Sharon,

Lactose intollerance in Bf baby is rare, very, very rare.  Wouldn't it be
easier to test for milk sensitivity?  Sounds like this mother has a high
intake of milk products if she has "cut back" but is still on yogurt, cheese
and ice cream.  Unless this mother goes off ALL dairy for a two week trial
you won't really know if that is the problem.  I have seen really sensitive
babies not respond to the removal of milk products from mother's diet until
she was off them for 14 day with a complete response at 20 days.  Sometimes
the symptoms even seem to worsen before they get better.  Warn her of this.
  She must read labels and avoid hidden dairy, casein, whey and sodium
casinate in prepared foods.

Food sensitivities can affect babies appetite and ability to drain the breast
so with the removal of the offending foods baby may eat better and hence be
more satisfied.

I have heard a mother say that if she takes the lactose tablets it helps the
baby.  Others have said (on lactnet) something about giving it directly to
the baby.  I'm uncomfortable with this advice without more knowledge about
it.

My question on this issue always is this.  Wouldn't it be better to rule out
a sensitivity to cow's milk proteins before trying to give the baby the
lactose tablets since we know the rarity of lactose intollerance in a
breastfed baby and the frequency of milk sensitivity.  Go for the most
obvious/common first.

Doesn't lactose intollerance normally show up after the breastfeeding ends?

Denise Parker, BA, IBCLC