We self-diagnosed our 5mo. old w/ lactose intolerance (dr. says no b/c she doesn't show typical signs of a milk allergy). I think a baby could have problems digesting the proteins in cow's milk. Anyway, she is exclusively breast fed. However, we started her on rice cereal last week, making it w/ soy formula. Does anyone have experience of lactose intolerant babies not being ably to tolerate soy? She was very fussy last night after a few days of eating a little bit of rice cereal w/ soy formula. She was acting like I had a big glass of milk. Just curious.
If she is exclusively breastfed, you don't need any formula to mix her cereal. You can mix it with expressed breastmilk, water, or even a little juice. It could be that she is not tolerating the rice well, either. Try making it with plain water or breastmilk and see if her fussiness stops. If not, it's probably the cereal. I only gave my kids oatmeal to start and then moved on to the veggies and fruits.
Hi T.-First of all we are not meant to digest cows milk. We lack the enzymes to do so. So you are most likely correct in assuming the milk protein issue. However-soy is just as bad. It is processed and not in its natural form. I had the same concern with my children. My GP who practices both conventional and a more holistic approach told me to use goat's milk. You need to mix it with omegas and simple syrup (which I made) to baby does not get constipated. We did not do rice cereal and personally all of the research I have done and many other women that I know is that fresh organic fruits and veggies are best to start with.
Now my children once they reach a certain age I do substitute organic rice or almond milk. Please let me know if you have more questions!!
T.
Detox Coach
T.:
approximately 70% of the people who are cows milk intolerant are soy intolerant...
a) wait til at least 6 months to start other foods and then go to fruits and vegetables.
P.,RLC, IBCLC
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions
Milk allergies and Lactose intolerance are separate issues, though they don't have to be mutually exclusive. The first thing I would do, in your shoes, is to shop for a new pediatrician who is a little more educated about humans drinking cow's milk!!
My baby (now 16 months) had horrible reflux and was unable to digest Casein as well. I discovered this at 3 months and cut dairy from my diet (breastfeeding as well) and the reflux completely went away. Now that she is starting table food, she also reacts to soy, but with a rash. Many people who have dairy allergies also have soy (and sometimes corn) allergies.
I have a recipe and spreadsheet, etc for a hypo-allergenic formula that you can make that has all of the needed fat and vitamins, etc without using soy. It uses coconut milk, hemp milk, and flax oil. It is from a homeopathic pediatrician. If you would like it or more info, feel free to message me with your email address and I will send it.
Breastfeeding is still the best thing you can do! Can you make her cereal with pumped milk, rice milk, hemp, or coconut milk instead? OR just skip the cereal and give her babyfood. We personally delayed solids until she absolutely hit all of the markers to eat, and then she wasn't interested. Now e know it's because of all her various allergies most likely, but she is a good eater at 16 months.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you want more info!
Amanda
Unless I'm missing something, sounds to me like your pediatrician is right and milk isn't the primary culprit. Have you tried another cereal? Rice cereal didn't agree that well with my kids - we used oatmeal instead.
Or it might be something else entirely. My fussy/colicky son ended up (many years later) being diagnosed with sensory issues. I think he was just overwhelmed by the world around him and it had very little to do with his stomach (although at the time it seemed like it must be tummy ache.) Keep experimenting but don't buy into one theory - keep an open mind. Best wishes! It's no fun to have a baby who is fussy for any reason.
