Can breastfeeding cause lactose intolerance?

Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
Updated on February 07, 2025
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Breast milk can also cause lactose intolerance, primarily because it also contains lactose, which plays an important role in the nutrition of infants, promoting the development of the brain's nervous system and providing energy for the growth and development of the baby. However, conditions such as rotavirus gastroenteritis or chronic diarrhea can trigger a dysbiosis of the gut flora, leading to insufficient secretion of lactase in babies. Once lactose intolerance occurs and is not alleviated in time, it can prolong the course of the baby's diarrhea, cause digestive and nutritional absorption disorders, often resulting in watery stools increasing in frequency, and the baby may also experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, and other uncomfortable symptoms. Therefore, in such cases, it is necessary to temporarily stop breastfeeding, administer lactase or switch to lactose-free formula milk for management, and resume normal diet once the symptoms are relieved.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
44sec home-news-image

How long does lactose intolerance self-heal?

Lactose intolerance may resolve on its own in some babies after the age of three, while others may not recover from it. Lactose intolerance primarily occurs because the secretion of lactase in the intestines decreases, leading to incomplete breakdown of lactose found in breastmilk or cow's milk. This results in symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, and indigestion. There are two causes of lactose intolerance: one is congenital lactose intolerance, which requires long-term medication or avoiding dairy products as much as possible. The other cause is transient lactose intolerance due to infection, which generally improves about a month after treatment.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Can massage therapy adjust lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance cannot be managed through massage, and patients with lactose intolerance still need to take appropriate treatment measures to eliminate symptoms and avoid nutritional deficiencies. For primary lactase deficiency, it is advocated to reduce lactose intake, and for congenital lactase deficiency, lifelong lactose abstention is necessary. However, for patients with secondary lactose intolerance, treatment should be based on the underlying disease. For example, if Crohn's disease has caused secondary lactose intolerance, treatment with medications like mesalamine or sulfasalazine salicylate is necessary. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance refers to the symptoms of diarrhea caused by the difficulty in digesting lactose in human milk or cow's milk due to a deficiency of lactase in the body, also known as lactase deficiency syndrome. It is primarily seen in infants and young children who consume milk as their main food, with the highest incidence in China among children aged seven to eight years old. In cases of lactase deficiency, it is advisable to avoid using cow's milk or human milk. Instead, soy milk or sour milk can be used as substitutes, as they do not contain lactose, thus avoiding the phenomena of lactose intolerance.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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What kind of milk should adults with lactose intolerance drink?

If an adult is lactose intolerant and allergic to drinking milk, they must drink milk that has undergone some special treatment. If it is not specially treated, drinking it can easily cause diarrhea. Diarrhea from drinking milk may also be due to an allergy to a component of the milk. If that is the case, it is necessary to improve allergen detection and try to avoid drinking milk. If diarrhea is caused by poor digestion in the gastrointestinal tract, some medications that regulate intestinal flora can be used for supportive treatment.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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What are the effects of lactose intolerance in infants?

Lactose intolerance in children primarily causes an imbalance in the gut microbiome, leading to digestive system symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The main mechanism is the insufficient secretion of lactase in the baby's intestines, which fails to digest and absorb lactose in food, resulting in symptoms of lactose intolerance. In such cases, the intake of probiotics orally and reducing the intake of foods containing lactose can be helpful. If the baby is fed with formula or breast milk, taking lactase orally or switching to lactose-free formula milk for feeding can be considered. If the child has already started on solid foods, halt the intake of dairy products and simply continue feeding with solid foods, such as porridge, noodles, or rice flour. If a baby shows signs of lactose intolerance, it is crucial to monitor for symptoms of dehydration. If there are signs like poor skin turgor, low energy, or reduced urine output, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly from a specialist to manage and prevent the aggravation of dehydration symptoms.