Lactose is a type of sugar commonly found in many baby formula brands. However, depending on their physical condition, many children cannot absorb it and suffer from nutritional deficiencies. So let AVAKids introduce you to some formulas for babies with lactose intolerance!

Understanding Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is a condition in which a child’s intestinal lining does not secrete or secretes very little lactase – an enzyme that converts lactose into two simple sugars, glucose and galactose, which are easily absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestinal lining.

Therefore, when lactose is not digested and absorbed, it is stored in the colon and interacts with the bacteria inside. This is the cause of lactose intolerance commonly seen in children along with a few related problems.

When experiencing lactose intolerance, children often exhibit some easily recognizable symptoms:

• Abdominal rumbling, bloating.
• Diarrhea, loose stools, sour smell and foam.
• Arched back, curled limbs, abdominal discomfort.
• Vomiting, fussiness, etc.

The nature of lactose intolerance

1.1. Causes of lactose intolerance in children

Lactose intolerance in each child will be different and due to many subjective and objective causes. Therefore, to overcome this situation, mothers need to understand the following causes to find appropriate treatment solutions.

• Lactose deficiency: When lactose is not digested, it enters the colon and is broken down by bacteria, causing symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and digestive disorders.
• Damage to the small intestine: After illness, injury or surgery, the small intestine will have reduced lactase. Treating these conditions may help increase lactase and reduce lactose intolerance symptoms.
• Congenital: Usually due to autosomal recessive inheritance, when the child receives a gene variant from both parents. Or due to premature birth, when the body has not yet developed lactase.

Solutions for children with lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance caused by medical conditions can be treated to improve lactose digestion, but it takes a long time. Mothers can try referring to a diet of low-lactose foods below to contribute to treating this condition in children:

• Reduce milk and dairy products.
• Eat dairy with other foods.
• Choose low-lactose ice cream and milk.
• Add lactase enzyme to milk to break down lactose.

Criteria for choosing formula for children with lactose intolerance

Formula for lactose-intolerant children is milk that has been reduced in lactose or supplemented with lactase enzyme to help children digest easily. When choosing formula for children with lactose intolerance, mothers should pay attention to the following criteria:

• Mothers should choose lactose-free milk for children from newborns to 3 years old and formula with nutrients suitable for their child’s needs.
• Formula containing adequate nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, DHA, ARA, taurine, nucleotides,… to supplement the child with essential substances for comprehensive development.
• Choose formula with a clear, reputable origin, ensuring quality and safety for the child’s health.
• To completely overcome lactose intolerance in children, mothers need to let their children use lactose-free formula for a long time. Therefore, to ensure sufficient conditions, mothers should only buy milk at a price that is suitable for the family’s finances.

Top 12 Lactose-Free Formulas

1. Enfamil A+ Lactofree Care

Enfamil A+ Lactofree Care is a product of the Enfa milk brand belonging to Mead Johnson, established in 1905 in the United States. Mead Johnson is famous for its high-quality nutritional products specializing in pregnant women, infants and young children.

Product highlights:

• Enfamil A+ Lactofree Care with isolated milk protein and a blend of vegetable fats is specially formulated for children who often have diarrhea due to lactose intolerance.
• The formula effectively develops the baby’s brain and vision thanks to the added DHA and ARA, thereby increasing thinking, perception and exploration of the surrounding world.
• All nutrients contained in the milk are easily absorbed and suitable for the immature digestive system of children, so that children can achieve balanced development, be healthier and smarter.

2. NAN Expert Pro Lactose Free

NAN Expert Pro Lactose Free is also a milk brand from Nestlé NAN in Switzerland. This product is the top choice of many parents with children who are lactose intolerant, helping to reduce osmotic diarrhea in children.

Product highlights:

• The formula provides essential nutrients for children from 0 – 3 years old such as DHA, ARA, calcium, vitamin D, nucleotides,… helping children develop healthy and comprehensively.
• L.Reuteri can be converted into substances with high antibacterial properties, while supporting the balance of the microflora and strengthening the immune system.
• Contributes to strengthening immunity, helping the body adapt to changes in the surrounding environment, supporting digestive system activity.

3. Similac Total Comfort

Similac Total Comfort is a formula from the Similac brand of Abbott – USA. After more than 100 years of establishment and development, Abbott’s nutritional products still hold many advantages in the market and are recommended by many leading nutrition experts worldwide.

