Signs Your Child is Lactose Intolerant

30 Dec Signs Your Child is Lactose Intolerant

Lactose intolerance is an unfortunately common condition that impacts many children today. Lactose intolerance doesn’t just mean an issue digesting milk, it is an actual intolerance to the sugar found in man popular foods including milk, cheeses, and ice cream. This sugar is also found in a lot of processed foods, formulas, sauces, dressing, and baked goods as well.

Most parents don’t find out their child has a lactose issue until they see their child have a bad reaction, but many times, less severe lactose allergies will go unnoticed. Kids may be experiencing subtle symptoms, have trouble going to the bathroom, or just an overall weakened immune system—all from an undetected lactose issue.

This is why it is so important for parents to be on the lookout for signs of lactose intolerance in their children.

Perhaps the most common issue of lactose intolerance in children is kids with loose stools or watery diarrhea after they have dairy products. Abnormal, or particularly fragrant or frequent gas is another very common sign of lactose intolerance. Some kids will also experience other digestive issues such as nausea or stomach bloating or distension. In more serious intolerances, kids may also complain of generalized abdominal pain or cramping.

However, not every kid only experiences digestive issues when they struggle to digest lactose. Lactose intolerance is not the same thing as a milk allergy, which is a serious immune system reaction instead of a digestive issue.

Some parents will notice lactose intolerance right away, as lactose is in breast milk and most formulas. However, there are many children who have acquired lactose intolerance, meaning their tolerance naturally declines after infancy. Simply put, just because your child hasn’t always been lactose intolerant, it doesn’t mean they haven’t recently developed a lactose issue.

If you notice any of these common signs and symptoms, then it is time to call a doctor. Your child’s pediatrician can help you order the right tests so you can get a definite diagnosis of lactose intolerance. Here at Continuum Pediatrics, we want to help parents like you diagnose their child’s allergies and intolerances so that they can live their happiest and healthiest. Just call our office today 817-617-8600 to make an appointment with one of our doctors.