Lactose Overload

Unfortunately though, the widely taught practices of feeding from both breasts in one sitting, in quick succession, or cluster feeding creates lactose overload for our newborns, as does overfeeding, and too much sugar in the breastfeeding diet. Not only because the amount of lactose the child receives is too much, but also because these feeding practices push the milk through the digestive tract too quickly, which doesn’t allow enough time for the lactose to be broken down appropriately in the small intestines by the lactase enzyme.

Behaviours indicating overload can happen at any time, with frequency generally lessening when solids are introduced. Because lactose is found in dairy products, Lactose Overload is often wrongly labelled as Dairy Overload, but these are two different things. Dairy Overload happens from a digestive imbalance of casein, whey and/or fat and you can read more about that here.

Lactose Intolerance (aka Congenital or developmental lactose intolerance) 

In very rare instances, some newborns are born with the serious but rare condition of Lactose Intolerance. , This is genetic condition, or can be experienced when born prematurely, with this passing soon after birth.  Lactose intolerance occurs when your baby naturally produces minimal to no lactase and therefore cannot break down the lactose. This, unlike Lactose Overload, sees a newborn failing to gain weight. A screening of the stool or a hydrogen breath test through your GP is needed to diagnose this.