A prominent physician in town told me of a temporary condition that
some babies have called temporary lactose intolerance.  He said some
babies are born without enough of the enzyme lactase necessary to
breakdown lactose.  He surmises this as these affected breastfed
babies have frequent, explosive loose stools and strain as they do.
He advises mothers to give  these babies drops of lactaid prior to
feeding to assist this condition and to go on a restrictive diet.
This condition is usually resolved by 6 weeks or at the longest 3 mo.
He sees results in 10 to 20 % of his patients, stating "He has saved
the emotional lives of many parents by this method". I almost choked.

As I am forever learning, I did a Dr.Jack and asked for the references
for temporary lactose intolerance.  He then told me he doesn't have a
reference nor does he believe all of what he reads and this is
something that he has observed.  I told him I would do a search.  Now
my question, any ideas how to educate this MD without alienating
him??????  Any references that cite that for a newborn, lactose
intolerance is RARE???  Am I missing something???

Thank you all in advance!!!

Elisa Hirsch, RN,IBCLC
Westlake Village, CA