Will baby lactose intolerance get better on its own?

Written by Huang Kun Mei
Pediatrics
Updated on January 24, 2025
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Whether lactose intolerance in babies will resolve on its own depends on the severity of the symptoms. If the symptoms are mild, mothers should pay attention to a balanced diet, which may gradually lead to recovery. However, if the symptoms are more pronounced, it is necessary to visit the hospital promptly for diagnosis. If diagnosed with lactose intolerance, medication, such as lactase, may be required, and the medication should be administered according to the specific conditions of the child. For babies under six months who are exclusively breastfed, it is crucial for mothers to ensure a balanced nutrition. If the baby is over six months old, they should be fed foods that are easy to digest.

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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 Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
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Can infant lactose intolerance cause bloody stools?

When infants experience lactose intolerance, there is a possibility of bloody stools. With lactose intolerance, infants will exhibit symptoms such as an increased frequency of bowel movements, diarrhea, and bloating. If the frequency of bowel movements is particularly high, for instance more than ten times, or even more, especially over a prolonged period, the gastrointestinal function of the infant is not very perfect. An increase in bowel movements can exacerbate damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa, potentially leading to bloody stools. Additionally, when the frequency of bowel movements is very high, it could lead to damage to the perianal skin, which might also result in bloody stools. Or, when an infant has lactose intolerance, if they are also suffering from other viral or bacterial infections in the gastrointestinal tract, the likelihood of bloody stools may increase. Therefore, if we consider that an infant has lactose intolerance, it is crucial to promptly add lactase for treatment and to switch to a different formula for oral administration.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Symptoms of infant lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance in infants is mostly due to lactose intolerance secondary to post-viral infections, with a small portion being primary lactose intolerance caused by low activity or lack of lactase. This leads to undigested lactose after consuming animal milk, resulting in a series of clinical symptoms. Common symptoms include changes in stool; for lactose-intolerant children, there are relatively more curds in the stool, and the stool is somewhat loose and poorly digested. Additionally, children with lactose intolerance often have poor digestive function, increased gastrointestinal gas, and sometimes experience bloating and abdominal discomfort, which can also affect the baby's sleep.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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What to eat when lactose intolerance causes nausea

Patients with lactose intolerance primarily show clinical symptoms related to the digestive tract such as bloating, increased bowel sounds, intestinal colic, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and more. Some patients experience reduced intestinal motility, leading to constipation, and the severity of symptoms is somewhat related to the amount of dairy products consumed. If a patient with lactose intolerance is experiencing nausea, they should eat light foods and avoid dairy products as much as possible. Patients with lactose intolerance should seek medical attention in a timely manner. When visiting a doctor, they should provide detailed medical history information to help the doctor determine the correlation between the clinical symptoms and lactose intolerance.

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What should I do if I vomit due to lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance can lead to vomiting, which can be managed based on the condition by symptomatic treatment. For example, Metoclopramide can be used orally or through muscle injection to alleviate vomiting. If necessary, chlorpromazine injections can also be used for treatment. The choice of specific medications and their administration must adhere to medical advice. In addition to addressing the symptoms, it is essential to treat the primary disease causing lactose intolerance. For instance, if it is caused by ulcerative colitis, then treatment should focus on this condition. In the case of primary lactose intolerance, a lifelong avoidance of lactose-containing foods is necessary. (Medication use should be under the guidance of a physician.)