I would like to point out that it is impossible for babies under two years
of age to be lactose intolerant. Galactosemia is a rare form of this and
babies suffering from this cannot survive many weeks if they are still fed
nourishment containing lactose. Those very sick babies will need a special
formula and galactosemia is probably the only baby-related contraindication
to breastfeeding.

All human babies produce lactase which is the enzyme that breaks down the
lactose, until they are two years of age. In some cultures, where milk is
not given past that age, the amount of lactase enzyme decreases. Only if
milk continues to be part of the diet, does the enzyme continue to be
produced. That is why we find ourselves involved with certain cultures who
cannot tolerate milk products.

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.

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.

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.