Product highlights:

• Similac Total Comfort 1 formula is for children from 0 – 12 months old.
• With the Tummy Care nutrient system containing prebiotics to support digestive improvement and help children absorb nutrients easily.
• The partially hydrolyzed whey protein content in milk along with a palm oil-free fat blend increases the absorption of calcium and DHA, providing children with comprehensive development.
• The product supports enhancing resistance in children thanks to the 2′-FL HMO and nucleotide nutrient system, helping children stay healthy and effectively repel diseases.

4. Similac Isomil IQ 1

Similac Isomil IQ 1 belongs to Similac – a formula brand from the famous Abbott corporation in the United States. With excellent quality and affordable prices, Similac milk products have held a leading position in the field of nutrition for infants and young children worldwide for nearly 100 years.

Similac Isomil IQ 1

Product highlights: 

• Similac Isomil IQ 1 contains processed soy protein suitable for children allergic to cow’s milk protein and intolerant to lactose, helping children improve their digestive system and limit related problems, while effectively absorbing nutrients.
• The natural nucleotide content in milk increases antibodies in the baby’s body and intestines, thereby killing disease-causing bacteria and improving the baby’s health.
• With abundant nutritional ingredients including various vitamins and essential minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, calcium, DHA, omega 3,… Similac Isomil IQ 1 helps children not only grow in balanced physical condition but also develop their brain better.

5. France Lait LF Formula

France Lait LF formula is a lactose-free milk from Régilait group, produced in 1947 in France. After more than 70 years of establishment and development, Régilait products are now widely distributed and trusted throughout Europe and worldwide, including Vietnam.

France Lait LF Formula

Product highlights:

• France Lait LF formula supports effective diarrhea treatment for children with a suitable whey/casein protein ratio along with the ingredient maltodextrin (instead of lactose) which is easier to absorb and digest.
• The milk supplements the necessary vitamins and minerals, most notably vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B group, potassium and iron, increasing antibodies in the body and intestines to help children improve their health.
• France Lait LF milk also contributes to improving physical condition, vision and intelligence in children, thereby bringing comprehensive development to children.

6. NAN AL110 Formula

NAN AL 110 formula is a Nestlé product – the leading Swiss group in the field of food and beverages for various target groups. With a history of more than 100 years and products known for their high quality, Nestlé is increasingly trusted by many consumers around the world.

NAN AL 110 Formula 400g (0 – 36 months)

Product highlights:

• NAN AL 110 formula is suitable for children from 0 – 3 years old.
• This NAN formula line is considered an effective solution for mothers with young children suffering from diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, indigestion thanks to its lactose- and sucrose-free whey protein content along with abundant nucleotides supporting increased resistance in the baby’s body.
• In addition, the formula also provides babies with enough essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium,… helping babies develop comprehensively in terms of height, weight and brain.

7. Aptamil Lactose Free

Aptamil Lactose Free belongs to the Aptamil UK milk line distributed by Nutricia – a leading European company in the field of infant and young child milk. Nutricia products are considered quite similar to breast milk in terms of quality and delicious taste, so they are trusted by many parents around the world.

Aptamil Lactose Free

Product highlights:

• Aptamil Lactose Free, with its completely lactose-free ingredients, is suitable for babies from 0 – 12 months who are lactose intolerant.
• The nucleotide content in the milk stimulates digestive enzymes to work effectively, thereby producing abundant probiotics in the intestines and optimizing the child’s nutrient absorption.
• Aptamil milk is also supplemented with calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K along with the LCPs fatty acid chain (DHA – omega 3) which both helps children grow tall and strengthens vision and brain, bringing intelligence and alertness to children later on.

8. Wakodo Bonlact I

Wakodo Bonlact I is produced by the leading milk and food company Wakodo in Japan. Wakodo milk products are trusted by many generations of Japanese people thanks to the modern and stringent production line that ensures quality and absolute safety during use.

Wakodo Bonlact I

Product highlights:

• Wakodo Bonlact I is supplemented with glucose from grapes, FOS fiber from fruits and dextrin ingredients to support the digestive system of children to work healthily, especially for children who often have diarrhea due to cow’s milk protein allergy.
• The milk contains a suitable amount of calcium to help the child’s bones and teeth become stronger and more solid, thereby creating conditions for effective height development in children.
• The DHA, ARA, and choline ingredients in milk also help children improve vision and intelligence, enhance perception and meet their need to explore the world during this stage.

