Lactose free whole milk question??

Question

My son has had problems with regular whole milk so he has been switched to Lactose free whole milk. (the brand is Lactaid)

Is he getting everything from it that he would be getting from regular whole milk?

Thanks (:

Answer 1

Everything but the lactose!

Answer 2

Yep, lactose-free milk is as good as normal milk. I've never had any problems with it nutritionally or for cooking.

Answer 3

yes, it's just been sent through this machine that spins the milk like 50 times instead of 3-4 times like regular milk

Answer 4

Yes.  Also, be careful when cooking with this kind of milk.  Recipes turn out weird (e.g. Mac N Cheese).  

Answer 5

Generally speaking lactose intolerance in children under 3 is caused by a separate condition such as an allergy, intolerance, or illness.  True primary lactose intolerance of infancy is rare and causes failure to thrive at birth unless a baby is started on lactose-free formula at birth (which is not usually done because lactose-free formulas are less safe than other formulas).  Infant primary lactose intolerance is not related to adult lactose intolerance which is a common condition caused by a normal loss of the enzyme needed to digest lactose after the biologic age of weaning.  In children under 2 is is always advisable to rule out all other causes of lactose intolerance.

Lactaid milk is normal cow's milk, with regulated additives including vitamins A and D, that also has a natural enzyme added to break down the lactose into simpler sugars -which is what happens in a normal digestive system.  The milk is not "spun" its basically predigested.  It tastes somewhat sweeter than regular milk.

In theory because lactaid milk contains the same sugars that your body would normally make out of lactose it is the same as consuming milk.

http://www.lactaid.com/products/index.jh...

LACTAID® Milk is real milk that is 100% lactose-free! It’s great-tasting, farm-fresh milk with a natural enzyme added to break down the lactose

http://www.lactaid.com/lactose/index.jht...

Lactose intolerance usually is caused by lactase deficiency rather than the complete absence of lactase. Congenital lactase deficiency is rare.

http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/lac...

Primary lactose intolerance (also called developmental, late-onset or adult lactose intolerance) is relatively common in adults (and more common in some nationalities than others), and is caused by a slow decrease in the body's production of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose (milk sugar). This occurs gradually, over a period of years, and never appears before 2-5 years old and often not until young adulthood. Almost all adults who are lactose intolerant have this type of lactose intolerance, which is not related to lactose intolerance in babies.

Congenital lactose intolerance and similar congenital disorders

    * Congenital lactose intolerance is very rare and is an inherited metabolic disorder rather than an allergy. This disorder is generally apparent within a few days after birth and is characterized by severe diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration and failure to thrive. It resolves after the age of six months.

    * A similar, less severe, metabolic disorder is congenital lactase deficiency. This disorder, apparent within 10 days of birth, occurs when brush-border lactase activity (required for the digestion of lactose) in the small intestine is low or absent at birth and is characterized by diarrhea and malabsorption. It is also very rare.

    * Galactosemia is another rare metabolic disorder that occurs when the liver enzyme GALT, needed to break down galactose, is partially or completely absent. Although this disorder does not directly concern lactose, babies with the more severe forms of galactosemia will not be able to tolerate any lactose since lactose is formed from the two sugars galactose and glucose. The classical form of galactosemia is characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice and failure to thrive within a few days after birth.

    * Some premature babies have a temporary form of lactose intolerance because their bodies are not yet producing lactase. This will go away as baby matures, and in fact the maturation process can be accelerated by baby's ingestion of lactose.

Secondary lactose intolerance (also called acquired lactose intolerance) can appear at any age and occurs when the intestinal brush border is damaged by an infectious, allergic or inflammatory process, thus reducing lactase activity. Causes of secondary lactose intolerance include gastroenteritis, food intolerance or allergy, celiac disease (gluten intolerance), and bowel surgery. Per Joy Anderson, IBCLC (in Lactose intolerance and the breastfed baby):

http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/l...

   Congenital Alactasia is an extremely rare condition whereby babies are born without any lactase (the enzyme needed to break down milk sugars), making human milk unsuitable for the baby, precluding breastfeeding. These babies must be fed a special lactose-free formula to survive (soya formula, or dairy based but lactose free).

http://www.cryingoverspiltmilk.co.nz/Foo...

In infants and young children: -

Congenital Alactasia is an extremely rare condition whereby babies are born without any lactase (the enzyme needed to break down milk sugars), making human milk unsuitable for the baby, precluding breastfeeding. These babies must be fed a special lactose-free formula to survive (soya formula, or dairy based but lactose free).

Functional Lactase Deficiency describes a thriving breastfed baby who has multiple loose watery stools. The baby may be irritable and may pass flatus frequently. Low fat feeds result in rapid gastric emptying leading to large quantities of lactose being presented for digestion. Thus the ability of lactase to digest the lactose may be overwhelmed. The amount of fat being consumed at any feed should therefore be maximised to delay gastric emptying. This can best be achieved by optimising hind milk intake by:

• Encouraging the infant to finish the first breast before offering the second breast.

• Spacing feeds. Aim for three hours between feeds. If the baby demands again in less than this time offer the "empty" breast again.

As lactose is the main form of carbohydrate in all mammalian milks (including human milk), lactose production at the breast occurs independently of dietary changes. Reducing the amount of lactose in the diet of a breastfeeding mother does not alter lactose production at the breast. It is present at a constant level throughout a feed and throughout a day.

Primary acquired lactase deficiency is an age-related condition and occurs after weaning and before the age of six years. Young children with this form of lactase deficiency should not eat any foods containing lactose; weaned infants require a lactose free formula (soya formula, or dairy based but lactose free).

Secondary acquired lactose intolerance occurs as a result of damage to the small intestinal mucosa that commonly in infants is due to gastro-enteritis. This is treated by the introduction of a lactose free formula to the infant's diet.

Depending on the severity of the illness partial breastfeeding may still be possible. If the infant has recently had gastro-enteritis average recovery time is four weeks. Weekly challenges with breast milk should be attempted until it becomes tolerated.