Important question about my 14 month old son???

Question

My 14th month old had the stomach virus that is going around on Thursday. The doc's said it usually last 24-48 hrs and that we jus had 2 let it runs its course. But the last 2 days everytime my son drinks milk he either throws up really bad or he has diaherra with it. He has been able to drink anything else and it is all fine, I don't know what's going on with the milk and why he's having these problems.. He never had problems with formula and he has been on Vitamin D milk since he was 12mths... what could be going on?

Answer 1

Dairy is extremely hard on a sick tummy and GI tract --- dairy increases production of mucus and irritates the lining of an inflamed digestive system. I'm surprised the doctor didn't give the standard warning against anything dairy (especially milk) during this time.

Basically, you want to avoid dairy whenever there is a sinus issue and a stomach issue. You also don't want to unintentionally influence an allergy to dairy by giving it while his system is in a vulnerable state.

Clear liquids and foods (i.e. jello, pedialyte, water, broth - -- can have color, but has to be transparant) is the key for when sick with a tummy bug. GL!

ETA: breastmilk is not considered dairy :) AND I'm glad someone inserted some information emphasizing that lactose intolerance and milk allergy are two completely different things. It always cracks me up when someone said 'oh my mother couldn't breastfeed me because i was allergic to dairy/lactose intolerant'.

Answer 2

Usually when people have a stomach virus milk is one of the last things they should drink. Try to stick with some clear fluids for a day or two but still contact the Dr about the sudden change with the milk. It may also be that the Vitamin D is just to rich and fatty for him. But yes contact the Dr again. children that age can dehydrate so quickly. Also keep count of how many wet diapers he is having because if he is wetting less that can alert you that he is getting dehydrated. Good Luck

Answer 3

His stomach virus may be gone, but his tummy may still be quite torn up from all the trauma it's gone through. Don't give him any milk for a few more days if possible. Pedialyte is excellent to keep him hydrated and will help with the diarrhea. Try giving him freezer pops from pedialyte as well. If you are concerned about the milk, try giving him soy milk if he has no allergies to it. Soy tends to be easier on delicate digestive systems. Then again, your son may have developed a certain intolerance to the milk. He's only been on it for two months from your description. Call your doctor as soon as possible and tell him/her what is going on.

Answer 4

Sometimes milk will aggravate an already sensitive digestive tract.Try to avoid giving him milk for a couple of days til his system calms down.Then slowly reintroduce it to his diet and see what the reaction is.If he is still having problems then speak to your pediatrician asap.To replace the fluids he would be getting from the milk try a pedialite type drink or even regular ginger ale will help calm his stomach.

Answer 5

in fact milk makes adults stomach uneasy when they are sick milk just doesn't settle with the stomach when people are sick just make up for the calcium lost with a small amount of cheese ore yogurt if his stomach can handle it a lay off the milk for a little that can cause the stomach to become upset and he can loss a lot of fluids that way

Answer 6

Trauma to the intestines can cause TEMPORARLY lactose intolerance (true lactose intolerance in children under three is extremely rare and would be diagnosed within days of birth due to failure to thrive).

"Lactose intolerance in babies
Primary (or true) lactose intolerance is an extremely rare genetic condition and is incompatible with normal life without medical intervention. A truly lactose intolerant baby would fail to thrive from birth (ie not even start to gain weight), and show obvious symptoms of malabsorption and dehydration - a medical emergency case needing a special diet from soon after birth.


Anything that damages the gut lining, even subtly, can cause secondary lactose intolerance. The enzyme lactase is produced in the very tips of folds of the intestine, and anything that causes damage to the gut may wipe off these tips and reduce the enzyme production, for example
*gastroenteritis
*food intolerance or allergy (In breastfed babies, this can come from food proteins, such as cows' milk, soy or egg, in the mother's milk originating in her diet, as well as from food the baby has eaten.)
*coeliac disease (intolerance to the gluten in wheat products)
*following bowel surgery


Note that cows' milk protein allergy (or intolerance) is often confused with lactose intolerance, and they are thought by many people to be the same thing. This confusion probably arises because cows' milk protein and lactose are both in the same food, ie dairy products. Also contributing to this confusion is the fact that allergy or intolerance to this protein can be a cause of secondary lactose intolerance, so they may be present together.


Secondary lactose intolerance is a temporary state as long as the gut damage can heal. When the cause of the damage to the gut is removed, for example the food to which a baby is allergic is taken out of the diet, the gut will heal even if the baby is still fed breastmilk. If your doctor does diagnose 'lactose intolerance' you need to know that this is not harmful to your baby as long as she is otherwise well and growing normally.


Occasionally it is considered preferable to reduce the immediate symptoms, by reducing the amount of lactose in the diet for a time, particularly if the baby has been losing weight. In this case, it may be suggested that the mother alternate breastfeeding and feeding the baby with a lactose-free artificial baby milk. Sensitivity of the baby to foreign protein (cow or soy) should be considered before introduction to artificial baby milk, as types other than the truly hypoallergenic ones may make the problem worse. Although commonly advised, there is no good evidence to support taking the baby off the breast altogether. In the case of a baby recovering from severe gastroenteritis, average recovery time for the gut is four weeks, but may be up to eight weeks for a young baby under three months. For older babies, over about 18 months, recovery may be as rapid as one week.

[...]

You may have heard about giving 'Lactaid' drops to babies who have symptoms of lactose intolerance. There is no proof that these are of any value used this way. These drops do contain the enzyme, lactase, but need to be put into expressed breastmilk and left overnight for the enzyme to digest the lactose in the milk. In practice they are rarely useful for babies. "

Answer 7

Sounds like the milk is upseting his stomach. I'd make another appt with the doc to make sure he's not lactose intolerant.

Answer 8

The whole milk thing.... doesn't go with being sick! I have been sick 1000s of times throughout my life and clear liquids are the only thing that should be taken.

Any doctor will tell you that.

Answer 9

I'm suprised your doctor didn't tell you to use the BRAT diet
B-bananas
R-rice
A-applesauce
T-toast
with clear liquids
This is recommended until the symptoms are gone.
Hope your lil one feels better soon!!!!

Answer 10

He could be lactose-intolerant... You should have the doctor check. That's what it sounds like. From what I heard, you can develop these kinds of things just out of the blue. You should definitely contact your pediatrician.