For All You Experienced Moms

I think he could be allergic to the soy, but ALSO have trouble digesting the soy.

When my son was born the hospital had free samples of a soy-based formula available. I didn't feed it to him then, but when I (reluctantly) gave him his first bottle, it was that stuff, because it was all I had & I didn't know what to give him anyway.

He was fine on it for quite a while, but then started getting all gassy & uncomfortable. His doctor then recommended GoodStart. Then things got better.

So it may just be a thing with soy. I have problems with soy-based things, too. It must be the type of protein in it.

Well at 11mos he's getting to a point where he really doesn't need formula anymore. I would say dump the soy, it really isn't that great anyway. Try finding an alternative to dairy maybe a lactose free milk or maybe another type of milk substitute.

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Why do they think he's lactose intolerant? Didn't they give you a reason? I would make sure they gave me a reason! If he's eating yogurt and drinking milk with no side effects, I don't understand why they think he's lactose intolerant. It sounds like maybe you need to try a new pediatrician.

just cause he doesn't get sick doesn't mean he's not lintolerant, my husband is intolerant, when he eats dairy products, he just gets REALLY gasy both ways and his stomach will hurt until it's out of his system

My second child had a dairy sensitivity and boy - did it turn me on to a world of research and dietary awareness for kids with any type of intolerance to anything! You are very lucky to know that your child has a lactose intolerance. Even if there is a chance - you should avoid all dairy. We know that babies don't have the correct stomach enzymes to break down dairy protein until they are about 1 year old. We know that a child ingesting dairy (or any allergin) too soon - or even at the right recommended age - could seem to have no problems if the intolerance isn't detected and then 2-3 years later be severely allergic. Also there is links to children tolerating it for years, but then as an adult - have severe GI (gastrointestinal) issues. So, really - as much of an inconvenience as it might seem - it is well worth it. I breastfed and couldn't eat dairy for 18 months - Whenever i craved pizza - I would remind myself that this was a wonderful gift and sacrifice that I could give my child now, so that he wouldn't have to deal with it for years to come.

(He did grow out of it - which is quite common, as well.)

If you are unsure the best thing about this world is the option for SECOND OPINIONS YEAHH!! Summer has a good point on the intolerance issue and you seem to be unsure therefore I would get a second opinion and go from there.

Well, what is making them think he is lactose intolerant? It doesnt sound like he is from what you have written..... I just have to say "hmmm".
Maybe doc is just thinking you should wait a little longer before introducing milk, they like to be err on the safe side with that. But if you have been introducing it slowly and he seems to be digesting it okay I would say you are the best judge.

just throwing this out there for something to think about...my son was getting the same rash symptoms and smelly diapers, belly aches and found out he was allergic to eggs! i only say this because it looks like you give him eggs in the morning. Cut out the eggs (not just eggs, but everything with eggs in them) and see if that makes a difference. if it does, take him to an allergist and have him tested. Ours was about the same age when we put 2 & 2 together!! And eggs are in SO MANY things (like pasta too...i see you give him ravs & mac & cheese) that it may actually be a food allergy. Allergys to eggs are actually pretty common and oftentimes they will grow out of it.

Both of my girls had to drink lactofree formula but once they turned one they never had a problem. They eat yogurt, cheese, loves milk and ICE CREAM!!!

You don't mention what symptoms you noticed that causeed your pediatrician to diagnose a lactose issue.... was this due to the skin irritation or is there something else?

Don't let the doctor take you child off dairy. They ALWAYS do that!!!! My doctor has told me to take all my kids of dairy a million times it seems. The essential fats for the brain development and vitamin D and calcium and protein all naturally occurring in orgnic milk (cut whatever else you can in your family budget and get organic milk)are way too hard to replace in those key developmental years. Soy products engineered to imitate milk are not healthy and should be used sparingly unless there is definitely a severe dairy allergy, which it doesn't sound like your son has.
Good work doubting your doctor. And awesome job giving the fresh real foods. You didn't say what problem your son is having leading the doc to believe he's lactose intolerant, but I would get a second opinion or wait for your son adjust to all the foods in his life. My kids have all flourished with their organic milk despite Doctor's advice, and most family doctors-especially American ones-are not nutritionists. When I asked what kind of foods could replace that much calcium alone despite the other nutrients (already knowing that artificially enriching things with calcium is debatably effective and it's impossible to eat enough veggies with calcium to replace it) he couldn't even answer, yet he told me to remove it like it was no big deal. No way!

I would revisit the allergist doctor and discuss other possibilities. Also, I noted you mentioned that your son is on a soy formula. Soy Formula was ounce thought to be the answer to milk allergies but recent research has been finding that infants also have allergies to soy. http://www.livestrong.com/article/116353-dangers-soy-infa... and http://www.life123.com/health/nutrition/food-allergies/so...

Good Luck and be aware, your pediatrician is well-educated and has much knowledge that you may not have learned BUT a Dr. can still be wrong, or make mistakes, and you as the parent have the benefit of everyday observation and intuition. Believe your intuition and follow your heart.

Be well,
ann m.

I'd skip the soy formula and start making the switch to whole milk. Watch him closely and see how he reacts to it. If he seems to be intolerant, switch to a lactose-free version of whole milk. Take it step by step. Best wishes!

I'm not really sure why your ped would say that -- is your son having reactions? Eggs can be an allergen, or sometimes reactions for combinations of foods, or your son might not be able to handle some of the additives or combinations in adult foods yet...not sure what his reaction is...

A cheap way to see what is happening is to keep a food diary for him for one week: keep meals simple, with whole ingredients like fresh banana or plain pasta (not canned or preprocessed) or rice, and stay off dairy, see what happens. Here's a good cheat sheet for "hidden" dairy ingredients:

www.kellymom.com/store/freehandouts/hidden-dairy01.pdf

Then, second week, keep foods simple and whole ingredients again, but with dairy, and see what happens.

If the reactions are with and without dairy, then perhaps its another aspect of his diet or environment. Here's a good beginning link...

www.babyzone.com/baby_toddler_preschooler_health/allergie...

My daughter and son had skin allergies, so I knew no fragrances, no sulfite or sulfate soaps, but if it is milk, Lactaid might be more expensive than no-brand Soy or Rice milk.

Good luck:)

Why does the pediatrician think he is lactose intolerant? Is there a reason that they were looking at intolerance? If so maybe it is presenting itself just not in the normal ways. My son is/was allergic to milk. I never even knew he was allergic until the allergy test (we did to find out if he was allergic to nuts, he is) came back positive. He still drinks it and it has never caused a problem. Talk to the Dr. if you really think that isn't what is going on with your son make sure you speak up. Dr. make mistakes and you know your child best but make sure you open a dialogue before you just ignore the Dr. advice.

I would get a second opinion from a different ped.