The benefits of breastfeeding are numerous and undisputed. It creates a healthier immune system that not only protects baby from numerous infectious diseases, it also lowers the risk of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, allergies, and asthma. Breastfeeding improves intellectual and visual development and can result in a higher IQ for the child. Moms who breastfeed also enjoy a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer. And these are just a few of the benefits we know about; there are likely numerous other advantages we have not yet discovered. Despite these benefits, some new moms find themselves confronted with challenges that put long-term breastfeeding at risk. One such condition is infant colic.
Infant colic is a challenging condition that affects about twenty percent of babies. The months of painful crying take a considerable toll on new parents and can cause feelings of inadequacy, frustration, and post-partum depression. Breastfeeding moms have classically been advised to switch to a hypoallergenic formula because the colicky baby is allergic to her breast milk. Although this change may improve the colic, it robs the infant of the unique advantages that breast milk provides. A new treatment for colic that helps baby digest mom’s milk now eliminates the need to discontinue breastfeeding and allows moms and babies to enjoy an extended breastfeeding relationship.
Research has revealed a newly-recognized cause of colic called Transient Lactase Deficiency, or TLD. In this condition, a baby is born with inadequate production of the intestinal digestive enzyme lactase, which is necessary to digest the lactose sugar in breast milk (as well as the sugar in cow’s milk formula). The undigested lactose milk sugars are fermented by intestinal bacteria, creating excess gas, painful intestinal bloating, and colicky symptoms. Infants who have colic and TLD therefore are not “allergic” to mom’s breast milk; they simply need assistance digesting the milk sugars. Lactase digestive enzyme drops specifically formulated for infants (Colief Infant Drops) are now available in the United States without a prescription. Added to each feeding, these drops digest 70% of the lactose sugar in a feed, allowing the baby’s own lactase enzymes to do the rest of the job and avoid the gas pain, bloating, and colicky symptoms. I have been using lactase enzyme drops in my office for two years now, and I’ve seen them make a significant different in about half of my patients with colic.
Breastfeeding moms now have one more very effective tool to help solve their baby’s colic, and they no longer have in resort to switching to special formulas. Lactase digestive enzyme drops will improve colicky symptoms within 48 hours if the infant has TLD. Infants who do respond can continue the drops until four months of age. Research has shown that TLD will begin to resolve by that age as the infant’s own lactase enzyme production increases, and the infant then weans off the drops. Mom can continue long-term breastfeeding and everyone can reap the myriad health benefits that breast milk provides.
Dr. Bob Sears
Pediatrician and Author
Breastfeeding lowers the risk of diabetes, allergies, and asthma: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22946851
Allergies and asthma: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7564787
Breastfeeding and intellectual development: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1346280
Breastfeeding and visual development: Chapman DJ
Breastfeeding and visual development of children. J Hum Lact. 2007 Aug;23(3):287-8.
Breastfeeding protects moms against breast cancer: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3740036
Breastfeeding protects moms against ovarian cancer: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23283498
Colic affects 20% of infants: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22823993 – note – this study actually says 30%. Studies vary. I went with 20%, but I can’t find that study right now.
Research shows TLD improves with lactase enzyme drops: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=improvement+of+symptoms+in+infant+colic+following+reduction+of+lactose+load+with+lactase