Is Dairy a Problem for Your Child? Here’s How to Tell

Some kids don’t feel their best after having milk, cheese, or yogurt — but it’s not always easy to spot. For some, the body doesn’t make enough of the enzyme lactase, which is needed to digest lactose (the sugar in dairy). This can lead to tummy aches, gas, or bloating. For others, it’s not about digestion at all — their immune system reacts to proteins in dairy, which can cause skin issues, congestion, or even mood changes.

Every child is different, and testing can help you understand whether dairy is causing stress in your child’s body — so you can make simple changes that really help.

How your child might signal a food sensitivity
- Changes in stool: mucus, undigested bits, unusual smell, constipation or structure that is every time different
- Hands on their belly or cramps after eating
- Refusing to drink breastmilk or bottle (it could be that the mother is eating something that triggers the baby)
- Restlessness: in their sleep or their body
- Eczema, red cheeks and sick often