Lactose Free Weaning Diet Information
(To be used with the “Lactose Free Formula Milk - Useful Information” sheet)
Lactose in breast milk is usually well tolerated and breast feeding should be encouraged. Standard
formulas are made from cow’s milk and contain lactose. Some babies do not tolerate the lactose in
these standard formulas. Lactose intolerance in infants is usually a short-term problem often
coinciding with colic or following gastroenteritis and usually lasts for 2 – 8 weeks. Symptoms
usually include loose, green, watery, smelly stools with lots of wind. Lactose free formula can be
helpful to control these symptoms whilst the gut recovers. A small number of infants have a longer
term problem with lactose. A lactose free diet should not be followed for longer than 3
months without being reviewed by a Health Visitor, Doctor or Dietitian.
Weaning
Solid food should be introduced by 6 months of age (not before 17 weeks of age).
Start with a few teaspoons once/twice a day of baby rice, puréed plain fruit and/or vegetables.
Gradually increase the amount and range to include foods from the ‘allowed’ list overleaf. From 6
months onwards introduce eggs, fish, meat, citrus fruit and cereals with gluten (bread, pasta,
rusks, biscuits, cakes). When weaning your baby they should drink 600ml (16- 20 oz) a day of a
lactose-free formula to receive sufficient nutrients (especially calcium).
From 7 months, gradually increase texture of food to mashed consistency and finger foods. Do not
add sugar or salt to your baby’s food. Honey should not be given until 1 year of age. By 1 year of
age, most infants can manage to eat chopped up family meals.
Cooking
Lactose free infant formula or lactose free cow’s milk (Lactofree TM and supermarket own brand)
can be used in cooking. As long as there are no other allergies you could also use other milk
substitutes in cooking such as soya milks, nut milks, coconut milk and oat milk (rice milk should
NOT be used for children under 5 years).
Can I give other drinks?
Until 1 year old the main drink for your baby needs to be lactose-free formula and/or breast milk. If
other drinks are needed then it is best to give water. Baby juices are not necessary and they could
encourage your baby to have a sweet tooth. You should take extra care to brush your baby’s
teeth, lactose free formulas contain glucose (sugar). Always clean your baby’s teeth after the last
feed at night.
Food labelling:
Manufactured products often have milk added. Products have to state if they contain milk.
Ingredients to be avoided include: Milk sugar, Casein / Caseinates, Yogurt, Demineralised whey,
Non – fat milk solids, Whey / hydrolysed whey, Milk solids, Soft cheeses, Lactose, Milk (goats,
cows, sheep), Milk powder/skimmed milk powder, Butter.
Date of publication: May 2012
updated August 2015
Date for review: August 2017
© Bedford Hospital NHS Trust
Nutrition & Dietetics, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust, Kempston Road, Bedford,
MK42 9DJ. 01234 792 171 [email protected]
Foods Allowed
Foods to Avoid
All plain fruit and vegetables.
Vegetables mixed with sauces (made from
lactose free milk). Fruit mixed with soya
yoghurt, soya cream, soya desserts, or
custard (made from lactose free milk).
All baby jars/packets/rusks which state
‘milk/lactose free’
Fruit mixed with ordinary
yoghurt/custard/cream/ice-cream
Vegetables mixed with sauces made from cow’s
milk.
Meat / fish /eggs /
pulses
Plain meat/fish/eggs/pulses or in sauce
made with lactose free milk.
Meat/fish/eggs/pulses in sauces made from cow’s
milk
Dairy products
Lactose free infant formula, soya yoghurts
and desserts, soya milk can be used in
cooking.
Hard cheese* e.g. Cheddar, Edam, Dairyfree or Vegan foods e.g. Pure Spread,
supermarket own dairy-free brand spread.
Cows, goats and sheep milk and any products
made from these. Soft cheese e.g. cheese spread,
cream cheese, mozzarella, ice-cream, cream,
yoghurts.
Milk chocolate, chocolate spread.
Bread (if not made with milk)
Pasta in milk-free sauce, Rice, Oats,Flour,
Breakfast cereals (if milk/lactose free,
e.g.rice krisipes, cornflakes, weetabix)
(check label)
Biscuits/cakes if milk-free
Bread made with milk or cheese
Pasta in milk based sauces
Fruit &
Vegetables
Baby jars / packets
* lactose is removed
during the maturing
process in hard
cheeses
Cereals
All baby jars/packets/rusks which do not state ‘
milk/lactose free’
Breakfast cereal which contain milk or chocolate.
Biscuits/cakes that contain milk
How long does my baby need a lactose free diet?
After 2 – 8 weeks the gut has usually recovered and can tolerate lactose again. Reintroducing
lactose slowly can see if recovery has occurred. Firstly make sure your baby is well, feeding as
usual, has normal stools (poo), and no changes to medications. Avoid introducing anything else
new in their diet at the same time.
If your infant is over 6 months start reintroducing lactose in their food, and then reintroduce a
standard (ordinary) formula. Use the charts below to guide reintroduction. If there are symptoms
then stop, and go back to the previously tolerated amount of lactose. Try to progress
reintroduction again in another 2-8 weeks.
Give food containing lactose in
small amounts as part of a
meal, e.g. milk on breakfast
cereal, cheese sauce on
vegetables or dessert of yogurt
/ ice cream
Infants and children over 6 months
Day 1 and 2
Day 3 and 4
Day 5 and 6
Once daily
Twice daily
Three times
daily
Day 6 onward
Resume normal diet containing
lactose.
Standard formula can now be
gradually reintroduced (follow
direction below)
If your infant is under 6 months, start reintroducing lactose into their formula milk. Use the charts
below to guide reintroduction. If there are symptoms stop and go back to the previously tolerated
amount of lactose. Try to progress reintroduction again in another 2-8 weeks.
To gradually increase standard formula and reduce lactose free formula, follow these steps:
Day 1 and 2 :
Day 3 and 4:
Day 5 onward:
Add 30mls (1oz) standard formula per bottle of Lactose free formula.
Make up each bottle with half lactose free formula and half standard formula.
Use just standard formula