[omelette]

My almost 7 month old has had tummy trouble from the start. I've cut out several things (dairy and gluten being the 2 bigs ones) and have noticed improvements from this. But, he is always gassy. So gassy and uncomfortable that he only sleeps in 5 minute-20 minute stretches with some 1 hr stretches. He always wakes up having to fart or burp or spit-up.<br>
We've gone to see a dr/lactation specialist and we are working with her to try and figure out what is making him so uncomfortable and gassy.<br>
After our 2nd visit she suggested giving him Lactaid before each feed to see if he has an intolerance to the lactose in my milk. So we gave it a try. The 1st night he slept a 2 hour and a 3 hour stretch, the 2nd night he slept 2-2 hour stretches and a 3.5 hour stretch. Amazing, this baby has not slept like that unless he is in his daddy's arms and being rocked the whole time. He is way less gassy and not waking up from tummy discomfort.<br><br>
Now I'm looking for input<br>
- Would this conclude that he is in fact not tolerating the lactose in my milk?<br>
-Is Lactaid something you can use on-going as I don't want to stop bf'ing?<br>
Any other info from anybody who may have had a similar issue would be appreciated.<br>
Thanks.

 

[spughy]

It wouldn't be an intolerance to lactose per se, but a lack of lactase, the enzyme that breaks lactose down into glucose & sucrose. That's all Lactaid is, just a dose of the enzyme. So, if that helps, then by all means keep using it.<br><br>
It is, however, rare for an infant not to produce enough lactase, and it usually means other things are wrong, too - unless it is a congenital problem (which would have been diagnosed shortly after birth, as your child failed to gain weight and had horrible, frothy, stinky fermented poops) it is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection that damages the small intestine, and it's usually transitory. If your DS's weight gain has always been ok and his poops are normal (yellow and not too stinky) then I think it's weird that Lactaid would help, but there's no harm in using it.

 

[PatioGardener]

I agree with spughy, it is very very rare for a baby to be 'allergic' to lactose or unable to digest it - that is the sugar that feeds the baby, builds the brain etc. I think there is actually a test for lactase issues - not sure what it is or if baby can get it though.

 

[omelette]

He's had orange, watery, frothy poops from the start and they often smelled foul. After cutting out dairy the frothiness went away and after cutting out gluten they weren't as watery but always orange and never curdy. The dr.s haven't been concerned b/c he is gaining very well, he's been in the 97% since birth and he muscle tonality is good. He looks very healthy, he's moving well, etc.<br>
Could it still be something bacterial or viral?<br>
I'm not 100% sold on the intolerance to lactose, I'm just desperate to figure something out b/c he's so uncomfortable and we all need sleep.<br>
Last night the Lactaid didn't help as much as the 1st 2 nights. He slep in 1 hour intervals and was quite gassy inbetween.

 

[spughy]

You could try infant probiotics. The Udo's are really good - I used them with my DD. It sounds like there are definitely digestive issues but it's much more likely that his gut hasn't been properly colonized by the bacteria it needs. They will take several days, up to a week, to really build up so don't expect miracles overnight... and also, because of his history he probably has an expectation of pain resulting from what starts as internal discomfort so he may be reacting more to a stimulus that wouldn't necessarily wake a different child.

 

[omelette]

I already give him the Udo's infant pro-biotics, although it's been a couple of weeks since I last gave them to him. I'll start those again today but he's been getting probiotics since he was a newbie so I figured his gut was in good balance. I feel clueless right now.