Although I agree with everyone so far who has questioned *why* the baby up for adoption has been on lactose-free formula, I do have a thought about it based on my experience. My nephew was adopted at six months of age and had been put on a soy formula since he had been *abandoned* at birth and there was no history re: milk allergy/sensitivity. His HCP's determined that soy would be less problematic than dairy based formula for a baby whose parents were unknown. The same may be true for the caretakers of the baby we have been discussing. I am offering the benefit of the doubt, here. Either way, any breastmilk that the baby receives will have value (preaching to the choir!!) Oddly enough, my niece (born to my sister) IS truly lactose-intolerant (15 months bfd) - had agonizing symptoms from two to three years of age until diagnosis. Her treatment has been simple, adding special drops into milk before drinking or using in cereal, breaks down the lactose for her. Lisa Jones, LLLL in south Florida