Dany wrote:
>It is possible for an infant to suffer from secondary lactose intolerance.
>But that happens ONLY if a certain illness (flu) has wiped out (only for a
>while)the production of lactase. That is why we try to avoid dairy products
>after we have had the flu. But we all know that breastmilk is the best way
>to recuperate from the flu...and that breastfed babies never get the flu.

Not sure about the flu as a cause, but gastroenteritis can damage the gut
lining and temporarily wipe out the lactase-producing cells, causing
secondary lactose intolerance. These cells are on the very outer surface of
the gut lining so lactase is the first thing to be affected when you have
gut damage. This is why it is so common.

>When an infant is colicky, he does not suffer from lactose intolerance. He
>could suffer from an intolerance or an allergy to the beef protein in dairy
>products taken by the mother. It is useless to put these babies on
>lactose-free formulas.

Another cause of gut damage can be allergies to things like bovine protein,
so you can actually get secondary lactose intolerance from this cause. So
feeding lactose-free formula *can* reduce symptoms, but does not get to the
cause of the problem. I think this is why people confuse the two problems.
My understanding is that Lactaid drops wouldn't do anything given by
dripping onto mother's nipple, but only work if left to convert the lactose
in a container of milk over a period of hours.

>We should think before saying a breastfed baby is lactose intolerant or that
>Lact-Aid tablets would help a colicky baby. We are then telling the mother
>her breastmilk is the culprit and she will loose confidence in herself.

I agree here. I think in the case of oversupply, baby may be getting a
lactose overload and therefore showing some of the symptoms of lactose
intolerance. (I explain how the milk is virtually going in one end and out
the other too quickly.) Mothers appreciate the explanation of what is
happening, and can be empowered to alter their management to reduce the
symptoms, and still have confidence in their breastmilk.

Joy Anderson IBCLC, NMAA Breastfeeding Counsellor
Perth, Western Australia
[log in to unmask]