Hi, I have to put my baby on Lactose free formula. I was just wondering what is the best type. I have started her on the S26 Lactose free, but the Karicare De-Lact is cheaper. Can anyone tell me if its the same or give me any feedback to what you use.
Thanks heaps
Melissa

Hello, my bub was on the S26 lactose free from birth to 6 months - after that, I put her on the S26 step 2 normal formula.
Her tummy had seem to adjust so she didn't need to be on lactose free after 6 months.

I found the S26 lactose free to be great.... I had tried Karicare but it seemed to "heavy" for her... All babies are different, but the S26 suited my baby just fine.

Hi Mellymouse and Kittensmum, my bubba boy is on S26 LF and it's been great for him. I didn't try any others because i was just so pleased that it was staying down (he had reflux as well). I've been thinking of trying him out on the step 2 so I might follow your lead kittensmum. Harry seems to be tolerating all his solids and i'm hoping the lactose intolerence might be something he grows out of.

Good luck mellymouse and thanks for the hint Kittensmum.

Lucy

I used the s26 lactose free formula for my DD from 6 months old. I tried the Karicare one but didn't like it (cant remember why as it was 18 months ago!) and remember being told once that they are made of different things - sorry about the lack of detail!! I would stay with the s26. We now use lactose free milk and yoghurt for her.

Thanks for everyone's help! I feel relieved that we share the same views. I have my daughter on the s26 and she is a completely different baby.

Thanks again for everyone's feedback!

Hi Mellmouse, just wondering how everything is going??My DD had a tummy bug and after that her poos were just terrible, she hadn't got any better for 10days anyhoo doc said lactose free so I did, then 2 weeks later she said back to normal. I nearly pulled my hair out all the conflicting advice.
A midwife said I was doing the right thing keeping her on lactose free, s26 and see how she goes on milk solids, she has been great.
She also said that if we had her tested to see if she was really lactose intolerant and if yes we could get her formula cheaper, just something to think about.
I hope all is well!!!

Hi Melissa,
My son also needed a Lactose free formula. He used the S26 Lactose free one. You can go to your GP and get this on prescription. Make sure your GP looks into it as my first GP just said no straight away. I had a different doctor next time bub had his needles and I asked again. This new doctor looked into it for me and was able to give me a prescription for this. She had to ring someone to get an approval number to do the prescription. The prescription was valid for 5 repeats (only available until he was 12 months old). Five tins per prescription. So over all 25 tins with the repeats. Worked out around $6.60 per tin instead of up to $27 per tin depending on where you went. This saved us so much money.
Hope this helps smile
Vanessa

my son was on karicare delact formula until about a 2 weeks ago when his doctor advised us to take him off it so she could do another poo test to confirm his lactose intolerance. I was told by my doc that ALOT of parents think there child is lactose intolerant and that true lactose intolerance occurs in only 3% of those cases. Best thing to do is go to your doc get a poo test done, then your doc can give you an authorisation script for 5 cans for $34.. I dont think it really matters what type of lactose free formula bub has, as long as they are truely lactose intolerant(or have been unwell and advised to be put on it for several weeks while there gut returns to normal)...

I have 2 children that are genuinely lactose intolerant with a milk protein intolerance too. This means that although the lactose free formulas provide great relief for them, they are still not totally great. My now 2 year old grew out of the lactose intolerance at about 18 months but still has problems every time he is on antibiotics and if he gets a tummy bug. Sometimes his poo is like wet weetbix and is foul smelling too. I have found that giving him inner health plus for kids helps enormously with the toddler - and I substitute cows milk for lactose free milk in cartons - but he actually prefers water and juice to milk now - though he loves cheese and yoghurt.
The 6 month old is another story. Lactose free formulas give some relief but she still has foul reflux and is constipated from the formula. I even (after diagnosis) found that she could not tolerate the prescription formula Neocate. Astonishingly she is most comfortable on the S26 Soy Formula - and although it constipates her - she is very comfortable - all I have to do is make sure she has a bottle of water during the day and that softens her poo enormously. So - in summary - for formula for babies - go the S26 Soy as a lactose free option. I found that her reflux also dropped considerably. Yes - it does constipate them - but all lactose free formulas do for varying degrees. But you can counteract that with giving more water. Good luck I hope this helps.