1 yr old lactose intolerant? Advice needed

[JBH]

Hi
I just switched my 1 yr old to cows milk from soy formula.
I believe she may be lactose intolerant, but not sure.
She is tolerant of cheese and yogurt, however.
But we have found that she has been fussy at night and more gassy than usual once she was switched to cows milk. Her breath also has a sour smell, like bad breath (poor thing).
Last night she was tossing and turning and crying at times. At one point I went in and it felt like she had a fever. She also seems more stuffed up too/mucousy. Often I get mucousy myself after I eat dairy.
The drs office said it was ok to switch to soy milk.
1.) Does anyone else have this issue with cows milk?
2.) Does the intolerance subside over time
3.) What fortified organic soy formula do you recommend?
4.) Does this sound like lactose intolerance?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!

[Ruthla]

Breastmilk (from mom and/or milk donors) would be ideal- is that at all an option in your situation?

If the problem is lactose, and not a milk protein allergy or intolerance, I'd try giving her lactose-free whole milk, or fermented dairy products rather than plain milk in a bottle.

I really don't recomend soy as a primary source of nutrition for anybody- the phytoestrogens can damage growing endocrine systems. But if you are going to continue giving her soy, I'd suggest putting her back on infant formula rather than using a commercial soy milk- the soy milks are very low in fat and vitamins and are simply NOT a good breastmilk substitute (the way whole cow's milk, or any form of infant formula, can be used in place of breastmilk for a toddler.)

[JBH]

I stopped breastfeeding at around 7 months.
I ended up buying soymilk yesterday and my daughter got horrendous gas from it. She was fine on the soy formula, but obviously the soymilk isnt agreeing with her.
I ended up buying a dairy based formula so that may help with the transition to milk.
I also have concerns about soy and would not use it again.
But, its in everything.

[*Erin*]

1 is awfully young to give cow's milk to. i know it's the recommended thing to do, but there's alot of research in favor of waiting. sounds like it's way too much for her right now.
if she eats cheese and yogurt, she is getting plenty of calcium and D from that.she doesnt need cow's milk. if you think she needs some type of "milk" and donated breastmilk isnt an option, could you give her an organic toddler formula instead, and wait on the cow's milk until she's bigger?

[JBH]

She has been on an organic soy formula. Its just getting too costly.
I have a doctors appointment next week and will ask about an alternative.

[alegna]

I would keep her on the formula she's used to.

Humans really need breastmilk (or its closest substitute) for 2 full years.

FWIW - lactose intolerance is *incredibly* rare in infants and toddlers as they are designed to be nursing and human milk is very high in lactose.

-Angela

[kaliyah'smama]

Breastmilk Lactose Intolerance????

Our DD (12 months old) is also suffering from horrendous gas, exclusively at night for six weeks now. It seems to increase when she has breastmilk (either expressed and given by GM - mostly before bedtime - when I'm at work or when nursing in the night).

We've done elimination diet - cut out gluten and diary from both her diet and mine, begun probiotics, GI support supplement......can't figure it out.

We're not sleeping as she is tossing and turning, fitful and consequently wants to nurse all night.

Is there any chance at all that she has a sensitivity to lactose (mine)?

[kjbrown92]

Originally Posted by kaliyah'smama

Is there any chance at all that she has a sensitivity to lactose (mine)?

Very rare. More likely she's just reacting to something in your diet. Dairy, gluten, soy and corn are the top 4 but it could be any food at all. You could start a food journal and see if you notice a trend.

[*Lindsey*]

she could be reacting to something else... eggs, wheat, dairy, fish, corn, soy, nuts.

Have you added any new solid foods to her diet?