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Lactose Intolerance in Kids and Teens

For parents

Lactose Intolerance in Kids and Teens

Talk to your pediatrician first. If you think your child or teen has trouble with dairy, a pediatrician can figure out what's going on. This page is general information only and isn't a way to diagnose your child. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that children with suspected lactose intolerance can be assessed by a clinician, for example through a supervised dairy elimination or a hydrogen breath test. [2]

Most babies digest lactose just fine. For many people, that changes gradually after infancy. [3] Here's what parents should know, from NIDDK, MedlinePlus and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

When can it start?

In lactase non-persistence, the small intestine makes less lactase after infancy, and lactase levels get lower with age. NIDDK says symptoms may not begin until later childhood, the teen years or early adulthood. [1]

Not every tummy ache is genetic

Lactose intolerance can also follow an injury to the small intestine, for example from an infection. This is called secondary lactose intolerance, and if the cause is treated, lactose may be tolerated again. [1] That's one more reason to check with your pediatrician instead of guessing.

What symptoms look like

Symptoms can include bloating, diarrhea, gas, nausea, belly pain, stomach rumbling and vomiting. They usually show up within a few hours of having lactose, and they can be mild or severe depending on how much lactose was eaten. [1] Milk allergy is different: it's an immune reaction. See lactose intolerance vs. milk allergy.

Dairy and growing bodies

The AAP supports dairy foods as an important source of calcium for bone health and of other nutrients that help children grow. If dairy is cut out, the AAP says other sources of calcium are needed. [2] Approaches the AAP describes include lactase-treated dairy products, oral lactase, limiting lactose-containing foods, or removing dairy. [2] Your pediatrician can help you choose. Lower-lactose foods like hard cheese and yogurt are options NIDDK lists. [4] See the cheese guide and the yogurt and kefir guide.

About Holy Cow! and kids

Holy Cow! is formulated for adults. Our product page does not list it for children or teens, [5] so we don't recommend it for anyone under 18 unless a doctor advises otherwise. Ask your pediatrician about what's right for your child.

What the research found

65% lower combined daily symptom scores with the studied strain versus placebo over two weeks.*

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of 21 lactose maldigesters (Ramakrishnan et al., 2025). [6] The study tested the strain, not the finished Holy Cow! product.

For adults: one capsule a day to support lactose digestion*

Holy Cow! is a once-daily probiotic + prebiotic. Take once daily in the morning, ideally on an empty stomach, with water. Keep your regular lactase routine for the first 21 days. We recommend continued daily use for best results.

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Sources

  1. NIDDK. Symptoms & causes of lactose intolerance. niddk.nih.gov
  2. Heyman MB; American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition. Lactose intolerance in infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2006;118(3):1279–1286. PMID 16951027
  3. MedlinePlus Genetics. Lactose intolerance. U.S. National Library of Medicine. medlineplus.gov
  4. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Eating, diet, & nutrition for lactose intolerance. niddk.nih.gov
  5. Holy Cow! Once-Daily Lactose Digestion Support product page. getholycow.com
  6. Ramakrishnan M, et al. Gut Microbes Reports. 2025. doi:10.1080/29933935.2025.2508199. PMC12940102

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

This page is general information, not medical advice. Lactose intolerance is not the same as a milk allergy; if you have a milk allergy, talk to your doctor. Lactaid® is a registered trademark of its owner. Holy Cow! is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Lactaid or its owner.