Does breastmilk contain lactose?

Question

I noticed that there are plenty of formulas out there for lactose intolerant babies. But I was wondering if breastmilk contains lactose and if it does, then can a baby who is lactose intolerant be breastfed or do they automatically have to take formula. And how would one know if their baby is lactose intolerant?

Answer 1

it contains HUMAN lactose as opposed to bovine lactose.

http://www.llli.org/ba/Nov98.html
"Food allergies in breastfed infants are usually to substances passing into breast milk, not to breast milk itself. There are different types of allergies which may present multiple symptoms. Many symptoms are non-specific which may lead to over- or under-diagnosis. Most infants will respond to elimination of cow's milk from the mother's diet. "

Here's a comprehensive report on "Outcomes of Breastfeeding Versus Formula Feeding"
http://www.llli.org/docs/Outcomes_of_breastfeeding_June_2007.pdf

Answer 2

Breastmilk contains 1.5 times the lactose of cow's milk. If a baby is lactose intolerant, he can be bfed if mom avoids ALL dairy. La Leche League claims that "true lactose intoleance is virtually unknown in babies and young children under weaning age" (The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding,2004 , 7th revised edition, p. 310) They claim that LI is only temporary and the result of intestinal illness or treatment with antibiotics (p. 309).

That said, I have heard that LI does occur, it is characterized by loose stools, maybe pain and gas.

I know someone who said her child was severely LI and did go on formula. I would explore every possible option before doing this though.

I guess this is no definitive answer, just a lot of info.

Answer 3

Does Breast Milk Have Lactose

Answer 4

Breastmilk contains lactose, yes. It is called galactose, and allergy to it (rather than a possible sensitivity to all things casein riding on the sugar) is exceptionally rare. It even has its own name, galactosemia. Babies with this problem are few and far between. And my copy of the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding doesn't say that they shouldn't be breastfed, either, but I'm not so sure there.

Casein, the milk protein, causes diarrhea, gassiness, rashes (mouth and rear) fussiness, and vomiting. (At least in my daughters.) I have had to cut out foods with hidden dairy: Hamburger Helper, macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, gravies, cream soups. Doing this has cleared up huge flareups of eczema and "endless" diarrhea. My first daughter was fed formula in the hospital (she was "big" and therefore had to be hungry) and greeted me by throwing up all over me. That first feeding led to rashiness, but by six weeks, her skin was clear and didn't have any more large dry patches on breastmilk.

The best way I guess to tell the difference would be to ask one's pediatrician to prescribe Lact-Aid for your infant to see if it helped clear up gassiness and diarrhea (any skin rash would be a clear sign of an allergic reaction, which couldn't happen with lactose, only casein. Histamines don't attack stray sugars, only proteins.) I suppose that's really saying, "become a rash detective." And Dr Sears wrote tons on that.

My daughters are allergic to milk protein: they can eat yogurt and hard cheeses where the protein has been modified by bacteria, but not drink milk. They've all been great breastfeeders.

Answer 5

I recommend tasting it. Even just so you know. it's sweeter than cow's milk and not as thick tasting. If that makes any sense. But every womans milk tastes a little different. Ask your midwife or OB for formula samples. That way you can try a few different ones to see which your baby likes. My daughter would only drink one kind of formula and it's expensive to keep buying more and more just to test. Your OB/midwife can give you single bottle samples.

Answer 6

Your breastmilk changes to what ever your baby needs if your baby is lactose intolerant then you your milk will change. My friend went through it her son was lactose intolerant and the only reason she knew was because in the afternoon she would give him formula.

Answer 7

confusing point. seek using google and yahoo. just that will help!