lactose or milk intolerance?

[tinytatsmom]

my 8 wk ds who has had diarrhea on and off from about 4wks is now having issues feeding but only at some feeds.  We have him on lf formula as dd was lactose intolerant.  NOw he has started fussing at feedings especially the last feed of the day.  He typically goes 3-4 hours and will take 5-6ozs.  He wakes once in the night and finishes a whole bottle.  At his last feed he may take 2 ozs but he fusses like he would take more.  This morning he woke at 3 ate 5 or 6 ozs and then when he woke at 7am he didn't want to eat.  Tried again at 8 with no luck.  Dr suggested he is fussing at feeds b/c of a milk intolerance but he didn't like the alimentum and took only 3 ozs or so.  after 2 days on that we went back to the lf because he seemed horribly gassy and had been up all night.  So what is the difference in symptoms between lactose intolerance and milk intolerance?  Should a formula fed baby have very loose stools or should they be more formed?  He seems to eat a fair bit according to the feeding chart but he is a big baby, probably 13+lbs at 8wks.  Help!

[Mashi]

Well, one thing that I do know is that lactose intolerance is incredibly rare in babies, while milk intolerance/allergy is very common. So, for that reason alone, I almost always suspect milk over lactose.  Babies can have temporary problems in breaking down lactose after a tummy bug, as the enzyme (lactase, I believe) that breaks down lactose is very low when suffering from a virus and it can take a few weeks to build back up. 

I do believe that symptoms are fairly similar.  Most babies do NOT like the taste of hypoallergenic formula, it's quite bitter and I'm sure you can tell from the smell that it is very different than regular formula.  It will take him a while to get used to it but do persevere.  We mixed our regular formula with the hypoallergenic stuff for AGES before DS drank a full bottle of it - we just decided that getting him used to it slowly and dealing with the milk problem was better than pushing it on him and having him not eat, be hungry, etc etc. Your LO will eventually get used to the taste and believe it or not, ENJOY his milk once it is no longer upsetting his system and he is used to the taste.

Could be a lactose problem, but my first instinct is to stick with the Alimentum if your doc is suspecting a milk intolerance. 

[Spectra]

I agree with mashimaro.  I think I'd try slowly adding the Alimentum to his lf formula.  Like if he drinks usually 8 oz:: the first day do 1 oz of Alimentum to 7 oz lf formula, next day 2 oz Alimentum to 6oz formula, or go even slower.  I had to do the same thing.  I hate the smell of Alimentum!

Usually if their stools are loose, mucousy, runny, it could be a sign of milk protein intolerance.  Other signs are blood in stool, eczema, colicky, runny nose, a lot like allergy symptoms.  I would try again with the Alimentum, and maybe go slow, and try sticking it out for a couple of weeks to see if it helps. 

[tinytatsmom]

Thanks ladies!  Today we started using Nutramigen and we mixed it 50/50 with his lactose free formula.  he ate consistantly every 3.5hrs and took most of his bottles.  Some days he would go 5 or 6 hrs and take 2 ozs at his evening bottle even though he acted like he wanted more.  His last bottle tonight he did fuss slightly but not til over half way thru.  Huge improvement.  Stools are much better as well and he seems more content.  he always was pretty content except some of his feeds.  I plan on staying on the 50/50 mix for a wk or so b/c next wk he goes for his immunizations.

[Spectra]

Oh that's so good!!  Yay!