Jump to content

  • Set Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
Set Your LocationKahi Mohala
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Book Appointment
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
    • Book Appointment
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Kāhi Mōhala
  • Ask an Expert
  • Lactose Intolerant Child?
Content

Ask An Expert

Lactose Intolerant Child?

Steven Machtinger

Steven Machtinger, M.D.

Mills-Peninsula Medical Group

Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

Question:

My child was diagnosed with lactose intolerance. Dairy makes her sick but she can eat lactose-free dairy products without issue. Is there something else that should be explored, or is my child a rare one year old with true lactose intolerance?

Answer:

It may be that your child had a viral intestinal infection that has left her temporarily lactose intolerant.

If she is otherwise growing well and has no abdominal pain, flatulence, or diarrhea when on a diet excluding only lactose then it's quite unlikely that something else is going on.

It may or may not help but will certainly not harm her to try adding a probiotic to her diet for a month or two and then trying lactose-containing foods again. Start with a small amount of lactose.

Check with your pediatrician if she continues to have these episodes of gastrointestinal distress.

Related Questions

Question
  • Calcium for Lactose-Intolerant Pregnant Women
    I don't like and can't tolerate milk and dairy products. How can I add calcium to my diet during pregnancy?
  • Symptoms of Food Allergies
    How can I know if I have a lagging reaction to a specific food?
  • Calcium Sources for Lactose Intolerant
    How can I get enough calcium when I am lactose intolerant?
  • Celiac Disease and Lactose Intolerance: Can enzymes help?
    I just purchased a gluten lactase enzyme medication that claims to let me eat anything safely. I have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease, and also feel lactose intolerant. Will this product work, or did I just waste my money?
  • Lactose Intolerance and Goat Cheese
    Does goat cheese contain lactose? If I am lactose intolerant, is it safe to eat?

Back to Children's Health

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

  • Contact Us
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Book Appointment
  • Request Medical Records
  • Donate Now
Sign in to My Health Online

Billing and Insurance

  • Pay a Bill
  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Estimate Costs
  • Medicare Advantage

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Community Benefit
  • Annual Report
  • News and Media

Our Team

  • For Employees
  • For Medical Professionals
  • For Vendors
  • For Volunteers

Careers

  • Jobs at Sutter
  • Physician Jobs
  • Graduate Medical Education

Copyright © 2023 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

  • ADA Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • LinkedIn Opens new window
  • YouTube Opens new window
  • Facebook Opens new window
  • Twitter Opens new window
  • Instagram Opens new window
  • Glassdoor Opens new window

Cookie Policy

We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences