Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Does Vomiting And Diarrhea After Taking Formula Milk Indicate Lactose Intolerance?
Question: Hello,
My twin kids are 4.5 months old. They are on formula milk. Unable to digest milk based formula (like lactodex, dexolac etc.). They are now on zerolac. We tried to feed them with half a spoon of 'nusobee casein' but that resulted into severe vomiting and diarrhea. They are now again on zerolac. My queries are (1) Is this lactose intolerance or is it milk protein allergy ? (2) What foods can now be given to them as they are almost 5 months old and will require foods other than Zerolac.
My twin kids are 4.5 months old. They are on formula milk. Unable to digest milk based formula (like lactodex, dexolac etc.). They are now on zerolac. We tried to feed them with half a spoon of 'nusobee casein' but that resulted into severe vomiting and diarrhea. They are now again on zerolac. My queries are (1) Is this lactose intolerance or is it milk protein allergy ? (2) What foods can now be given to them as they are almost 5 months old and will require foods other than Zerolac.
Brief Answer:
Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA)
Detailed Answer:
Hi...I went through the history points you have provided in detail -
After reading your query and before seeing the discharge summaries - I was expecting that there should have been a history of cow's milk and formula feed (this too contains cow's milk protein) given to the baby. I feel that your baby is having cow's milk protein allergy. Unusually babies grow out of this sort of allergy by 1 year of age.
My suggestions for you -
1. Mother should go off cow's milk protein completely. This means that you should avoid consumption of anything and everything related to cow's milk - like - milk/ curds/ ghee/ butter milk/ chocolates/ biscuits/ ice creams etc. Even while buying commercial food products, you need to see the ingredients and if they contain milk - do not consume them.
2. Feed you baby only exclusive breast feeds till 6 months of age and then start rice based feeds.
3. If this is followed scrupulously - the baby will stop having diarrhoea in another 3-4 days and then start gaining weight too.
4. If you feel your feeds alone are inadequate for the baby, then Zerolac is the only option till 6 months age.
I request you to keep me posted about the recovery of the baby and follow of the case.
Regards – Dr. Sumanth
Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA)
Detailed Answer:
Hi...I went through the history points you have provided in detail -
After reading your query and before seeing the discharge summaries - I was expecting that there should have been a history of cow's milk and formula feed (this too contains cow's milk protein) given to the baby. I feel that your baby is having cow's milk protein allergy. Unusually babies grow out of this sort of allergy by 1 year of age.
My suggestions for you -
1. Mother should go off cow's milk protein completely. This means that you should avoid consumption of anything and everything related to cow's milk - like - milk/ curds/ ghee/ butter milk/ chocolates/ biscuits/ ice creams etc. Even while buying commercial food products, you need to see the ingredients and if they contain milk - do not consume them.
2. Feed you baby only exclusive breast feeds till 6 months of age and then start rice based feeds.
3. If this is followed scrupulously - the baby will stop having diarrhoea in another 3-4 days and then start gaining weight too.
4. If you feel your feeds alone are inadequate for the baby, then Zerolac is the only option till 6 months age.
I request you to keep me posted about the recovery of the baby and follow of the case.
Regards – Dr. Sumanth
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
