, but not impossible.So if you notice symptoms of lactose intolerance in your baby, do not hesitate to consult your doctor for professional recommendations to help your little one and prevent discomfort.