Lactose intolerance is poorly understood in the Australian community. There are lots of myths and misunderstandings about it, especially when it comes to babies.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, gas, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

Lactose intolerance is a condition when your body cant break down a carbohydrate (sugar) called lactose which is present in cows milk, human breast milk, or any other milk from a mammal.

Lactase is an enzyme, or chemical, which the body uses to digest the sugar in milk(lactose). If there is not enough lactase, undigested milk sugar gets into the large bowel and may cause gut pains and diarrhoea. This is called lactose intolerance.

Find out more about lactose intolerance and milk allergies in babies and children, including the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

Lactose intolerance symptoms in babies include runny poo and a red bottom. In kids and teens, symptoms include wind, tummy pain and bloating. See your GP.

Lactose is the natural sugar found in milk, including breastmilk and formula. It is found in different amounts in all dairy products and any processed foods which contain milk. It is broken down to simpler sugars in the small bowel, by the enzyme lactase.

Many parents, particularly mothers, talked about what it was like caring for a baby. Feeding and settling (sleeping and crying) were key issues which often posed significant challenges for many new parents.

RISA Inc is a non profit community group that offers support to families of infants and children who suffer from gastro-oesophageal reflux and its complications. It is run by reflux families for the benefit of reflux families, and has done so since 1982.

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