Lactose intolerance in babies can be painful. It is the body’s inability to properly process or metabolize lactose due to a lack of enzymes in the digestive system. Lactose is a type of sugar found in mammalian milk. In utero, babies can develop lactose intolerance if the mother consumes a nutritionally imbalanced diet, which affects healthy production of enzymes, consequently affecting the development of the baby’s digestive system. There are easy and non-invasive ways to test for lactose intolerance in babies.
Check the stool for blood and mucus. Blood may appear light pink or deep red in color. Using gloves, separate the stool to check for mucus.
Get a stool acidity test, which measures the amount of acid in the stool. Undigested lactose in the colon creates lactic acid.
Check for rashes on the face, the front and back of the neck, the stomach and abdomen, toes and all over. Rashes may appear dry, wet, raised, irritated and itchy. Check for a breakout of bumps on the body.
Gently apply 1/2 tsp. of milk on the abdominal area and note any breakouts within four to six hours.
Crying may indicate pain in the digestive system. Be conscious of crying immediately or two to three hours after milk feeding. Listen for gas sounds in the stomach and intestines.
Self-test by feeding your baby 1 oz. of milk on an empty stomach, noting any digestive upsets that occur within two to four hours. Repeat two more times in a 24-hour period, if necessary.
Enzyme Therapy is a muscle palpation technique administered on the body and feet to test the enzyme status throughout the body. The right enzymes can be placed back into the body with the aid of this process. Recommended for mom and baby, Enzyme Therapy helps to repair the digestive system and process a limited or full dose of lactose. Cow, goat, and bottled milk may still pose a challenge to digest.
Continued breastfeeding is encouraged; however, you may need to decrease or eliminate dairy, sugar and fats from your diet and include the appropriate enzymes, as your baby is directly affected by what you eat.
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to promote a healthy body and emotions. This method helps to soothe the digestive system. Add three drops of sweet orange essential oil to one teaspoon of canola oil and apply it in a clockwise motion on your baby’s digestive system. Rub the oil in the palms of of your hands; start applying it under baby’s left breast, moving down the left side of the body, across the abdomen, including the belly button, up the right side of the body, under the right breast and then to the left breast.
As a physical upset can be directly connected to an emotional upset, lactose intolerance may also indicate a challenge with processing change and sadness.
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here to learn more about Aromatherapy and Enzyme Therapy. To schedule a private session in either modality to address lactose intolerance, email Nicole at NicoleATucker@aol.com.
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