What are the most important tips that you need to know about managing lactose intolerance in kids?

Lactose intolerance is a very common digestive issue among children that affects their ability to properly digest lactose, which is a sugar found in milk and dairy products. Typically, this particular situation is not at all dangerous, but it will lead to a lot of discomfort in the area, stomach cramps, gas and bloating. For the parents, managing children with lactose intolerance could be very challenging, specifically when dairy is a big part of your daily diet. However, with the help of the right approach and guidance of doctors at gastroenterology Hospital for children in Pune you will be able to successfully get things done on the right track. The following are the most important practical tips that you need to take very seriously for effectively navigating lactose intolerance in kids while ensuring proper nutrition and a balanced lifestyle.

1. Understanding the condition: Before making any kind of dietary changes, it is very important for you to understand the condition in depth so that you can confirm the basic symptoms very easily, and the digestive issues in this case will be eliminated. Consulting the paediatric gastroenterologist will be all about diagnosing the issue very accurately, and further, the lactose intolerance testing has to be carried out in this case to avoid any kind of problem. This particular condition is very different from the milk allergy, which is the main reason that you should never confuse the two, and further protecting your overall immune system will be highly recommended to avoid any kind of problem. Understanding the basic differences in managing the diet appropriately is important to avoid any issues.
2. It is important to identify the symptoms: Some of the common symptoms associated with lactose intolerance include abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence and diarrhoea shortly after consuming dairy products. Recognising all of these symptoms will be very important for you so that there is no scope for any kind of problem, and further, there is no adverse effect on the school performance and quality of life of the kids. Encouraging older children to communicate clearly about how they feel after consuming meals is important so that you can successfully identify trigger items without any problem at any point in time. 
3. It is important to read the labels very carefully: Many of the processed food items will have hidden sources of lactose, and further checking the ingredient list before purchasing any food item is important, specifically in the case of kids. Some of the non-dairy products, including the breads, salad dressing and baked goods, will have lactose, which is the main reason that you need to take such aspects very seriously right from the beginning. Developing the habit of reading the food labels before actually purchasing them is important, and additionally, some of the online applications and resources will also be helpful for you to identify the lactose-containing products very easily. 
4. Introducing the lactose-free alternatives: Another very important practical tip for the parents to be undertaken with the help of DR Best, paediatric gastroenterologist in Pune is to introduce the lactose-free alternatives to the kids. All of these products will have the lactose removed and broken down in such a manner that it will be safe for consumption by children who are facing this problem. Additionally, providing the kids with plant milk-based alternatives like almond milk, soy milk, and rice milk is a very good option, so that you can get things done on the right track very easily. Additionally, you need to make sure that everything has been fortified with calcium and vitamin D to support the bone health of your kids.
5. It is important to ensure appropriate nutrition for kids: Milk and dairy products are a significant source of calcium, protein and vitamin D because all of these nutrients are very important for the growth of kids. At the time of eliminating and introducing dairy products to your kids that it is very important for you to plan the alternative sources, including leafy green vegetables, fortified orange juice, tofu and soya products, along with salmon and other associated things. All such aspects will help you make sure that there will be no compromise over the calcium and vitamin D at any point in time, and additionally, providing your kids with supplements is important in this case to avoid any kind of problem.
6. Using the lactose enzyme supplements: Another very important thing that you need to take very seriously is to provide your kids with a small amount of lactose with appropriate supplements as recommended by doctors. Such supplements will be helpful in breaking down the lactose in the digestive tract very easily, and are further available in suitable or liquid form. This will be very helpful in terms of making sure that whenever you have to attend any event or function then there will be no chance of any kind of problem, because avoiding dairy products hundred percent could be impossible in such cases. So, consulting with the doctors before introducing such supplements to your kids is important, so that dosage and suitability can be determined without any hassle. 
7. Experimenting with the level of tolerance: The degree and intensity of the lactose intolerance will be different from one child to another one and some of the children will be tolerating very small amounts of lactose or certain dairy products better than others. So, for example, providing your kids with yoghurt and cheese is a very good decision because all of these options are easier to digest and will further provide you with a clear idea about the tolerance intensity and degree. By gradually introducing the dairy products in a small amount and observing the response of your child’s body is important for you to you can identify which of the items are suitable in which of the items are not.

Additionally, to confidently face the entire situation it is very much important for you to remain in touch with the famous paediatric neurologist in Hyderabad so that you can provide your kids with the best of the facilities at all times and for you will be able to educate and empower your kids in addition to remain positive and provide them with sets of control. So, by being clear about the above-mentioned practical tips, you will be able to enjoy the majority of the food items very easily, but proceeding with some mindful changes is important so that you can enjoy easy management of your kid’s condition.