Toddlers, like babies, are difficult to manage. Mothers have a hell of a time with them, due to their habits and unsettling behaviors. They need to be comforted in case of a fall, cared for in case of discomfort, watched during play and pampered almost every time. Whatever the situation, a lactose intolerant toddler requires adequate care and lactase supplement to break away from the milk phenomenon.
Caring for a lactose intolerant toddler: Feeding a toddler is one of most difficult of jobs. This is especially the case if your toddler has been diagnosed with lactose intolerance or lactase deficiency. You know the symptoms and the cure. An adult lactose intolerant is manageable, not a kid’s lactose intolerance. There are methods to help you do that and below are a few of them:
1. Diagnose it on your own: Before you go ahead for consultation with a physician, observe the symptoms yourself. A toddler expresses stomach pain by showing discomfort in the way he sits, sleeps or commutes with you. Allow the toddler to ingest milk products and then, watch for ½ hour to 3 hours. Note down the symptoms and their hour of appearance. Symptoms can be sudden crying in between sleeps, painful cramps (which toddlers express through facial contortions), gas (which can be identified in the frothy, runny and offensive-odorous stools) etc.
2. Confirm with your doctor: Consult a pediatrician before you come to conclusions. What you think to be symptoms of a lactose intolerance can be symptoms of a milk allergy or gastroenteritis or some other ailment. The pediatrician will ask questions about your family history, your tolerance/intolerance levels to lactose and the toddler’s symptoms (like weight gain or loss) to confirm the condition. Sometimes it can be a case of lactose overload too.
3. Feed small amounts of dairy products: You cannot completely stop giving dairy products to your toddler. This is because his only source of certain vitamins or proteins and even lactose are milk and its products. So, start small and gradually increase the amount of dairy products you give. Feed cheese, yogurt, soy milk and other items which have less lactose.
4. Use substitutes: Like for adults, you can substitute whole or skimmed or dry milk products with foods that are gastronomically feasible and lactose-free. These can be lactaid lactose-free milk, silk soy milk and many such products that are calcium fortified. Never try whey or milk solids or other items which may use milk. Check the labels before buying items for your toddler.
5. Consult a dietitian: Important if you are not versed in the ingredients of each and every food item you take or give your toddler. Toddlers are sensitive to foods and some foods can have adverse reactions or allergies in them. If you have a lactose intolerant toddler, you need to ensure that your kid gets all the essential nutrients offered by milk without letting him/her consume milk or milk products. For this, you can seek the help of a dietitian.