9. I Am Mother No. 2 Formula

I Am Mother No. 2 formula is a product of Namyang Corporation – a leading research and development corporation specializing in dairy nutritional products in South Korea, established in 1964. Up to now, Namyang has continuously improved and launched nutritional products with optimal quality.

I Am Mother No. 2 Formula

Product highlights:

• I Am Mother No. 2 formula improves the digestive system of children thanks to the added anti-rotavirus IgY ingredient that reduces the activity of rotavirus causing diarrhea in children.
• The milk contains numerous ingredients that support the nervous system such as DHA, ARA, taurine, choline,… helping children develop their brains better and limiting brain-related problems commonly seen in children.
• Especially, the selenium and ceramide content in milk also supports children to increase resistance, bringing them good health and abundant energy to explore the surrounding world.

10. Pregestimil Lipil Formula

Pregestimil Lipil formula is a lactose-free milk from the Pregestimil brand of Mead Johnson – USA. With over 100 years of research and development, Mead Johnson’s products are still the top choice of many parents and nutrition experts worldwide.

Pregestimil Lipil Formula

Product highlights:

• Pregestimil Lipil formula, with fully hydrolyzed protein and no lactose, is especially suitable for babies allergic to cow’s milk protein or lactose intolerant.
• The high triglyceride content in milk helps babies absorb fat more easily and promotes effective physical growth.
• The lipil component easily seen in the name of the milk is a mixture of fats, DHA and ARA beneficial for the development of children’s vision and brain.

11. Goat Milk With Mom No. 1

Goat Milk With Mom No. 1 is a product of the With Mom milk brand, from the multinational corporation LOTTE, famous for quality products in various fields, from food and services to tourism and finance,… covering all over the world.

Goat Milk With Mom No. 1

Product highlights:

• Goat Milk With Mom No. 1 is produced with a special ingredient, EPS lactic acid, which inhibits rotavirus causing diarrhea in children, thereby improving the digestive system and helping babies absorb nutrients better.
• The milk is supplemented with abundant MCT – a type of fat that is easily absorbed and digested, creating conditions for children to develop physically quickly and evenly.
• The natural DHA content in milk also supports children to improve vision and intelligence, thereby increasing perception and exploration of the surrounding world.

12. Frisolac Gold Lactose Free

Frisolac Gold Lactose Free belongs to the Friso milk family, created by nutrition experts from the Friesland Campina corporation of the Netherlands. Friesland Campina nutritional products are famous for their excellent quality and stringent production process, ensuring absolute safety for mothers and babies during use.

Frisolac Gold Lactose Free

Product highlights:

• The product has a lactose- and sucrose-free formula suitable for children who often have diarrhea and related problems due to lactose intolerance.
• The cow’s milk protein contained in the product is easy to digest and absorb, and has a taste that is considered quite delicious and easy for children to drink.
• The abundant probiotics, vitamins and minerals content in the milk also helps babies increase resistance and develop physically evenly and quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lactose-Free Formula

1. Does lactose-free formula provide enough nutrients for babies?

Lactose-free milk is cow’s milk that has been supplemented with the lactase enzyme to digest lactose. This milk retains nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin D. This milk helps babies develop comprehensively like breast milk or formula.

2. Does lactose-free formula help with weight gain?

Lactose-free milk provides babies with enough nutrients like regular formula. This milk not only helps babies digest well but also helps them gain weight and develop comprehensively. Mothers should choose lactose-free milk for their babies if they are lactose intolerant.

3. How much lactose-free formula can newborns drink?

Babies should drink lactose-free milk in amounts appropriate for their age. Each age has different nutritional needs, so mothers need to adjust the milk for their babies so that they absorb it well and do not get an excess of nutrients.

4. Should I switch between many types of lactose-free formula?

Babies should not drink many types of lactose-free milk, especially babies under 1 year old. Each type of milk will have a different intestinal microflora, which takes time to adapt. A baby’s digestive system is weak, constantly drinking new types of milk will damage the microflora, causing digestive disorders and poor milk absorption, affecting the baby’s growth.

5. Does lactose-free milk clump or settle?

This milk has similar ingredients and texture to regular milk, so it can clump or settle. Mothers should use and store milk according to the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid this!

NAN Supremepro No. 2 Formula 800g (6 – 24 months) for babies allergic to cow’s milk protein