Many a time, your child may have unpleasant symptoms after drinking milk or munching on some milk products. Your child’s behaviour may be puzzling but do not worry. The reason could be simple. Your child may just be lactose intolerant.
What is Lactose Intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is very common and its symptoms can be found from an early age. It is a sugar usually seen in milk and milk products.
The reason for lactose intolerance among kids is obvious. Your child’s gut is unable to digest and break down lactose as there isn’t enough lactase in the small intestine. Lactase is an important enzyme that helps to break down food nutrients so that the body can use them.
General Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance
You can find several common symptoms of lactose intolerance in your child right from the beginning.
For instance, if your baby is lactose intolerant, he may start getting a nappy rash. Your baby could be cranky or irritable or may have difficulty settling down.
Some kids may also develop unpleasant symptoms after consuming some milk products. They may have bloating, wind, stomach pain, rumbling tummy, diarrhoea, or gas.
Ways to Help Your Child Deal with Lactose Intolerance
As a parent, there are several ways to support your child deal with lactose intolerance.
You can help your child by reducing the amount of milk and dairy products in his daily diet. But if your child is allergic to milk, you may have to avoid giving him milk and dairy products completely.
Here are some habits that you can follow to help your child deal with lactose intolerance.
Buy Lactose-free Milk
You can check the labels before buying milk from stores. You can purchase the milk container if it is lactose-reduced or completely free of lactose for your kid. It will help your child deal with lactose intolerance.
As kids grow, they need more calcium, approximately about 1300 milligrams (mg) of calcium daily. It is necessary as calcium is an important mineral that helps in the bone growth of kids.
Experts suggest that kids with lactose intolerance must have some dairy in their diet. Your kid can drink less milk and eat fewer dairy products but he needs to combine it with other foods that don’t contain lactose. Your child can avoid having a lot of dairy at once.
For instance, if your kid insists on having a milkshake, he can do so by combining it with a dairy-free sandwich.
Your child can also consume full-fat milk as the fat in the milk gives your child’s body a longer time to digest lactose.
Supplement with Plant-based Milk
You can replace regular milk with plant-based milk for your kid. There are several varieties available that are lactose-free and low in cholesterol.
Almond milk and soya milk are the most popular plant-based milk. Other healthy plant drinks include coconut milk, hazelnut milk, rice milk, oat milk, hemp milk, pea milk, etc.
Yoghurt and Cheese
Among dairy products, yoghurt and cheese have very low lactose content and are easier to digest than milk. Hard cheeses such as cheddar are lower in lactose and are quite safe for your kid.
Other cheeses that have very low lactose content include mozzarella, parmesan, halloumi, swiss, cheddar, colby, fetta, gouda, brie, camembert, havarti, and Tilstat. These cheeses are safe and fine for your child to eat.
You can also give yoghurt to your kid. The active bacteria in yoghurt breaks down the lactose. So, it is easier to digest and much less likely to cause lactose problems in your kid.
Calcium-fortified soy yoghurt or soy cheese are good substitutes. Butter and cream contain only small amounts of lactose and can be consumed safely.
Serve a Variety of Non-Dairy Foods
Another best option is to offer a variety of dairy-free foods that are rich in calcium and without lactose. Broccoli, beans, turnip greens, tofu, collard greens, rice, oats, quinoa, kale, dry fruits, calcium-fortified orange juice, salmon, and soybeans are alternative foods.
You can also give macaroni, noodles, spaghetti, and sweet potatoes if the items are prepared without milk or milk products.
Check Labels of Preserved Foods
As you visit supermarkets, you will find many frozen and canned foods available in the supermarket.
You can check the food labels to see if lactose is present in boxed, canned, frozen, and processed foods. Look for the foods that carry, “dairy-free,” or “suitable for vegans,” signs and check if the food has low lactose in it.
If possible, try to avoid purchasing ready-to-eat foods. They could be cream-based sauces, milk desserts, milk ice-creams, creamed vegetables, cheesy sauces, candies including chocolate and confectionaries, muffins or pancakes. You can also avoid buying milk solids, powdered milk, and whey.
Take Lactase Enzyme as a Supplement
You can remind your child to take a lactase enzyme supplement right before eating dairy products. The supplements come as drops or tablets and can easily be added to milk.
Having a lactase enzyme supplement can help prevent pain, cramping, bloating, gas, and diarrhoea caused by lactose intolerance. The pills help the body to break down lactose so that the body can absorb the sugars, eliminating symptoms.
Consult a Dietician
Taking the advice of a doctor or a registered dietician is another good idea. They can help your child come up with eating alternatives to help him manage his symptoms.
Many health experts recommend a well-balanced diet for kids so that they get enough calcium and nutrients necessary for their development. They may advise you to limit milk and other dairy products in your child’s regular meals.
As your child makes a little bit of lifestyle adjustments, he will be able to steer clear of all lactose intolerance symptoms. With a little precaution, your child can lead a normal life and enjoy all the food. You only have to provide him with healthier options!
