Diane,

     I believe you are correct about the action of lactase on milk.   I think
it "digests" the lactose into smaller bits which the gut can absorb for those
of us who are lactose impaired.  But it's important to realize that lactase
drops do not eliminate 100% of the lactose in milk and in the case of a baby
with celiac sprue even very small amounts of lactose can continue the
irritation to the gut.  I can't give you the detailed physiology here.  I'm
just rephrasing what the gastroenterologist told me when I was caring for this
baby.

Cindy Neary RN