Answer: Milk intolerance can be related to the baby’s intolerance to cow’s milk protein; they don’t thrive, can vomit, may have rashes and even more severe reactions if they have a true allergy. Babies with lactose intolerance tend to have frequent watery, explosive motions, a distended abdomen, fail to thrive, don’t gain weight and are very miserable. Either way, the baby is not settled and calm, does not gain weight and is very difficult to manage. If milk intolerance runs in your family, your baby is of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Chinese or Indigenous descent then they may be genetically more likely to have problems with digesting milk. It is very rare for babies to be intolerant to their mother’s breast milk.
Reflux is related to gut immaturity; all babies reflux but a very small minority need medication. With age and time, most babies outgrow reflux. The sphincter at the end of the oesophagus (feeding tube) tends to be lax and not able to keep the stomach contents in the stomach so they reflux back up the oesophagus and cause the baby pain. Re-swallowing, back arching and crying are common symptoms.
I hope this helps to answer your query. Do check with your CHN regarding ongoing monitoring of your baby.
Cheers
Jane